Trump urges DOJ to prosecute political opponents, drawing criticism

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to press the Justice Department to prosecute his political opponents, escalating calls critics say amount to pressuring law enforcement for political ends.

Trump named former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who led his first impeachment trial, in a post addressed to Bondi. He argued that the delay is harming the country’s reputation and credibility and complained that nothing is being done to pursue those figures.

Trump later praised Bondi, saying she was doing a great job, and that he had reviewed more than 30 statements suggesting a pattern of inaction. He asserted that Comey, Schiff and James are guilty, but emphasized that action must follow. Democrats quickly criticized the remarks; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN that turning the DOJ into a tool against perceived enemies would undermine civil service norms and could threaten democracy if institutions are weaponized for political ends.

The remarks came as the Justice Department saw personnel changes. Federal prosecutor Erik Siebert left his post a day earlier after Trump demanded his resignation, citing what he described as a failure to pursue Letitia James on mortgage-fraud allegations. The New York Times reported that Siebert told senior DOJ officials investigations had not produced enough evidence to prosecute James. James, a Democrat who won a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump in 2023, has denied the mortgage-fraud claims as baseless and motivated by revenge.

Trump said Siebert was fired, not quit, and he named Lindsey Halligan as a replacement he recommended for the Eastern District of Virginia to move cases forward. He also praised Bondi and said she would be able to advance prosecutions, including among the ranks of prosecutors connected to ongoing probes.

During his campaign, Trump had pledged to seek revenge against many perceived political enemies, including President Joe Biden. He has revoked the security clearances of several officials, including James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the hush-money case against him. He has fired several prosecutors who worked for Special Counsel Jack Smith on two criminal probes against him, and he has taken steps against law firms tied to investigations involving him, including the firm that employed former Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Experts note that the remarks underscore Trump’s approach to leverage the justice system in political fights, a stance that intersects with his ongoing legal challenges. Supporters view the calls as a hard line against perceived enemies, while opponents warn that pressuring the DOJ risks eroding its independence and impartiality.