"Donald Trump's public and private push to have ex-FBI director James Comey indicted on criminal charges is a strong sign of the US slipping into authoritarianism, but it could also taint the case's chances of success because it is evidence of a selective and biased political prosecution, ex-prosecutors and scholars say. Trump's retribution drive against an old foe he blames for legal and political problems notched a big win when Comey was indicted last week on two criminal counts in Virginia."
"Trump pressured the US attorney in eastern Virginia Erik Siebert to resign after he had indicated the case against Comey was weak, and then tapped White House adviser Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump defense lawyer who lacked prosecutorial experience to replace him. In an usual move, Halligan was the only prosecutor who signed the charges in a meager two-page document."
"Trump's push for Comey's indictment also involved his tough prodding of Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, on Truth Social to move fast given a looming five-year statute of limitations deadline. The eventual indictment charged Comey for allegedly lying to Congress in 2020 about a leak related to the FBI investigatino into Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 elections and obstruction of Congress."
Donald Trump mounted public and private pressure to have ex-FBI director James Comey criminally indicted, culminating in an indictment on two criminal counts in Virginia. Trump pressured the US attorney in eastern Virginia, Erik Siebert, to resign after Siebert indicated the case was weak, then tapped White House adviser Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump defense lawyer lacking prosecutorial experience, to replace him; Halligan was the only prosecutor who signed the two-page charging document. Trump also prodded Pam Bondi on Truth Social to move quickly before a looming five-year statute-of-limitations deadline. Ex-prosecutors and scholars say the interference risks tainting the prosecution and signals a dangerous break with DOJ independence.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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