Congressional Democrats Hold Meeting on the Trump Administration Agenda

Source: C-Span
Type: congressional-testimony

Source Text

Excerpt only. Full source text is too long to reproduce here:

TRANSCRIPT
DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEES HELD A MEETING TO EXAMINE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S AGENDA AND PROTECTING THE RULE OF LAW. WITNESSES INCLUDE FORMER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ATTORNEYS FROM THE BIDEN AND TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONS. INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ENTITLEMENT AND ITS PRIVILEGE.

Adam B. Schiff
AND IMMIGRATION LAWYER SAID HE WOULD IMPLORE — RETURNING TO A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN EL SALVADOR, MEN WHO HAD BEEN DEPORTED IN VIOLATION OF THE ORDER. NOT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OR TO TAKE URGENT ACTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND SEEK THE MAN’S RETURN. THE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSE WAS TO PUNISH THE DEPARTMENT’S OWN LAWYER FOR SPEAKING TRUTHFULLY TO THE COURT. FOR FAILURE TO GIVE FULL THROATED DEFENSE TO THE DEPARTMENTS ILLEGAL ACT. THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY, WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED STATES IS UNDER ATTACK. NOT BY A FOREIGN ADVERSARY OR SOME DISTANT THREAT, THE RULE OF LAW IS BEING ATTACKED AND SUPPORTED FROM WITHIN FROM AN ADMINISTRATION INTOXICATED BY ITS OWN POWER AND ENABLED BY CONGRESS. DONALD TRUMP IS TAKING UNPRECEDENTED STEPS TO BEND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO HIS WILL AND HIS ADMINISTRATION IS MOVING SYSTEMATICALLY TO DISMANTLE THE LEGAL PILLARS THAT HOLD UP OUR DEMOCRACY. THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM, THE IDEA 2HAT 2ERSONAL JUSTICE, THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL, AND THE PRINCIPLE THAT NO ONE, NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT, IS ABOVE THE LAW. IF DONALD TRUMP AND HIS PERSONAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS ARE LETTING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUCCEED, THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE PROFOUND. THE IMPACT WILL BE FELT BY AMERICANS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS IS WHY RANKING MEMBER RASKIN AND I HAVE TAKEN THE EXTRAORDINARY STEP OF CONVENING INNOCENT PRESIDENT HEARING. WE BROUGHT TOGETHER BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE SENATE AND HOUSE TO CONDUCT REAL OVERSIGHT AND TO SERVE AS A CHECK AND BALANCE, TO HOLD THOSE WHOM ISSUES POWER TO ACCOUNT AND TO CARRY OUT A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY. CONVENING THIS HEARING WAS NOT OUR FIRST CHOICE. WE HAVE TRIED TO GET OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO HOLD HEARINGS, TO DO MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT, TO ASSERT CONGRESS’S AUTHORITY AS AN INDEPENDENT BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. BUT TO OUR GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT, OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE ABDICATED THAT IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY. THEY HAVE STOOD VICE PRESIDENT HAS RUN ROUGHSHOD OVER THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, TURNED CONGRESS INTO LITTLE MORE THAN A RUBBERSTAMP. SO TODAY WE WILL HOLD THE FIRST OF WHAT WE HOLD WILL BE MORE BICAMERAL OVERSIGHT HEARINGS AND WE WILL DO THE INVESTIGATIVE WORK THAT HER COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE REFUSED TO DO. WE WILL EXPOSE THE ILLEGALITY, ABUSE AND CORRUPTION OF THIS ADMINISTRATION AND WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. WE