Justice Department Proves Independence By Obeying Trump Immediately
President Donald Trump celebrated the Justice Department’s independence Monday after federal officials pursued nearly every political opponent he publicly identified for punishment. Ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche oversaw actions targeting Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, former FBI Director James Comey, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson and other figures appearing on the president’s televised criminal wish list. Officials described the coordinated activity as a coincidence produced by facts, law and the extraordinary efficiency of prosecutors monitoring Trump’s remarks in real time.
“Nobody has ever seen justice this independent, because I tell them exactly who should be investigated and they make their own decision to investigate that person immediately,” Trump said. “Sometimes they decide before I finish talking, which shows they are not taking orders. They are taking very strong suggestions from the president.” Bondi said the department remained insulated from political pressure by a rigorous internal process under which Trump names a target, aides explain why the target deserves prison, and prosecutors independently select the appropriate stationery. White House officials denied directing cases, noting that presidential demands are conveyed as patriotic opportunities rather than formal commands.
The department also retired its traditional pre-election caution period, an antiquated policy from the era when prosecutors worried that raids, indictments and voting lawsuits might influence elections. Under the modernized approach, law enforcement will assist voters by identifying suspicious candidates before ballots are cast and determining whether unfavorable polling constitutes probable cause. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the initiative as proof that government weaponization has ended now that the weapon is pointed in the correct direction. Officials added that any investigation benefiting Trump is presumptively apolitical because Trump’s interests and the national interest have been consolidated for administrative convenience.
Critics called the timing brazen, prompting officials to consider a preliminary inquiry into whether criticism of politically timed investigations amounts to obstruction of politically timed investigations. The department expects to restore public confidence by Election Day, provided voters choose correctly, grand juries remain cooperative and judges stop treating evidence as mandatory. By carrying out the president’s demands without requiring him to issue written orders, the Justice Department has conclusively established its independence.
* None of the quotes in this article were spoken by an actual person. More info.