Anderson Cooper asks whether US institutions are ‘strong enough’ to survive Trump attacks

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper asked if American institutions were “strong enough” to survive persistent attacks from President Trump.

Cooper was discussing Trump’s latest criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Justice Department (DOJ) on Monday night.

Norman Eisen, former White House ethics czar for President Obama, said that Trump is trying to delegitimize law enforcement agencies to discredit the investigations against him.

{mosads}“Democracy is more powerful than this autocracy,” Eisen said on Monday night. “And it’s coming for Donald Trump so he’s pushing back.”

“You really believe that though? That the institutions are stronger than- or strong enough to resist this kind of thing from the president of the United States?” Cooper asked.

“I do, Anderson,” Eisen said. “In every case, sooner or later, every dog gets its day. And sooner or later, democracy is more powerful including because the rule of law.”

Trump blasted the DOJ over criminal charges that were brought against two GOP congressmen in recent weeks.

Trump suggested that Sessions and DOJ officials were hurting the GOP ahead of the November midterm elections by bringing charges against Reps. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).

Collins is facing insider trading charges. Hunter is facing charges for allegedly misusing campaign funds. 

“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,” he added.

Trump faced backlash for his comments, including from two GOP senators who have been vocal critics of the president.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) condemned the attack on Monday, saying the president was trying to use the DOJ to “settle political scores.”

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) warned Trump that the United States is “not some banana republic.”