Trump spikes football at Justice Department
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
President Trump speaks at the Justice Department March 14. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Trump paid his first visit to the Department of Justice Friday and denounced the prosecutors who once worked out of this office.
Why it matters: Despite Trump's decisive November victory, he won't let go of his grievances over his federal criminal cases, which have been dismissed. He didn't announce any new policies in a more than hour-long speech.
- "The case against me was bullshit," Trump, referring to the indictment over mishandling classified documents, said to laughter in The Great Hall of the Justice Department. He praised Judge Aileen Cannon, who oversaw the federal case and dismissed it before the election.
- For a president given to making and creating superlatives, his off-the-cuff campaign-style speech was unlike any other ever given by an occupant of the White House at the department.
State of play: It's highly unusual for a sitting president to speak at the Justice Department, but Trump's visit marks the latest victory stop on his revenge tour since taking office. He went from federal defendant in two criminal cases to the leader of the executive branch firing the prosecutors who indicted him.
- His remarks were reminiscent of a campaign speech at times, as he outlined his grievances against the Biden administration and prosecutors involved in cases against him, and derided what he views as the weaponization of the department.
- He accused former President Biden of being part of a "crime" family.
- Trump also said it's "illegal" for TV networks to cover him in what he believes is a disproportionately negative way.
Trump boasted about his administration's immigration crackdown, and he pledged to fight gangs and halt the flow of deadly fentanyl into the U.S.
- Trump also attacked "Deranged Jack Smith," the special prosecutor who investigated him.
- He praised Cannon, an appointee from his first term who he said he's never spoken to, as "brilliant."
- But this time, instead of speaking to a crowd of voters, he spoke before Justice Department officials, many of whom he hand picked.
Zoom in: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who served as one of Trump's criminal defense attorneys, spoke Friday and mentioned "the partisan prosecutors, the complete and utter lawfare."
Zoom out: Trump vowed to stack the Justice Department with loyalists during his 2024 presidential campaign. His first nominee for AG, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fl.), withdrew from consideration for the role under intense scrutiny from both parties.
- Trump upon taking office dismissed the DOJ employees who worked on his two criminal prosecutions with Smith.
- Trump also faced criminal indictments in Georgia and New York, where he was convicted and received a no-penalty sentence.
- His 70-minute speech ended with the playing of Village People's "YMCA," a song the Trump campaign often played.
Go deeper: Scoop: Trump plans "law and order" speech at DOJ
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.
