Corker knocks Trump over ‘totally inappropriate’ Justice Department remarks

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) is firing back at President Trump over his push for the Justice Department to investigate Democrats and Hillary Clinton.

“President Trump’s pressuring of the Justice Department and FBI to pursue cases against his adversaries and calling for punishment before trials take place are totally inappropriate,” Corker said in a statement.

He added that the president’s remarks “not only undermine our justice system but erode the American people’s confidence in our institutions.”

Like me, most Americans hope that our justice system is independent and free of political interference. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/R4WrhSPQz3

— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) November 3, 2017 

The statement by Corker — who is not seeking reelection in 2018 and has been a vocal critic of Trump — comes after the president told reporters earlier Friday that he was “disappointed” in the Justice Department for not investigating Clinton.

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“I’m really not involved with the Justice Department. I’d like to let it run itself, but honestly, they should be looking at the Democrats,” he said.

Trump, when questioned if he would fire Sessions, added that he wasn’t sure.

The president is increasingly turning his fire on Clinton and Democrats after former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Donna Brazile wrote, in a released excerpt from her new book, about a deal between Clinton’s 2016 campaign and the DNC aimed at keeping the party financially viable.

“At some point the Justice Department, and the FBI, must do what is right and proper,” Trump tweeted.

But Corker took issue with that on Friday countering that the Justice Department should be “independent.”

Corker’s statement on Friday is the latest example of his increasingly public criticism of the president.

The two men publicly feuded ahead of a Senate GOP lunch with Trump late last month.

Trump lashed out at Corker, saying he refused to endorse the GOP senator who is retiring after 2018.

Corker fired back, signaling he regretted supporting Trump in the 2016 election and thought the president wasn’t a role model for children.