Trump Threatens To "Get Involved" In Department Of Justice's "Rigged System"

Donald Trump

UPDATE - The Justice Department has officially said "no" to the Freedom Caucus' request for the unredacted version of the DOJ memo to Robert Mueller.

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Donald Trump began the day with yet another meltdown on Twitter with cries of "Witch Hunt!" and "Rigged System."

His rant was centered on the dispute between conservative members of Congress and a memo from the Department of Justice that outlines the topics for investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

CNN has the details:

The House Republican duo targeting senior leaders at the Justice Department have a new demand for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein: They want to see an unredacted copy of the memo he sent to whom detailing the scope of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

The same lawmakers are also demanding a new disclosure from Attorney General Jeff Sessions: They want to know whether he was involved in the decision to raid the personal attorney of President Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, according to a letter sent last week.

The two new requests are the latest in a series of asks from Republican Reps. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Jim Jordan of Ohio, the conservative Freedom Caucus lawmakers who say the Justice Department is stonewalling Congress and have suggested the department leaders could be on the "path to impeachment" if they won't cooperate.

In a private meeting last month, Jordan and Meadows laid out their concerns to Rosenstein about what they believe has been a lackluster response by the Justice Department to the GOP's request for documents. And one document request appeared to catch Rosenstein by surprise: the demand for the August memo laying out the scope of the Mueller probe, a document that was heavily redacted in recently unveiled court filings.

Rosenstein resisted the request by the GOP lawmakers to review an unredacted, or less redacted, version of the memo, according to Jordan.

Apparently, according to folks with knowledge of the document, the full memo includes which Trump associates are under investigation and for what.

At an event last night, Rosenstein told reporters "the Department of Justice is not going to be extorted."

The Washington Post has reported that Meadows and the House Freedom Caucus have drafted articles of impeachment against Rosenstein as a "last resort."

There was no Collusion (it is a Hoax) and there is no Obstruction of Justice (that is a setup & trap). What there is is Negotiations going on with North Korea over Nuclear War, Negotiations going on with China over Trade Deficits, Negotiations on NAFTA, and much more. Witch Hunt!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2018

A Rigged System - They don’t want to turn over Documents to Congress. What are they afraid of? Why so much redacting? Why such unequal “justice?” At some point I will have no choice but to use the powers granted to the Presidency and get involved!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2018

Mr. President, the powers of the Presidency do not give you the right to interfere with or shut down the Russia investigation. Firing the Deputy AG or Director Mueller would create a constitutional crisis. Do not go down this road. https://t.co/rqhxKFYYQC

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 2, 2018

Trump's most direct threat yet to Rosenstein's job. Also his most direct threat to fire the entire leadership of @TheJusticeDept

Still, no real signs here that POTUS knows of any "powers granted to the Presidency" that might permit him to "get involved." Odds of bluffing high. https://t.co/SooQ0soIMU

— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) May 2, 2018

FBI & Dept Of Justice To Be Reviewed Over Handling Of Clinton Email Investigation

FBI Director James Comey

In light of FBI Director James Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation ahead of the 2016 election, Comey, the FBI and the Department of Justice will now be the subject of an investigation themselves.

The review was requested by several sources including members of Congress and outside organizations.

Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz will be investigating these issues (via press release):

Allegations that Department or FBI policies or procedures were not followed in connection with, or in actions leading up to or related to, the FBI Director’s public announcement on July 5, 2016, and the Director’s letters to Congress on October 28 and November 6, 2016, and that certain underlying investigative decisions were based on improper considerations;

Allegations that the FBI Deputy Director should have been recused from participating in certain investigative matters;

Allegations that the Department’s Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs improperly disclosed non-public information to the Clinton campaign and/or should have been recused from participating in certain matters;

Allegations that Department and FBI employees improperly disclosed non-public information; and

Allegations that decisions regarding the timing of the FBI’s release of certain Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents on October 30 and November 1, 2016, and the use of a Twitter account to publicize same, were influenced by improper considerations.

FBI Director Comey issued this statement in response:

“I am grateful to the Department of Justice’s IG for taking on this review,” he said. “He is professional and independent and the FBI will cooperate fully with him and his office. I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter.”

I can't imagine this going anywhere as of January 21st, the day after Donald Trump becomes president, can you?