Letter to the President

Dear Mr. President,

I write with grave concern over your recent calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to bring criminal prosecutions against your political opponents—Senator Adam Schiff, former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, among others—and the nomination of your former attorney, Lindsey Halligan, to head a U.S. Attorney’s office under circumstances that raise serious questions about impartiality and the rule of law.

These actions—and your public demands that “justice must be served, now!!!” against specific political enemies—are deeply troubling for several reasons:

1. Undermining the Independence of the Justice System

The U.S. Department of Justice has long been built on a foundation of prosecutorial discretion exercised independently of political influence. When the President openly exerts pressure to prosecute political opponents, it threatens to weaponize justice for political ends. The decision whether there is sufficient evidence to charge someone should depend on facts, law, and independent judgment—not on public demands or partisan considerations.

2. Erosion of Democratic Norms and Due Process

Our democratic system rests on principles such as due process, equal protection under the law, and fairness regardless of partisan affiliation. Presuming guilt, demanding immediate action despite reported lack of evidence—as has been reported in the case of U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert, who reportedly declined to charge Letitia James due to insufficient proof—flies in the face of these norms.

3. Risk of a Slippery Slope toward Authoritarianism

When prosecutorial authority is viewed as a political tool, the precedent set is dangerous. Once used against your rivals, tomorrow it could be used against dissenters, the press, or even intra-party critics. Such use of law enforcement for political retribution is characteristic of authoritarian regimes, not democratic ones where rule of law is respected. Critics across the political spectrum—including Republicans—have already voiced alarm.

4. Damage to Public Trust and Institutional Credibility

By demanding prosecutions of political opponents, even in the absence of transparent evidence, you risk undermining public trust in the Justice Department and the broader legal system. When citizens believe that legal outcomes depend on political loyalty rather than on fairness, legitimacy is lost. Reputation matters, but rushing to punish may cause lasting damage.

In light of all this, I urge you to consider these actions carefully and to uphold the separation between political leadership and law enforcement decision-making. I respectfully propose the following:

Reinforce the independence of the Justice Department by committing to let investigations proceed on their merits, without public pressure or interference.

Ensure that U.S. Attorneys are selected for their qualifications, legal competence, and experience, not primarily because of loyalty or political alignment.

Publicly affirm that no person will be prosecuted without credible evidence, that due process will be respected, and that no retribution will be exacted against political adversaries or critics.

Rebuild confidence by supporting strong norms that protect prosecutorial discretion and guard against politicization of justice.

Mr. President, the strength of our republic lies not only in the power of its institutions, but in the restraint with which that power is used. Upholding the rule of law, even when it is inconvenient, protects us all.