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On July 26, 2025, President Donald Trump criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi. Demanding that she prosecute her political enemies immediately. Citing 30 DOJ reports showing “no progress” on criminal referrals, Trump accused Bondi of failing to act on allegations of mortgage fraud against figures like Sen. Adam Schiff, Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, and former FBI Director James Comey.
“We can’t delay any longer,” Trump wrote, claiming the inaction was “killing our reputation.” He referenced his two accusations and five charges as “OVER NOTHING,” claiming “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!”
The referrals stop from a campaign led by William Pulte, Trump’s FHFA appointee, and special prosecutor Ed Martin, who report directly to the White House. They allege Democrats abused mortgage programs during the COVID-19 era, but targets deny the claims, calling them unsupported political attacks. Martin’s probe has expanded beyond fraud to potential tax violations, bypassing DOJ norms.
Deputy AG Todd Blanche offered Martin resources to avoid embarrassment if no indictments result, but tensions persist. Grand juries in D.C. have rejected similar Trump referrals, like one against a sandwich-throwing protester.
The pressure on Bondi coincides with the nomination of Lindsey Halligan as U.S. Attorney for Eastern Virginia, following the incumbent’s resignation rather than pursuing Trump’s scheme. Halligan, an inexperienced litigator with no prosecutorial record, is a Trump aide who represented him in past cases.
Trump praised her as “fearless” and capable of working with Bondi and Blanche. The role is key for probing New York AG Letitia James on similar fraud claims. Halligan’s confirmation could accelerate Trump’s agenda, but Senate Democrats may block her.
On the 27th of July, Hillary Clinton issued a statement saying, “Imagine if Nixon had tweeted Watergate instead of tapes,” thereby comparing Trump’s tactics to the abuse of power.
Legal experts in the Department of Justice’s independence are likely to be subjected to the same kind of influence. No matter whether the prosecutions are carried out, there will hardly be any convictions without proof, as has been the case with previous unsuccessful referrals, Hillary Clinton commented.
