Joe Biden stated that he believed in an independent Justice Department...

[kentuck]

Although the Justice Department is a part of the Executive Branch, it is independent from the Executive Branch in its pursuit of justice. Joe Biden specifically said that he would not use the Justice Department as Donald Trump has used it. The Attorney-General will pursue the law as he/she sees fit and necessary.

The Attorney-General will have sufficient independence to do the job.

They have shown their guilt. It is just a matter of when they will have to pay the piper?

[Phoenix61]

1. That's my take on it. nt

[LizBeth]

2. As long as DOJ is independent and not influenced by Biden just wanting to get along, either.

Works both ways but we have heard language he does not want to go down this road at all.

[Blue Owl]

3. K&R

[russiamommy]

4. Biden is right on this

The White House should not in any way be influencing what DOJ does and does not investigate. I was a civil servant for many, many years. There was a time in not so distant past that political appointees were left out of all decisions about criminal investigations. They were not even copied on documentation about any criminal investigation - politics related or not. That’s the way it needs to be. Trump has totally distorted the role of DOJ. We cannot follow that lead.

If there is criminal activity (and I’m sure there’s tons of it) then DOJ can and should investigate it and prosecute appropriately. But the direction cannot come from the White House.

[Ms. Toad]

5. Each administration generally DOES guide its priorities for investigation and prosecution

The thing it needs to avoid is micromanaging prosecution beyond giving general guidance as to administration priorities.

There are always far more crimes than can possibly be investigated and prosecuted. For example - would we support a Biden administration that pioritized investigation and prosecution of the use of medical marijuana - or recreational use of marijuana? Both are still federal crimes. Or would we prefer the DOJ spend more time on investigating and prosecuting claims of civil rights or voting rights violations?

[russiamommy]

8. I completely agree

The priorities are set top of house, but the White House does not get involved in, much less direct, any individual case.

[Ms. Toad]

10. So - it would be appropriate for the White House to set as a priority

corruption and kickbacks in federal contracting. The chips would then fall where they fall as to any specific people caught in the investigation and prosecution as to that general priority.

Not sure everyone is getting the subtle distinctions.

[kentuck]

6. He politicized the Justice Department.

Barr was more than happy to play politics with the Department.

[russiamommy]

9. Yes, DOJ was politicized...

But it was wrong under Trump and would be wrong if the Biden Administration did it too.

[eleny]

7. We'll know Biden's hand in this by his AG pick

Until then I figure he's playing it cagey so as not to screw up the Georgia runoff.

I want a pound of flesh from the T administration and family and am hoping for Glenn Kirschner.