When an AG was a president's lawyer, how can the Justice Department's independence be guaranteed?

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The Justice Department’s independence can only be protected if formal safeguards are stronger than any one attorney general’s personal ties to a president. A prior role as the president’s lawyer does not automatically disqualify someone, but it creates an obvious conflict risk that must be managed through enforceable recusals, transparency, and oversight. The most immediate protection is mandatory recusal from any matter involving the president, the president’s family, former clients, campaign entities, or issues tied to prior legal representation. Those recusals should be written, public where possible, and monitored by career ethics officials. If an attorney general has recently represented a president personally, the department’s designated ethics officers and, where necessary, outside review should determine the scope of those recusals. Independence also depends on institutional checks. Senate confirmation scrutiny matters because senators can demand commitments on recusals, contacts with the White House, and respect for career prosecutors. Congressional oversight, inspectors general, and court review are critical when there are allegations of politically motivated investigations, special treatment in tax or criminal matters, or unusual settlement arrangements. Inside the department, the strongest buffer is the career civil service. Longstanding norms limit White House involvement in specific criminal cases, and departures from those norms should be documented and disclo…

Schiff Opposes Todd Blanche’s AG Confirmation Over $1.776 Billion Trump Supporter Fund

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Schiff Opposes Todd Blanche’s AG Confirmation Over $1.776 Billion Trump Supporter Fund

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