Trump pressures Justice Department amid scandals

President Donald Trump's Justice Department faces a turbulent week marked by investigations into political foes and internal frustrations. Attorney General Pam Bondi is under scrutiny as Trump pushes for aggressive pursuits against his critics. Resignations and probes highlight deepening tensions within the administration.

The Justice Department under President Donald Trump has encountered a particularly chaotic period, with multiple investigations targeting perceived adversaries and sparking resignations among prosecutors.

Reports emerged that federal prosecutors are investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell over his testimony related to Fed renovation costs, though sources suggest the real motive stems from Trump's dissatisfaction with interest rate policies. The White House attempted to distance itself from the probe, attributing it to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro acting independently, despite Trump's long-standing pressure on Powell.

Separately, five Democratic lawmakers face scrutiny for a video they posted last year, encouraging troops to disregard illegal orders—a clip Trump labeled "seditious." The Pentagon has also been pressuring Senator Mark Kelly for months. In another case, DOJ prosecutors resigned amid demands to investigate the widow of Renee Good, killed by ICE in Minneapolis, rather than the incident itself.

A Wall Street Journal article revealed Trump's growing frustration with Attorney General Pam Bondi, describing an intense campaign to compel the department to target his enemies more aggressively. During a recent White House photo op with U.S. attorneys, Trump reportedly berated them for being "weak" and not "moving fast enough to prosecute his favored targets."

Trump's history of clashes with attorneys general who fail to align with his directives suggests Bondi may face ongoing challenges to retain her position. These developments underscore a pattern of using the DOJ to advance personal and political agendas, raising concerns about institutional independence.

Related Articles

Courtroom scene showing a judge criticizing prosecutors in the James Comey case, with legal documents and intense atmosphere.
Image generated by AI

Judge rebukes DOJ over handling of Comey case, orders records turned over

Reported by AI Image generated by AI Fact checked

At a Nov. 5 hearing in Alexandria, Va., a federal magistrate judge criticized prosecutors in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey and ordered the Justice Department to swiftly turn over investigative and grand-jury materials, as disputes over evidence handling and privilege intensified.

The Trump administration has launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of lying to Congress about headquarters renovations. Powell calls the allegations pretexts to force interest rate cuts. The probe escalates tensions as the Supreme Court prepares to hear a related case on Fed independence.

Reported by AI

A group of U.S. senators has called for an explanation from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding his decision to disband a cryptocurrency enforcement team while holding significant digital assets. The move, detailed in a memo last April, has raised concerns about potential violations of federal conflict-of-interest laws. The Campaign Legal Center has also filed a complaint urging an internal DOJ investigation.

Alina Habba, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, has resigned as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey after a federal appeals court ruled that her appointment violated federal vacancies law. She said she was stepping down to protect the office’s integrity while continuing to serve in a new advisory role at the Justice Department.

Reported by AI

Six Democratic senators have accused Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche of a glaring conflict of interest in shutting down cryptocurrency enforcement efforts. A ProPublica investigation revealed that Blanche held at least $159,000 in crypto-related assets when he issued the order. The senators demand details on how his actions were cleared ethically.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has alleged that Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department misclassified crime reports in ways that made the city appear safer than it was. Her comments follow a months‑long federal review of crime data and come amid heightened scrutiny of public safety in the nation’s capital.

Reported by AI

Lindsey Halligan, a former aide to President Trump with no prosecutorial experience, has departed her interim role as U.S. attorney for eastern Virginia following rulings that deemed her appointment unlawful. The move ends a contentious tenure marked by failed indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Federal judges cited violations of legal appointment processes in their decisions.

 

 

 

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline