Dem
47
GOP
53
"Attorney General" Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, ostensibly so the Committee could perform its oversight responsibilities. Instead, Bondi performed, as all Donald Trump underlings do, for an audience of one and hurled pre-written personal insults at the Democratic senators as soon as they dared ask her a question, no matter the topic or how innocuous or legitimate the question. For example, when she was asked for the legal rationale for the national guard deployment to Chicago, she ignored the question (multiple times) and responded with false accusations. It was a juvenile and embarrassing display but, frankly, one that probably best showcases her priorities and her intention to continue to abuse the awesome power of that office. The U.S. has endured, and survived, some corrupt Attorneys General—John Mitchell comes to mind. But they understood they were breaking the law and so at least had the good sense to try to cover up their crimes.
Here, the brazenness of the corruption may be more disturbing than the acts themselves. Bondi was open about her contempt for the Senate, her voice dripping with condescension. Congress, at least on paper, is a co-equal branch of government and it is their duty to ensure that the Executive Branch is carrying out its responsibilities lawfully. Bondi couldn't care less. She answers to one man—not the American people and certainly not to Senate Democrats. One remark was telling: When asked if Trump's post on social media about indicting former FBI director James Comey was a directive, she replied that Trump has been open about his wish for years. In other words, she understood her marching orders long before that post, you silly Senator. Why do you think she got this gig? She is truly frightening because it's clear she doesn't care what the law says. She is probably telling ICE and the National Guard to do whatever they want in American cities. Breaking into people's homes without a warrant or probable cause and beating people up? Don't worry about it because we won't hold you accountable. It's open season—see what you can get away with.
Republicans must see how dangerous and incompetent she is, and that they should get her out. But they're either too cowardly or too interested in protecting their own turf to stop her. After all, they managed to stomach Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., so they probably figure she's no worse.
Meanwhile, the prosecutors who are left trying to defend Trump's illegal actions continue to embarrass themselves in court. A federal judge in Oregon had to issue two orders before the DoJ finally halted the deployment of the national guard to Portland. U.S. district court judge Karin Immergut issued an order over the weekend enjoining Trump's ordering of the Oregon National Guard to Portland, saying that there was no evidence of any criminal activity that couldn't be handled by local police. So, what did Trump do? He tried to call up the California National Guard to Portland. After all, the California National Guard isn't the Oregon National Guard, and Immergut only told him he could not use the Oregon National Guard as his personal police force. So, late Sunday night, the Judge had to issue a second order effectively saying "no" means "no"—The situation on the ground does not justify sending federal troops to Portland. And what did DoJ prosecutors do? Did they apologize profusely for their client's behavior? To the contrary. They tried to defend his actions by claiming that the judge's order wasn't clear, and that they thought she was only referring to the Oregon National Guard.
And, while on this general subject, another U.S. Attorney looks like she'll be declared ineligible for that office. Former FBI director James Comey will be arraigned on Wednesday, after which his defense team will likely bring several motions to dismiss, including one that argues that Lindsey Halligan cannot serve as U.S. Attorney. It gets a little weedy, but Eric Seibert, whom Trump had tapped as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was appointed as an interim U.S. Attorney while he awaited Senate confirmation. He can only serve 120 days in that capacity, after which the district court appoints someone, assuming the Senate hasn't acted. Seibert exhausted those 120 days and, under the law, Trump can't appoint anyone else as an interim U.S. Attorney. So, when he sacked Seibert, the Court should have stepped in to name someone. Trump could not legally appoint Halligan. So, if she's unauthorized, then any indictments she secured have to be dismissed. And she's the only one who signed the Comey indictment. And if that's dismissed, they can't refile because they waited until the last moment, and now the statute of limitations has run out. Oops. All the best people, indeed.
The DoJ has long enjoyed a well-earned reputation for integrity and professionalism and candor. There was a "presumption of regularity" in court submissions. It took decades to build up that reputation and just months to destroy it. Assuming we see a qualified, ethical and competent AG in the future, he or she will have a tough time restoring that reputation. (L)