Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

drray23

(8,858 posts)
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 11:51 AM Friday

During the excellent interview Nicolle conducted with Jack Smith

I picked up on one thing that has not been widely debated in the media and here, on DU.
She asked him how we should go after all the people who enabled Trump, in particular, DOJ lawyers breaking or at least bending the laws and regulations to feed Trump's retribution campaign.

Smith was kinda lukewarm on this. His first reaction was that it does not matter that we do not like what these people are doing or did, prosecuting them may not be the answer or even easily feasible. We need to return to a rule of law and a DOJ that abides by standards of conduct, etc..

I took that as meaning that if he were ever nominated (hypothetically) to be the AG during a democratic administration, he would be a stickler to the rules to the point that these guys would skate free. I understand his point of view, it is just frustrating to me that we democrats are supposed to behave and stick to the rules while the GOP can run roughshod over everything and get away with it.


6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Mz Pip

(28,551 posts)
1. I think he would prosecute crimes
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 12:50 PM
Friday

He just would go after specific people looking for crimes, like Trump is doing.

Srkdqltr

(10,183 posts)
2. I got the impression, i don't know why exactly, that there are things going on he couldn't talk about.
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 01:04 PM
Friday

He held back a whole lot. Probably for the best.

drray23

(8,858 posts)
4. Well yes, for example the second volume of the classified document case
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 01:07 PM
Friday

Is sealed by order of judge Canon. Smith explicitly said he could not comment on it in order to not violate that gag order.
I believe its being challenged in court.

TommyT139

(2,550 posts)
6. I heard it a bit differently
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 03:34 PM
Friday

...if you are referring to her asking about Chris Wray (? I think it was) -- by name. If that's the part, I think JS was mostly declining to get into a specific criticism of someone, which would have become a soundbyte that would get more airtime, with less impact. That would be all we heard from the interview, if we didn't watch it live. Refraining from personal comment about someone in the past was a "trap" he didn't fall for.

Instead, he broadened the point out to make his comments more generally applicable, leaving it up to each person to do as they decide to do based on their own situation.

As to whether a person gets prosecuted, he has been clear about his working understanding of DOJ policies and priorities -- needing enough evidence to prove the case, and also making sure that limited resources are going to the most serious crimes. It's that sense of "picking one's battles" that makes his comments about Trump stealing documents so worth our attention: that he (and the DOJ) had more than enough evidence to prove Trump's guilt.

And Lord knows, if there is an opportunity for housecleaning in this country's future, there will need to be a serious look at who gets brought up on trial -- and what form those trials take.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»During the excellent inte...