WILL HAVE BRAVE WITNESSES SPEAK TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, HOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO TRY TO INTIMIDATE THEM FROM SPEAKING OUT, AND WHITE MATTERS TO AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS FOLLOWING A WELL-WORN PLAYBOOK. HISTORY SERVES AS A GUIDE AND AS A MORNING. IN THE 1930’S, A JEWISH LAWYER IN BERLIN TRACKED METICULOUS DETAIL OF GERMANY GRADUALLY BECAME WHAT HE CALLED A DUAL STATE. FIRST TO KEEP THE COUNTRY RUNNING, THE ORDINARY LEGAL SYSTEM REMAINED IN PLACE FOR MOST PEOPLE. AND IT STEP-BY-STEP, A PARALLEL SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE AND LAW EMERGED. WHAT ONE SCHOLAR CALLED A LAWLESS ZONE. A PARALLEL SYSTEM CARRIED OUT THE WILL OF THE LEADER AND TO GO AFTER HIS ENEMIES, REAL OR FORESEEN, TO PUNISH, TO REWARD, TO GO UP. TO INTIMIDATE, SILENCE, OR TAKEOVER INSTITUTIONS THAT MAKE A SOCIETY FREE ENVIRONMENT. THE COURT, THE LAWYERS, THE UNIVERSITIES IMPRESSED, EVEN BUSINESSES. OVER TIME, THE EMERGING AUTHORITARIANISM WOULD SWALLOW WHAT REMAINED OF THE RULE OF LAW. AND NOW HUNGARY PROVIDES A MORE PRESENT WARNING. METHODICALLY, VIKTOR ORBAN HAS TRY TO DISMANTLE THE DEPENDENCE OF HUNGARY’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM, ITS EDUCATION SYSTEM IN FREE PRESS, UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY WHILE PRETENDING TO UPHOLD THE LAW. AND WE HAVE OUR OWN HISTORY THAT WE MUST NOT FORGET. IN THE 1950’S, IN THIS VERY INSTITUTION, SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY AND HIS NEIGHBORS WIELDED THE POWER OF THE GOVERNMENT TO GO AFTER PERCEIVED ENEMIES. MANY, SHAMEFULLY, DID NOT STAND UP AT THE TIME. SOME CHOSE EXPEDIENCY, POLITICAL GAIN OR PROFIT. OTHERS THOUGHT THEY COULD WEATHER THE STORM BY CUTTING DEALS OR STAYING SILENT. IF THIS SILENCE — IF IT SOUNDS EERILY FAMILIAR, IT’S BECAUSE IT IS. BUT THERE IS A SILVER LINING AND REASON FOR HOPE. THOSE WHO DEFENDED FELLOW AMERICANS THEN ARE NOW RIGHTFULLY VIEWED AS VINDICATED BY HISTORY. THE COURAGE DEMONSTRATED BY AMERICANS IN DECADES PAST MY BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD SERVE AS OUR INSPIRATION AND A ROADMAP, STANDING UP FOR THE RULE OF LAW, FOR EACH OTHER, AND FOR OUR DEMOCRACY. TODAY’S HEARING THEREFORE IS A STEP TOWARDS REAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY. OUR WITNESSES HAVE DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE COURAGE. LIKE RON CROSWELL WHO RESIGNED AFTER WITNESSING, AS WE ALL HAVE, THE CORRECT USE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICES POWER BY STRIKING AN ILLICIT BARGAIN WITH THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK TO DO THE ADMINISTRATION’S BIDDING. THESE WITNESSES REFUSED TO ENABLE A TWO-TIER SYSTEM OF JUSTICE THAT GRANTS FAVORS AND CUTS CORNERS FOR THE FAMOUS OR WEALTHY. AS WE WILL HEAR TODAY, THEY BRAVELY STOOD UP TO ONGOING EFFORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO INTIMIDATE THEM FROM SPEAKING TODAY. INCLUDING 2HEN 2HEY 2LAN 2O SEND MARSHALS TO THE HOME OF ONE OF OUR WITNESSES, LIZ HOYER, IN ORDER TO DISCOURAGE HER FROM TESTIFYING TODAY. THESE WITNESSES LIKE STACY YOUNG ARE SUPPORTING OTHERS CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. CONTINUE TO BE EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. ONE OF OUR WITNESSES, RACHEL COHEN, STOOD UP WHEN HER LAW FIRM WOULD NOT. EVEN AS OTHER LAW FIRMS BEAT A PATH TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO CAPITULATE TO THE EXTORTION EVERY CAMPAIGN OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, EVEN AS THAT CAMPAIGN WEAKENS THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL, THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH, AND THE