Durbin, Senate Judiciary Democrats Urge Attorney General Garland To Preserve All Materials From Trump Investigations
Given Donald Trump's Intention to shut down any investigation into his alleged misconduct and Pam Bondi's promise to weaponize the Justice Department, it's "critical" that DOJ take immediate preservation steps
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to preserve all existing and future materials related to former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Donald Trump and investigations conducted by Congress.
The request is particularly timely, given decisions by Judge Aileen Cannon to temporarily block Special Counsel Smith’s report, the Special Counsel’s resignation, and subsequent litigation.
“As the Senate Committee on the Judiciary exercises its constitutional oversight of the Department of Justice and considers measures necessary to protect the lawful transfer of power, this letter serves as a formal request to preserve all existing and future records and materials related to: (1) the Department of Justice’s investigations and prosecutions of President-elect Donald J. Trump; and (2) investigations and prosecutions related to efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election, including the certification of the Electoral College vote on January 6 and 7, 2021. Additionally, we request you preserve all information that relates to all investigations conducted by Congress, including all requests from the 118th Congress,” the Senators wrote.
“As President-elect Trump has repeatedly made clear, he intends to swiftly shut down any investigations related to his alleged misconduct and involvement in 2020 election subversion efforts and his mishandling of classified documents … Furthermore, the President-elect’s intended nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has promised to weaponize the Department of Justice against those who were involved in these investigations … In light of these threats, it is critical that the Department take immediate preservation steps related to these investigations and prosecutions,” the Senators continued.
In addition to Durbin, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
For a PDF copy of the letter, click here.
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