During an interview on Deadline: White House, President Joe Biden expressed his frustration with former President Donald Trump’s attempts to politicize the Justice Department. Biden revealed that world leaders have questioned him about why Trump has not been charged for his role in the January 6 insurrection, while the “foot soldiers” involved have faced prosecution.
While Biden has been careful not to comment on Trump’s legal situation and has emphasized the independence of the Justice Department, he did share some insights during the interview. When asked about the length of time it took for the FBI to investigate the events of January 6, Biden criticized Trump’s interference with independent agencies.
Biden acknowledged that other democratic leaders have raised concerns about the discrepancy between charging the individuals involved in the insurrection and holding Trump accountable. However, he reiterated his commitment to not interfere with the Justice Department’s decisions and investigations. He emphasized that he has not spoken with the attorney general about any specific case and believes in maintaining a hands-off approach to the workings of the court and other institutions.
The president’s focus remains on strengthening democracies both domestically and abroad, and he expressed faith in the Justice Department’s ability to adhere to the law. While he acknowledged that it may take time, he refrained from discussing the specifics of Trump’s potential prosecution, reiterating his belief in the importance of preserving institutions and norms.
Biden’s comments reflect his commitment to upholding the independence of the Justice Department and maintaining a clear separation between the executive branch and the legal processes. His stance highlights the importance of allowing investigations and legal proceedings to unfold without political interference, reinforcing the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
When Wallace asked “do other democratic leaders want to know why the foot soldiers of the insurrection have been charged and prosecuted, but not the leader?”, Biden answered in the affirmative — and revealed what he tells them:
WALLACE: Let me ask you about an institution that we spend a lot of time covering here, and that’s the Justice Department.
“The Washington Post” recently reported that it took the Justice Department seeing Cassidy Hutchinson’s public testimony, which was a year ago yesterday, to really focus on Trump and his innermost circle’s role in the January 6 coup plot.
You have awarded medals to Harry Dunn and Officer Fanone and the others. Do they deserve to know why it took the Justice Department a year to open an investigation into the person that incited the insurrection?
BIDEN: Look, I made a commitment that I would not in any way interfere with the Justice Department, who they prosecuted, if they prosecuted, how they proceeded.
I have not spoken once, not one single time with the attorney general, on any specific case, not once. And — but I do talk to him about law enforcement and all those other things. But the point is that I just think we — there have been — there’s what I mean about interfering in institutions.
The last administration tried to direct the court, tried to push the court, I mean, whether it was the Fed or the court or institutions, that are supposed to say, hands off. That’s why I have never engaged in that. And it’s not my role to do that.
WALLACE: But when you talk about strengthening democracies at home and abroad, do other democratic leaders want to know why the foot soldiers of the insurrection have been charged and prosecuted, but not the leader?
BIDEN: Well, I — the answer is yes, but here’s my answer.
The court — I have faith the Justice Department will move in a direction that is consistent with the law. And so it may take time, but I have faith that they’re going to do the right — but I have not spoken about it, and I don’t think I should.
WALLACE: And I think that, again, is sort of this reverence for the institutions and the norms.
