Corker criticizes Trump’s comments about justice system
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, said Friday that President Donald Trump’s comments about the criminal justice system are “totally inappropriate.”
Corker’s statement follows Trump’s refusal to rule out firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions if the Department of Justice does not investigate what the president wishes. In a statement, Corker said:
“Like me, most Americans hope that our justice system is independent and free of political interference. President Trump’s pressuring of the Justice Department and FBI to pursue cases against his adversaries and calling for punishment before trials take place [is] totally inappropriate and not only undermine[s] our justice system but erode[s] the American people’s confidence in our institutions.”
The Associated Press reported that Trump said he is “disappointed” with the Justice Department and won’t rule out firing Sessions, if Sessions won’t investigate Democrats.
“Honestly, they should be looking at the Democrats,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House on a 12-day trip to Asia.
The president’s comments came after he tweeted several times Friday morning to criticize his 2016 rival Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee, the AP reported.
“Crooked Hillary bought the DNC & then stole the Democratic Primary from Crazy Bernie!,” he wrote, adding it’s the “real story on Collusion.”
Asked if he would fire Sessions if the Justice Department doesn’t focus its investigative powers on Democrats, Trump said, “I don’t know.”
Trump continued: “A lot of people are disappointed in the Justice Department, including me.”
On Wednesday, Trump said the Uzbek immigrant accused in the New York City truck rampage that left eight people dead should get the death penalty. Critics said it was inappropriate for him to voice opinions on a pending criminal case.
The president this week also called the judicial system a “”a joke and a laughingstock” during a televised cabinet meeting.