Exclusive: Prominent Republicans slam Trump for "abuses of power"
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies on Oct. 7 at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Department of Justice. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
A mostly Republican group of leaders past and present on Wednesday accused President Trump of using "the power of law enforcement" to go after Americans he has a "personal animus" against.
Why it matters: The statement, given exclusively to Axios, was signed by nearly 40 people who have had prominent roles in the fields of law, government and national security.
- It comes amid growing pressure from Trump and his allies on the DOJ to prosecute his rivals, including former FBI Director James Comey.
What they're saying "Whenever one believes politicization of justice started, there's no question that it has entered a new and disturbing chapter. It must end now," per the statement that's signed by George W. Bush-era DOJ leader Peter Keisler and Donald Ayer, who served as deputy attorney general in the George H.W. Bush administration, among others.
- "These abuses of power threaten the safety and rights of every American, as well as the stability of our economy," adds the statement that's also from former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R) and ex-Massachusetts Gov. William Weld (R).
- "Democrats, Republicans, and independents all lose when the sword of the government is wielded arbitrarily against its own people," per the letter that the Clinton-appointed retired federal Judge Judge Nancy Gertner and the Obama-appointed former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade also signed.
- "We must unite to defend the America we love, in which such a thing is unthinkable."
Context: Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who led Trump's first impeachment inquiry, is reportedly under DOJ review following an alleged mortgage fraud referral.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) also faces potential prosecution for supposed mortgage fraud, after her $465 million civil fraud case against Trump, which was later tossed out on appeal.
- The president has also flagged ex-FBI Director Christopher Wray, former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton and Democratic donor George Soros as potential targets.
The other side: Trump and his allies say the action has been taken as part of his goals of rooting out government officials working within what he calls the "deep state."
- In response to an emailed request for comment, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said: "Oh no, not a statement from a bunch of washed up politicians no one has ever heard of repeating the same old phony liberal talking points as MSDNC. How will we ever recover?" She noted she was being sarcastic.
Read the statement in full, via DocumentCloud:
Go deeper: Trump allies expand political enemies probe despite pledges
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
