Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara spoke out in favor of members of the “deep state,” suggesting the theory is really a description of career professionals who try to uphold the law and “just do what’s right.”
“By deep state, if you mean professionals who are consummate professionals, who understand what continuity means, who understand what the Constitution is. Who don’t care about party, who don’t care about politics, who just do what’s right and honor the law and honor the Constitution,” Bharara told Bill Maher on his HBO show, and added in jest: “Then God bless the deep state.”
Bharara, who was fired by President Trump last year after refusing to resign, said that while it “would not be great” to lose top officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA, he believed the existing staff would be able to continue its work.
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Trump and conservative lawmakers have slammed the so-called deep state, alleging that officials in the Department of Justice are biased against Trump and are attempting to undermine his presidency.
Bharara also offered some praise to FBI Director Christopher Wray, saying the country “accidentally got a great person” to head the agency, but added that Wray could do more to defend the institution.
“They’re sort of walking the line, trying to defend their institution and doing what’s right,” Bharara said of Department of Justice officials like Wray and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
“And also placating a guy who gets angry and upset and could fire them on a whim,” he added of the president.