Mark Paoletta said Thursday that the president is responsible for overseeing and directing the operations of the Department of Justice (DOJ), and has historically done so.
Paoletta, a former Trump administration official and senior fellow at the Center for American Renewal, responded to comments by a CNN personality on election night, saying that left-wingers say the Justice Department has historically somehow operated independently of presidential oversight. Quoted conventional wisdom.
“The CNN reporter is constitutionally and historically wrong,” he said, adding, “The Constitution gives the elected president all executive powers, including the Department of Justice.” He is responsible for overseeing the Department of Justice, including on specific cases as needed.
“Our system does not allow for unaccountable agencies.”
He cited Chief Justice Roberts' opinion. us vs trumpIt says, “The Constitution vests all executive power in the president.''
Paoletta provided a compelling history lesson about presidents dating back to George Washington.
There are many examples dating back to its founding days, such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson vigorously instructing prosecutors whether to start or drop specific cases. More recently (post-Nixon), President Reagan directed the Justice Department (over the Justice Department's objections) to drop antitrust charges against British airlines, and George H.W. There are many examples, including instructions to take aggressive measures to prosecute. against LAPD officers in the Rodney King case.
The president is charged with overseeing what types of cases the Justice Department should focus on, and can step in to direct the department on specific cases. He is the duly elected chief executive and has every right to ensure that the executive branch, including the Department of Justice, implements his agenda.
For example, the President is directing the Department of Justice to significantly increase resources to prosecute criminals at the highest prosecution levels and pursue maximum sentences, to devote maximum resources to deporting illegal aliens, and to It can direct action and seek remediation against sanctuary cities that resist and obstruct law enforcement efforts. The death penalty is applicable in all conceivable cases for horrific crimes such as drug trafficking, child sexual abuse, and rape.
The Democratic Party's false narrative about the historic disconnect between the president and the Justice Department has been conveniently perpetuated throughout recent administrations.
Barack Obama portrayed himself as a moderate while using Attorney General Eric Holder as a partisan attack dog. Democrats sought to neutralize Trump's primary Justice Department as they investigated him for the now-revealed Russian collusion hoax. Under President Joe Biden, Democrats sought to shield him from further Justice Department investigations into his rival, Trump, until he was forced to resign in July.
Paoletta argued that President Trump should return to a more historic and proper relationship between the president and the Justice Department, and would do so responsibly.
“President Trump does not intend to use the Justice Department for political purposes, to go after individuals just because they are political opponents,” he said. “But just because you're a political opponent doesn't mean you get a free pass if you break the law.”
“Democrats, by contrast, pursued President Trump solely to punish him as a political opponent. They fabricated crimes, perverted statutes, and abused their power and power, all to stop and destroy him. Thanks to President Trump's fortitude and perseverance, they failed.
Paoletta believes President Trump has the authority to use the Justice Department to pursue his campaign agenda.
“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,” he said.
He ended with a sarcastic observation, quoting Biden's own declaration that “no one is above the law.”
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News' Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
