Former White House prosecutor Mark Paoletta said on social media Thursday that President-elect Donald Trump will use the Justice Department “not to use it for political purposes, but to carry out his own policies.” He said it would be.
Paoletta served as general counsel to former Vice President Mike Pence and general counsel for the Office of Management and Budget during the Trump administration, but in response to an interview with a CNN reporter, the Department of Justice said, “Historically, the Department of Justice It has been functioning as a ministry.” independent entity. ”
“The Constitution gives the elected president all executive powers, including the Department of Justice. We will not tolerate institutions that are not accountable,” Paoletta wrote to X.
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Paoletta cited Chief Justice John Roberts' opinion in Trump v. United States, which held that former presidents enjoy effective immunity from prosecution for official acts they committed while in office, but immunity for unofficial acts. It was held that no. “The Constitution vests all executive power in the President,” Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.
He continued, “The president has a duty to oversee what types of cases the Justice Department should focus on, and he can intervene to direct the Department on specific cases. He is the duly elected chief executive and has every right to ensure the integrity of the executive branch.” Implementing his agenda, including the Department of Justice. ”
Former White House prosecutor Mark Paoletta said Thursday on X-TV that President-elect Donald Trump will use the Justice Department “not to use it for political purposes, but to carry out his own policies.” I made it clear that I was deaf. (Reuters/Evelyn Hochstein)
Paoletta then gave an example of how President Trump could leverage the Department of Justice during his next term, saying he would “significantly increase resources to prosecute criminals at the highest prosecution levels and seek the maximum sentences.” “Instructing the Department of Justice to “instruct the Department of Justice to take action,'' and expand resources to fight deportations and “anti-sanctuary.'' Cities that defy and obstruct federal law enforcement efforts. ”
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But Paoletta made it clear that despite these actions, President Trump has no intention of using the Justice Department for “political purposes.”
Paoletta wrote that “just because you are a political opponent” does not give you “a free pass to break the law.”
But former White House prosecutor Mark Paoletta made it clear that despite these actions, President-elect Donald Trump has no intention of using the Justice Department for “political purposes.” (Getty)
In contrast, Paoletta said, Democrats “pursued President Trump only to punish him because he was a political enemy,” adding, “They fabricated crimes, twisted laws, abused their authority and power, and all that. “It was to stop and destroy President Trump.”
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“The President should oversee and direct the Department of Justice to implement his agenda, which was voted on and supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans on November 5th,” Paoletta wrote.
The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it is seeking to wind down two federal criminal cases against Trump ahead of his second term.
The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it is seeking to wind down two federal criminal cases against President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his second term. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Justice Department officials cited a 2000 Office of the General Counsel memo, a Watergate-era memo that argues that the Justice Department's investigation of a sitting president violates separation of powers. supports the claim.
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President Trump was also indicted at the state level after his first term in office, in addition to two federal lawsuits filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
FOX News' Brianne Despiche contributed to this report.
