Washington, D.C. — Tomorrow, the independent Federal Judges Association is holding an emergency meeting to address growing concerns about the intervention of President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Barr in politically sensitive federal cases. This follows a statement signed by more than 2,000 former Justice Department officials calling for Barr’s resignation. In response, Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has attacked judges he disagrees with and attempted to use the Justice Department for his personal benefit. The politicization of our legal system is a threat to the well-being of American democracy. Despite being the first president ever impeached with a majority of the country supporting his impeachment, and having faced the first bipartisan Senate vote for removal, President Trump has only increased his abuses of power and corruption.
The Republicans in Congress who voted to cover up for him have also made themselves responsible for everything he does going forward. And in Attorney General Bill Barr, Trump has found a more than willing partner in crime. It is time for Barr to resign and for the Senate to demand a new attorney general who will put the rule of law first. While the threat that Trump poses to the legitimacy of the legal system will remain, a truly independent attorney general will serve as a powerful check on some of this administration’s worst impulses.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected], or 202-478-6327.