After Yesterday’s DOJ Purge, Pam Bondi Cannot Fulfill Promises Made at Her Confirmation Hearing
Among the many things that happened in the ongoing DOJ purge was the reassignment of DOJ’s top career official, Brad Weinsheimer, to Trump’s sanctuary cities task force.
The department’s most senior career official, a well-respected department employee responsible for some of the most sensitive cases, was reassigned to a much less powerful post.
Were that official, Bradley Weinsheimer, to remain as the associate deputy attorney general, he would have handled critical questions about possible recusals — a thorny issue for a department that will soon be run by a number of Mr. Trump’s former lawyers.
[snip]
Like many of the other officials who have received transfer emails, Mr. Weinsheimer has been given the option of moving to the department’s sanctuary cities task force — an offer seen by some in the same situation as an effort to force them into quitting.
Mr. Weinsheimer, a respected veteran of the department for three decades, played a critical role under multiple administrations, often acting as a critical arbiter of ethical issues or interactions that required a neutral referee.
He was appointed to his current role on an interim basis by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in July 2018 during Mr. Trump’s first term, a move that was made permanent by one of his successors, William P. Barr.
Mr. Weinsheimer also served four years in the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility, which investigates complaints about prosecutors. An email to his government account was not immediately returned.
I’ve written about the key role Weinsheimer has played here.
In response to a question from Dick Durbin about her lobbying for Qatar (which she did not disclose as a potential conflict to the committee),
If there are any conflicts with anyone I represented in private practice, I would consult with the career ethics officials within the department and make the appropriate decision.
When Durbin asked if she would face a conflict with private prison contractor GEO, Bondi again said she would “consult with the career ethics officials within the Department of Justice and make the appropriate decision.”
But now the DOJ purge has made that impossible. Weinsheimer will be stuck prosecuting Chicago officials somewhere, and someone hand selected will take his spot.
In Bondi’s case, it won’t matter. She is, at least, qualified for the job, unlike so many of Trump’s other nominees.
But a key promise she made in her confirmation hearing just became meaningless.
Update: Fixed my typo to state correctly that it will be impossible for Bondi to keep her promise.
Along with the IG purge, this is another example of how Trump is hollowing out government oversight functions to make it easier for the theocratic takeover to satisfy the religious-right’s claim on his second term. And Bondi is a tool of the legal arm of the religious right:
https://firstliberty.org/news/pam-bondi-will-be-a-strong-protector-of-religious-freedom/
First Liberty is the leading Xian theocratic legal-sponsorship and -advocacy org, and they’re now in the catbird seat with Bondi, totally unfettered, about to head the DOJ.
It’s my opinion that our best strategic as well as tactical approach is to focus on all the ways Trump’s overturning of US government structures and checks and balances is in service of his overriding mission to make the USA a fascist Christian theocracy. It’s woven into every action he takes, every statement he makes, and every framework he breaks. It’s also woven into Trump’s own self-image of a demi-god, an image the religious right has both fostered and amplified.
Also, it’s a mistake to liken what this cabal is doing to Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale. Not that the underlying motives of the Trump theocratic project don’t resemble that story’s narrative, but this real-world expression of religious domination of civil society looks entirely different than Atwood’s uniformed enslavement of women. This real-world desecration of our Constitution and Bill of Rights and legal code will look almost normal, like Mike Johnson looks, like Pam Bondi looks, and like JD Vance looks.
The Theocracy of Trump (or some such) needs to be the watchword, and the target of everything we’re throwing at them, imo.
re laws requiring display of Ten Commandments in classrooms I suggest adding the Trump and Stormy photo next to it to “add context,”
https://apnews.com/article/ten-commandments-law-poster-school-76d86dd745bf5bcd0964faf5b732d894
Murrill issued guidance to schools on how to do so, including four samples of the Ten Commandments posters. In addition, each poster must be paired with the four-paragraph “context statement” describing how the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries.”
Did you mean “impossible”?
Or was this to imply that by replacing the career ethics professionals, Bondi now can consult and get her desired result?
Sorry if I’m just failing at reading comprehension this morning!
I did. Thanks.
I query whether Bondi is qualified for the job.
Seems like you could have posited this question to senators.
I did.
Let me be more blunt: the question isn’t helpful here BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW SHE’S NOT QUALIFIED based on her questionable ethical background alone.
Saying no doesn’t mean you know anything; but if heard,
it does mean you have a voice, that you are here and still alive.
That appears to be the crux of the Trump movement.
Good news from The Resistance in my county!
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/norristown/montco-doubles-down-dei-funding-trump-seeks-end-programs
My County as well! HI neighbor resistor. I’m in the Lansdale area.
Thanks for the article.
