Watch Live: Trump speaks at Justice Department to lay out his vision
President Trump spoke to the Justice Department on Friday to form a vision for the department, focusing on crime and immigration. Given that no president has appeared in the Justice Department for a decade, it is a notable appearance.
He said the Justice Department is beginning a “new chapter in the American Chronicle of Justice.”
“We will turn the pages in four years of corruption, weaponization and surrender to violent criminals,” Trump said. “And, under the constitutional rule of law, we are restoring justice of fairness, equality and justice.”
He was introduced by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Previous: Trump says he will discuss the Justice Department’s idea
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president’s speech would be “an end to the weaponization of justice against Americans’ political tendencies.”
“I think we have incredible people and all I have to do is articulate my vision. It’s really their vision, but it’s my idea,” the president told reporters at the White House on Thursday.
Mr. Trump has been criticized by the Justice Department for many years Criminal cases After he left the office.
In order to protect its independence and integrity in law enforcement decisions, the Ministry of Justice has traditionally Not recommended The White House regards pending, possible criminal or civil investigations or cases unless it is important to the president’s duties, according to the Justice Handbook.
In 2015, President Barack Obama held his final public appearance while a current U.S. Department of Justice president paid tribute to outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. Prior to that, George W. Bush visited the department in 2001 to formally change the name of the building in honor of Robert F. Kennedy, who served as Attorney General under the administration of his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel will attend the president’s speech.
The president’s remarks came after some Democrats criticized Mr. Trump and claimed he had violated the law since he took office.
“President Trump began violating the law on the first day of his term and immediately pardoned hundreds of violent criminals when he was in office,” the House Appropriations Committee said. “The Trump administration violated the law every day by illegally stealing funds and undermining the Constitution to help American families and businesses, fire professional civil servants, fire professional civil servants without reason, and tear down institutions created by Congressional actions.”
“Restoring law and order begins with respect for the rule of law itself and the sanctity of our constitution,” Democratic Rep. Grace Meng said in a statement. “From the first day, this administration has not done so.”