RIGHT TO TAKE ON UNPOPULAR CAUSES. TODAY’S WITNESSES REPRESENT THE ANTIDOTE TO THE COLLECTIVE ACTION PROBLEM WE HAVE SEEN, WHEN LAW FIRMS, UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS RACED TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO CUT THEIR OWN DEALS RATHER THAN STAND ON PRINCIPLE. IN THIS DEFINING MOMENT, OUR INSTITUTIONS MUST NOT GROVEL BEFORE POWER. THEY MUST NOT RETREAT, THEY MUST STAND TOGETHER, THEY MUST LEAD. LAW FIRMS, UNIVERSITIES, PUBLIC SERVANTS, CONGRESS, EACH AS A UNIQUE ROLE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY BECAUSE THE DEMOCRACY THAT FAILS TO HOLD POWER TO ACCOUNT CEASES TO BE A DEMOCRACY AT ALL. BECAUSE WE CANNOT ALLOW THE LAW TO BE TWISTED INTO A TOOL OF PERSONAL OR POLITICAL VENGEANCE OR FAVOR AND WE CANNOT LET THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY GO UNCHALLENGED. BEFORE INTRODUCE THE WITNESSES, LET ME TURN TO MY COLLEAGUE, RANKING MEMBER RASKIN AND RANKING MEMBER DURBIN, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP DURING THIS MOMENT OF PROFOUND CHALLENGE. I’M GRATEFUL WE ARE CONVENING THIS HEARING TOGETHER AND I’M GRATEFUL FOR THE COURAGE OF TODAY’S WITNESSES, WHO HAVE REFUSED TO REMAIN SILENT. I NOW YIELD TO MY COLLEAGUE MR. RASKIN FOR HIS OPENING STATEMENT, FOLLOWED BY SENATOR DURBIN.

Jamie Raskin
THANK YOU FOR THOSE MOVING REMARKS, THANK YOU BOTH FOR WORKING WITH US TO HOLD THIS OVERSIGHT HEARING, WHICH REPUBLICANS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAPITAL — NEITHER SIDE WERE WILLING TO CALL. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR WITNESSES TODAY, YOUR BRAVERY IS INSPIRING TO AN ANXIOUS NATION TODAY, IN THE — EVEN IN THE FACE OF GREAT PRESSURE, EACH OF YOU HAS STOOD TALL AND HELD FAST TO EUROS TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. JUST AS THE PRESIDENT HAS CRASH THE STOCK MARKET WITH HIS ILLEGAL TARIFFS, HE HAS CRASHED THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH THIS DREADFUL APPOINTMENTS AND VINDICTIVE POLICIES. HE’S FEEL THE LEADERSHIP OF THE INFORMED JUSTICE WITH HIS PERSONAL LAWYERS, UNAPOLOGETICALLY EXTREMISTS SYCOPHANTS LIKE KASH PATEL WHO ELEVATE THEIR DEVOTION TO TRUMP OVER ANY SEMBLANCE OF FIDELITY TO THE CONSTITUTION, THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. OUR WITNESSES ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE REFUSED ABOUT DOWN AND BE COMPLICIT IN THE WAY SO MANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN COMPLICIT. THE PRESIDENT LARGE DOZENS OF DOJ LAWYERS SIMPLY FOR DOING THEIR JOBS AND PROSECUTING THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTIONISTS VIOLENTLY ASSAULTED AND WOUNDED MORE THAN 140 OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS THE REPUBLICANS SAY NOTHING THE PRESIDENT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS BANNING DISFAVORED LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS FROM FEDERAL BUILDINGS, FEDERAL COURTHOUSES, FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT, FEDERAL SECURITY CLEARANCES UNLESS THEY OFFER HIM LINE LOYALTY AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FREE PRO BONO SERVICES FOR HIS CAUSES AND THE REPUBLICANS SAY NOTHING. TRUMP SACKED 18 INSPECTORS GENERAL WHO SAVED US 91 BILLION DOLLARS IN ACTUAL WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE LAST YEAR. HIS TEAM GUTTED THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INTEGRITY AND SUSPENDED ENFORCEMENT OF THE FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT. THEY WITHDREW PROSECUTION OF NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ADAMS ON SERIOUS BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION CHARGES BECAUSE HE FORMED AN ALLIANCE WITH TRUMP, CAUSING SEVEN