As I’ve been saying for years, I’ve always seen my own experience as a fractal of what is happening in America today. The Holocaust Memorial Day anniversary service reminded me that during my own years of severe challenges I had to have one of my adrenal glands removed because of a tumor which I am certain was a direct result of all the stress. Then there were the legal costs which were $45K in the late 90’s to 2000. I imagine that would be considerably more now. And, by the way, the ACLU wouldn’t represent me because they were representing the white supremacist militia members.
Interestingly, it was a local Jewish businessman who wrote a very supportive letter and offered to make a donation because I had inspired him. But I told him it would be unethical for me to accept and suggested he give it to the local Friends of the Library group, which he did. Not a single other Democrat stepped up. No “good” Christians stepped up. No atheists stepped up. Some politicians put in their 2 cents, for their own reasons, without once reaching out.
Then there was all the witness tampering, perjury, and suborning perjury (by “good” Christians, both Democrats and Republicans.) There was manipulated shenanigans by government officials in the courtroom. Of course, during all these years I had to always use my personal leave time. Everyone else was on their work time. Oh, I forgot to tell about the people who were bought off. Significant people who I will not name. And here’s a tip: If you think it’s easy getting a lawyer, you are clueless.
One of my multimillionaire friends told me it would be all right. And I immediately replied, “No, it won’t.” I could foresee where America was headed. Hell, the vast majority of people here on emptywheel were oblivious, some still to this day.
So, I’m not surprised by where we are now. Not in the least. Just totally pissed at all the fucking narcissists in America. Hell, I’m so steamed that I might even pull a Fetterman.
And I fear for Mariann Budde, not because she did something wrong, but because she did something right. But I am here to say: There is a big cost to speaking up. The people you think might step up can really let you down. Big time!
One last thing. I’m still being harassed to this day. I’m fairly certain that some of them are readers, and even commenters, of emptywheel. So, there is that, too. And, please, don’t give me any of your pitiful sympathy. I’m not in the mood for any more assholes. I know I’ve done my part. My best advice: start saving your money for attorneys, for yourselves or others.
Upon your request I won’t sympathize with you SL. But I will empathize. I went through an experience too where, in Joe Orton’s paraphrased words, society lifted up its skirt and the stench was rotten. My experience revealed to me that government, social ‘justice,’ non profits, even your own community have a thoroughly rotten side to it that they will happily wield against you if the price is right for them. So I am not surprised by current events either. I reassure myself by telling myself that throughout history people like Trump and Company are eventually defeated with the help of the some of the people who put them in charge.
Wise and kind words, Krisy. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Adding:
Just as a reminder, Susie Wiles played a significant role in what happened to me. I won’t go into specifics. But I do recall telling the Mayor (when he came to speak at the library, after I lost in court but subsequently was offered a settlement) that God knew what really happened. I could tell the Mayor was taken aback.
But apparently that was all cool with God. Because now Pam Bondi, who told Cassidy Hutchinson that Susie Wiles is her best friend (according to J6 testimony,) is in a position to be working hand in glove with Susie Wiles. Just one big fat, happy tribe. Yay for the morbidly rich.
Not to be vulgar, but the only reason that Pam Bondi is nominee for Attorney General is the same reason Tulsi Gabbard is nominee for DNI – so Donald Trump can look up her skirt! Truth.
Sure, and he makes them wear patent leather shoes, too. If you know you’re being vulgar, choose not to be.
The Russians really like Gabbard.
Putin also really likes Bondi, because her mediocrity and sycophancy make the USA look just as phony and shambolic as Russia. Putin loves everything he’s seeing from this crew, who are fulfilling the GRU’s original mission, circa 2016, beyond anything he could have imagined–and so quickly!
America already looks like a failed state. As soon as the oligarchs in charge commandeer the tax laws, the economy will tank for the rest of us and then Putin’s dream will be realized.
A bit off topic, but apparently Pete Hesgeth has decided his first action in the Pentagon should be doing everything he can to destroy Mark Milley both personally and professionally.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will announce he is “immediately pulling” retired Gen. Mark Milley’s personal security detail and security clearance, multiple senior administration officials tell Fox News.
The secretary is also directing the new acting Inspector General to conduct a review board to determine if enough evidence exists for Gen. Milley to be stripped of a star in retirement based on his actions to “undermine the chain of command” during President Donald Trump’s first term, officials say.
The Pentagon will also be removing a second portrait of Gen. Milley inside the Pentagon. This one is from the Army’s Marshall Corridor on the third floor honoring his service as chief-of-staff of the Army. Fox is told the removal of this second portrait will take place as soon as tonight. This means there will be no more portraits of Gen. Milley inside the Pentagon.”
His crime? Not being a yes-man for Donald J. Trump.
I hope someone tells him that Milley’s retired and can’t be punished for his lawful actions.
I hope when Hegseth tries to sleep, he closes his eyes and his eyelids become personal screens upon which are projected those portrait images of General Milley, over and over in taunting repetition, so that sleep becomes an impossible dream…
Just not as impossible as ever making the rank of General himself.