Trump calls on Justice Department to prosecute his political opponents

(Patria) - President Donald Trump has called on the country's top law enforcement official, Attorney General Pam Bondi, to more aggressively investigate his political opponents, the BBC reported.

In a social media post directed at Bondi, he said: "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility."

Trump expressed frustration that "nothing is being done," before calling on Bondi to investigate former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who oversaw his first impeachment trial. Shortly thereafter, he reiterated a post in which he praised Bondi, saying she "does a great job".

"I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts that say, in essence, it's the same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam 'Shirty' Schiff, Letitia??? They are all guilty as sin, but nothing will be done," Trump said on Saturday.

His statement was sharply criticized by Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said it was "a path to dictatorship".

"The Department of Justice has always been a very, very strong public service, regardless of who was in power, Democrat or Republican. They prosecuted lawbreakers without fear or favor," he told CNN on Sunday. "He is turning it into an instrument to prosecute his enemies, whether they are guilty or not," he said of the president.

Asked about his comments yesterday, Trump said: "They have to act. They have to act quickly."

"I think Pam Bondi will go down as one of the greatest attorneys general of all time."

The presidential call came a day after federal prosecutor Erik Siebert resigned after Trump said he wanted him to resign because he had not initiated criminal proceedings against New York Attorney General Letitia James for allegations of mortgage fraud.

The New York Times reported that Siebert told senior Justice Department officials that their investigations had not uncovered sufficient evidence to prosecute James.

James, a Democrat who won a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump in 2023, denied the mortgage fraud allegations as "baseless" and motivated by "revenge".

On Saturday, Trump said Siebert was fired and did not resign. "I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE, and many lawyers and legal experts say so," he said.

Trump also praised Bondi and said he had nominated a replacement for Siebert. "She is very careful, very smart, loves our country, but needs a tough prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, like... My recommendation, Lindsey Halligan, to get things moving," he said.

During his election campaign, Trump promised to take revenge on many political enemies, including former President Joe Biden, and others who opposed him.

He revoked security clearances, which allow access to classified material, for several officials, including James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the hush-money case.

He fired several prosecutors who worked for Special Counsel Jack Smith in two criminal investigations against him, took action against law firms with lawyers involved in investigations into charges against him, including the firm that employed former Special Counsel Robert Mueller.