Obama slams Trump for politicizing DOJ
Former President Obama criticized President Trump on Friday for politicizing the Department of Justice, saying that members of both parties should be concerned with that behavior.
Obama’s remarks were critical of a tweet the president wrote criticizing the Justice Department for investigations of two Republican congressman. Trump criticized Justice’s actions, saying they would make it more difficult for Republicans to hold the House.
{mosads}”It should not be Democratic or Republican, it should not be a partisan issue, to say that we do not pressure the attorney general or the FBI to use the criminal justice system as a cudgel to punish our political opponents,” Obama said during a speech at the University of Illinois.
“Or to explicitly call on the attorney general to protect members of our own party from prosecution because an election happens to be coming up,” he added.
OBAMA: “It should not be a partisan issue to say that we do not pressure the AG or the FBI to use the criminal justice system as a cudgel to punish our political opponents, or to explicitly call on the AG to protect members of our own party from prosecution…not a hypothetical!” pic.twitter.com/EQ6HbsJ3S9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 7, 2018
Trump had been critical of the Justice Department and Attorney General Jeff Sessions for indicting two Republicans, Reps. Duncan Hunter (Calif.) and Chris Collins (N.Y.).
“Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department,” Trump tweeted. “Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff.”
Trump has also urged investigations of his political opponents, including Hillary Clinton.
“There is so much GUILT by Democrats/Clinton, and now the facts are pouring out. DO SOMETHING!” Trump tweeted last year.
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