Raskin Initiates Investigation into Dismissal of U.S. Lawyer Amid Trump Pressure
Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has started an inquiry into the departure of a U.S. lawyer who resigned under pressure related to charges against Trump associates James Comey and Letitia James.
Raskin has raised concerns about the motivations behind the investigation, suggesting it may be more about “listening to unfounded accusations” rather than pursuing valid claims against the former FBI director and the current New York Attorney General.
Following the resignation of Sheebert, President Trump reportedly urged Attorney General Pam Bondy to initiate charges. Just days later, charges against Comey emerged.
Comey faced two counts on Thursday evening tied to his testimony before the Senate regarding the 2016 election inquiry. He could potentially receive a five-year sentence for making false statements and obstructing a Congressional lawsuit.
“President Trump is orchestrating an unprecedented vendetta against his perceived enemies. This includes serious allegations against Comey, James, and others—it’s a troubling attack on the fairness of American justice,” Raskin stated.
Trump had pushed for Sheebert’s termination, expressing, “I want him gone.”
Raskin’s letter requests all documents and communications related to Sheebert’s removal, particularly those between the Justice Department and the White House.
Additionally, he has made criminal referrals involving mortgage fraud allegations against James. He also seeks all communications from the Justice Department related to Trump’s ally Bill Prute, who has accused other Trump critics, including Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif) and Federal Reserve Committee member Lisa Cook.
The charges against Comey hinge on whether he misinterpreted Congress during his 2020 testimony concerning a media leak.
“Sheebert determined there was insufficient ground for accusations against Comey. Federal prosecutors examined Trump’s assertion that Comey perjured himself regarding the leak and whether he improperly disclosed classified information,” Raskin noted.
“During this investigation, Sheebert consulted Daniel Richman, a close friend and advisor of Comey, about whether Comey authorized Richman to leak notes,” he added.
Furthermore, Raskin criticized the legitimacy of James’ investigation, mentioning that documents he signed concerning a mortgage indicated he wouldn’t mislead the bank about his primary residence, as James, a New York official, must reside in that state.
“Sheebert concluded there was no foundation for charging James with making a false statement related to mortgage intentions. Sheebert found that James’ mistaken entry on mortgage forms was likely an unintentional error,” Raskin explained.
“Specifically, James had emailed a mortgage broker just before signing a disputed document, indicating, ‘This property is not my main residence.’ When asked if he occupied the property as his primary residence, James selected ‘No.’ Given that, it’s hard to see how James could have committed mortgage fraud when he consistently informed his lender of his intentions,” Raskin added, referencing the report.
The Justice Department has yet to respond to requests for comments.
After Sheebert’s resignation, Trump appointed Lindsay Harrigan, a former White House employee with a background in insurance law, to the position. Harrigan has never attempted a federal case.
“Her appointment raises serious questions about what led her to this role, and whether she has similarly committed to pursuing the very prosecutions deemed unwarranted by Sheebert,” Raskin remarked.
