Former Department of Justice officials are “stunned” at what they are seeing today. Pres. Trump openly urged AG Pam Bondi to indict two of his political opponents. The US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia resigned under pressure to cook up some basis for indicting James Coney. Other Federal prosecutors in Maryland, Georgia and western Virginia – who are also dealing with politically sensitive investigations – may soon face similar political pressure.
Erik Seibert, the former US Attorney for the eastern District of Virginia was pressed by the President to indict James Coney and Letitia James, the New York Attorney General. Mr. Seibert, however, was forced to resign after he declined to issue such indictments. Former US Attorney Carol Lam pointed out that in prior administrations, these sort of events would have prompted Congressional investigations and Inspector General filings. Added Ms. Lam, “We’ve never seen anything even approaching this level of interference with the day-to-day job of prosecutors.”
Pres. Trump’s open message to AG Bondi to prosecute soon Comey and others was “shocking” to anyone who has ever worked at the Dept. of Justice, said former US Attorney Barbara McQuade.
Federal prosecutors in Maryland are probing alleged mortgage fraud by Sen. Adam Schiff and alleged violations of classified information by John Bolton. Overseeing the cases is career prosecutor Kelly O. Hayes. Pres. Trump appointed Hayes interim US Attorney in Maryland. Hayes has met in recent weeks with Ed Martin, a political appointee at DOJ and fervent Trump loyalist. See ABA Bar Journal report here for more information.