Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska took a swipe at President Donald Trump for his “unseemly” and “foolish” move of calling for legal action against New York Attorney General Letitia James before she was indicted this week.
Why It Matters
Trump’s public calls for action against political adversaries, including James, have drawn swift criticism from lawmakers and legal scholars alike.
The events test longstanding norms separating the White House from Department of Justice (DOJ) decision-making—a boundary traditionally aimed at preserving public confidence in impartial justice. Trump’s comment raises questions about the independence of federal prosecutors and the appearance of political motivations behind high-profile investigations.
What To Know
While speaking with CNN, Bacon was asked about Trump’s remarks, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue charges against several political opponents, naming former FBI Director James Comey, Senator Adam Schiff, and James.
Trump wrote in part, “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility.” The president then followed up with praise for Bondi, stating she is “doing a GREAT job” despite apparent frustration at the pace of prosecutions.
Bacon said, “I think it was a mistake, as I already mentioned. Him putting out these demands for indictments—I don’t think it’s right. I think it’s again, it’s unseemly. The presidents don’t normally do this. And to me…I think it’s foolish.”
The Nebraska Republican continued: “He’s hurting his own case by making these demands, because I guarantee you, Director Comey and James here… are going to use his words against him for part of their defense during these cases. So, he’s undermined his own demands by making his demands public like that.”
“It undermines the perception of fair justice,” Bacon added.
Trump’s message followed the resignation and replacement of U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert with Lindsey Halligan, who presented evidence that resulted in a grand jury indictment of James on bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution. James and her attorney have denied the allegations, labeling the investigation as political retaliation.
Bacon has recently shown consistent public criticism of Trump. He is not seeking reelection in 2026, making his comments less likely to be motivated by electoral considerations.
What People Are Saying
Dave Aronberg, former Palm Beach County State Attorney, to Newsweek on Friday: “President Trump’s social media post directing his Attorney General to prosecute James and Comey as payback, along with the firing of Erik Siebert and the quick appointment of Lindsey Halligan, give the defense teams strong arguments for vindictive prosecution. The fact that no career prosecutor in the office apparently wanted to touch these cases, and that Trump’s brand new Acting U.S. Attorney had to go it alone, provides further evidence that this was done to settle personal scores against old foes.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek last month: “President Trump appreciates all Attorney General Bondi is doing to Make America Safe Again. The president wants justice and accountability for the many corrupt criminals and politicians who weaponized our justice system against him and his millions of patriotic supporters.”
What Happens Next
The grand jury indictment formally initiates criminal proceedings against James. If convicted, she could face significant penalties—up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count, according to the DOJ. James has denied all wrongdoing.
