Rep. Jamie Raskin recently expressed concerns that the Department of Justice (DOJ) could become a personal “law firm” for President-elect Donald Trump during his second term in office. His remarks came after Trump selected former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the DOJ, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s decision to withdraw from consideration.
Raskin, who serves as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, explained on MSNBC’s “Alex Wagner Tonight” that Bondi would likely oversee the bureaucracy. He emphasized that she would play a crucial role in translating Trump’s directives into action within the bureaucracy, making her a key figure in ensuring his orders are carried out.
Trump names Pam Bondi as his DOJ pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration
He added that DOJ staff are concerned about the potential abandonment of legal and constitutional norms, warning that the department could essentially become an arm of Trump’s personal legal strategy. Raskin’s comments reflect growing unease within the DOJ about the potential politicization of the department under Trump’s influence.
Following Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration for the position, Trump quickly named Bondi as his new pick. Bondi, who served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, could soon face confirmation for the role.
Raskin, a strong critic of Trump, suggested that if Bondi is confirmed, she would likely be charged with defending Trump’s controversial campaign promise to deport millions of migrants. He pointed out that such an effort would require her to lead the legal defense of mass deportations against challenges, likely involving civil rights violations.
Trump himself reflected on his past staffing decisions during a recent podcast interview, admitting that one of his biggest mistakes in his first term was appointing individuals he later considered disloyal. He acknowledged that although he had chosen some strong people for key positions, there were others he regretted selecting.
