Tag: Trump attack on law enforcement

Sessions Silent as Trump Attacks His Department, Risking Independence and Morale

The following article by Katie Benner was posted on the New York Times website February 4, 2018:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, left, in Washington last week with his top leaders, Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, and Rachel Brand, the associate attorney general. Credit Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters

WASHINGTON — As President Trump hammers away at the Justice Department’s credibility, one voice has been notably absent in the department’s defense: the one at the top.

The attorney general, Jeff Sessions, has been largely quiet and even yielding as the president leads the most public and prolonged political attack on the department in history, a silence that breaks with a long tradition of attorneys general protecting the institution from such interference.

“What is unusual is the F.B.I. and the Justice Department being attacked, the president leading the charge and the attorney general missing in action,” said Jack L. Goldsmith, a Harvard law professor who headed the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel under President George W. Bush. “Why isn’t he sticking up for the department?” Continue reading “Sessions Silent as Trump Attacks His Department, Risking Independence and Morale”

Gowdy: ‘I don’t’ think Rosenstein should be fired

The following article by Rebecca Morin was posted on the Politico website February 4, 2018:

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) said: “I think it is fair to ask the deputy attorney general, ‘What did you know at the time you signed one of the applications?'” Credit: AP Photo

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) said Sunday he doesn’t think Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein should be fired.

Rosenstein oversees special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe on whether Russia colluded with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Gowdy, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that it concerns him that Trump’s confidence in Rosenstein is faltering. He added: “The president has not sought my counsel on this.” Continue reading “Gowdy: ‘I don’t’ think Rosenstein should be fired”