By Eniola Amadu
U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Attorney General Pam Bondi to file criminal charges against several of his political opponents, even as he later expressed support for her leadership at the Justice Department.
In a series of posts on social media, Trump directly addressed Bondi, citing dozens of public complaints that the Justice Department had not acted swiftly on investigations involving prominent Democrats and critics of his administration.
“Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,’” Trump wrote, referring to former FBI Director James Comey, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
READ ALSO: Trump imposes $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications
He warned that further delays could damage the Justice Department’s credibility. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump said.
The president also criticized former U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert, who resigned on Friday after reportedly resisting pressure to bring charges against Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud.
Prosecutors in Virginia had previously said there was insufficient evidence to pursue an indictment.
But just over an hour later, Trump appeared to strike a more supportive tone, describing Bondi as “very careful” and “very smart.”
He announced plans to appoint his lawyer, Lindsey Halligan, to replace Siebert as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, saying the office needed a tougher prosecutor.
“Pam Bondi is doing a GREAT job as Attorney General of the United States. She is very careful, very smart, loves our Country, but needs a tough prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, like my recommendation, Lindsey Halligan, to get things moving,” Trump said.
For now, conservative lawyer Mary “Maggie” Cleary has been named acting U.S. Attorney for the district, according to an internal email obtained by the Associated Press.
Speaking briefly to reporters later in the evening, Trump reveals his impatience with the pace of legal proceedings. “I just want people to act. And we want to act fast,” he said, adding that Democrats had been “ruthless and vicious” in pursuing charges against him after his first term.
READ ALSO: Trump criticises US networks, raises prospect of licence removal
“If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty, or if they should be charged, they should be charged, and we have to do it now,” he said.
