President Donald Trump has promised to seek justice against those who pursued legal cases against him while he was out of office. Speaking at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Trump declared that the agency would no longer be used for political attacks.
“Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice,” Trump stated. “But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back.”
Trump’s Legal Battles and the DOJ’s Actions
During his time out of office, Trump faced multiple indictments from the DOJ. These included charges related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Florida estate and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. However, following his reelection in November, both cases were dismissed. The department cited a long-standing policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president.
Trump criticized these investigations, vowing to ensure “full and complete accountability” for what he called “wrongs and abuses” committed against him. “The American people have given us a mandate, a mandate like few people thought possible,” he added.
Shake-Up at the DOJ and FBI
Since returning to office, Trump has made significant changes within the DOJ and FBI. He dismissed prosecutors who had investigated him during the Biden administration and ordered reviews of thousands of FBI agents who were involved in cases against some of his supporters. Many of these supporters participated in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
His actions have sparked strong reactions from lawmakers. Representative Jamie Raskin, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, denounced Trump’s speech as a “staggering violation of [the] traditional boundary between independent criminal law enforcement and presidential political power.”
Speaking outside the DOJ, Raskin warned, “No other president in American history has stood at the Department of Justice to proclaim an agenda of criminal prosecution and retaliation against his political foes.”
New Leadership and Future Plans
Trump has installed key political allies in top DOJ and FBI positions. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel were among those present during his speech. Introducing Trump, Bondi praised him, saying, “We all work for the greatest president in the history of our country. He will never stop fighting for us, and we will never stop fighting for him.”
Trump also outlined his vision for “historic reforms” in the DOJ and FBI. “Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime-fighting agencies on the face of the Earth,” he stated.
Focus on Crime and Border Security
Trump’s speech echoed themes from his campaign rallies. Music played before his entrance, and his remarks touched on crime and border security. He claimed that homicides, property crimes, and robberies rose under the Biden administration.
“I have no higher mission as president than to end this killing, stop lawbreaking, and make America safe again,” Trump emphasized. “We want to protect Americans and everyone in our country.”
As Trump moves forward with his agenda, his critics warn of potential risks to judicial independence, while his supporters see a long-awaited correction of past injustices.
