WASHINGTON – State Democracy Defenders Fund (SDDF) and Public Citizen are urging the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Inspector General to conduct an investigation of recent social media posts and Fox News statements made by FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine whether they violate federal regulations and media policies.
The posts and comments, made in the aftermath of the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, appear to violate DOJ policies that bar personnel from making public statements that are highly prejudicial or that could affect the outcome of a criminal proceeding.
“The most senior leaders at the Department of Justice are not allowed to make posts and comments so clearly designed to inflame,” said Norm Eisen, executive chair of SDDF. “That is why the rules we point to exist. If unchecked, this behavior threatens the fair administration of justice.”
“Every person in the United States is entitled to due process and a fair trial, which the Trump Administration seems to have conveniently chosen to ignore in this case (and in many others),” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen. “The inflammatory statements made by Kash Patel and Pam Bondi are not only completely inappropriate for the nation’s top law enforcement officials to make, but appear to violate explicit standards set forward by the DOJ. An investigation into that potential violation is urgently needed.”
The full letter can be found HERE.
State Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.
Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. Public Citizen defends democracy, resists corporate power, and works to ensure that the government works for the people.