Former prosecutors condemn ‘takeover of the DoJ’ but say chance of success could be tainted by president’s comments
Donald Trump’s public and private push to have ex-FBI director James Comey indicted on criminal charges is a strong sign of the US slipping into authoritarianism, but it could also taint the case’s chances of success because it is evidence of a selective and biased political prosecution, ex-prosecutors and scholars say.
Trump’s retribution drive against an old foe he blames for legal and political problems notched a big win when Comey was indicted last week on two criminal counts in Virginia.
It followed a remarkable series of public moves by Trump seeking Comey’s indictment that sparked a firestorm of criticism. Trump pressured the US attorney in eastern Virginia Erik Siebert to resign after he had indicated the case against Comey was weak, and then tapped White House adviser Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump defense lawyer who lacked prosecutorial experience to replace him. In an usual move, Halligan was the only prosecutor who signed the charges in a meager two-page document.
Trump’s push for Comey’s indictment also involved his tough prodding of Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, on Truth Social to move fast given a looming five-year statute of limitations deadline.