TOP PROSECUTORS TO RESIGN THEIR OFFICES, LED BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WHO CLERKED FOR JUSTICE SCALIA AND WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY. OUR GOP COLLEAGUES ARE 2ILENCE ABOUT THESE SCANDALOUS OFFENSES. BUT HOUSE REPUBLICANS, MANY ARE CALLING FOR IMPEACHMENT OF THE JUDGES WHO RENDERED 56 TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS OR INJUNCTIONS AGAINST HIS REIGN OF FEAR AND TERROR. THE PRESENT LET ELON MUSK GO ONLINE AND CALL THEM RADICAL LEFT, ROGUE JUDGES. EVEN JUDGE BO’S BAR, PILLAR OF THE BAR, AND A CHIEF JUDGE WHO WAS FIRST APPOINTED TO THE BENCH BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND WAS JUSTICE KAVANAUGH’S ROOMMATE AT YALE. WE HAVE ONLY IMPEACHED 15 JUDGES IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, ALWAYS FOR CORRUPTION OFFENSES, BRIBERY, TAX EVASION, HABITUAL DRUNKENNESS. NOT EVEN OCCASIONAL DRUNKENNESS, HABITUAL DRUNKENNESS. NEVER FOR DOCTRINAL DISAGREEMENT WITH THE RULINGS, MUCH LESS WHEN THE RULINGS ARE MANIFESTLY CORRECT. AS CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS PUT IT A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE PROPER RESPONSE TO A DECISION YOU DISAGREE WITH IN THE DISTRICT COURT IS TO APPEAL THE DECISION, NOT TO IMPEACH THE JUDGE. THEY ARE NOT MAKING AMERICA GREAT THEY ARE DEFINITELY MAKING THE GOVERNMENT CORRUPT AGAIN. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU WITNESSES FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP AGAINST THIS OUTRAGEOUS CORRUPTION OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AS IT CAME TO AFFECT YOU, AND WE ARE EAGER TO HEAR YOUR IMPORTANT STORIES. YOU WILL TEACH AMERICA HOW TO STAND TALL. MS. HOYER, I UNDERSTAND THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TRY TO SEND ARMED MARSHALS TO YOUR HOME AT NIGHT TO DELIVER A CLEAR MESSAGE NOT TO SPEAK TO US AT TODAY’S HEARING, AND YET I SEE YOU HERE TODAY, UNDAUNTED AND UNBOWED, PROVING TO MR. BLANCHE IN ANY OTHER TRUMP OFFICIAL THAT YOU CAN’T BULLY AND SILENCE EVERYONE. THAT KIND OF COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS, BUT WE MUST EMPHASIZE TO A WATCHFUL NATION THAT COURAGE IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF FEAR. REAL COURAGE, IN FAT, IS EXPERIENCING ALL THE FEAR THEM ALL THE TERROR OF THESE OFFICIAL THREATS AND HARASSMENTS, REGISTERING THE FEAR OF VIGILANTE AND ONLINE ATTACKS, METABOLIZING THE FEAR OF YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT HOUNDING YOU, BUT THEN PRESSING ON ANYWAY WITH CONVICTION AND PASSION FOR WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE RIGHT AND LAWFUL AND JUST. COURAGE, WHICH IS A VIRTUE, IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF FEAR, WHICH IS AN EMOTION, AND INDEED, A NECESSARY AND ADAPTED EMOTION. COURAGE IS THE OPPOSITE OF COWARDICE, WHICH IS A VICE. WORST COWARDS ARE THE TYRANTS AND DESPERATE’S THEMSELVES WHO CHOOSE TO TERRIFY OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALLOWED THEIR OWN TERRIBLE FEARS AND INSECURITIES TO TURN THEM INTO MONSTROUS, DEFORMED AND CRUEL PEOPLE. THE — BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ENABLE TYRANTS AND DESPOTS, WHO DO THEIR BIDDING AND WORK THEIR WILL AND FLATTER THEM AND BALANCE GREAT BEFORE THEM, THEY ARE COWARDS, TOO, UNDOUBTEDLY, AT LEAST IF THEY HAVE ANY CHOICE IN THE MATTER. EVERY AUTHORITARIAN REGIME RUNS ON LIES AND FEAR. EVERY AUTHORITARIAN REGIME HERE’S THE TRUTH AND FEARS PEOPLE WHO ACT JUSTLY AND DEFIANTLY, BASED UPON THE TRUTH. THAT MEANS THEY PEOPLE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE FEAR OF THIS MOMENT, FEELING IT, NONETHELESS DECIDING TO GO AHEAD AND ACT WITH COURAGE AND COMPOSURE AGAINST A TYRANT AND HIS ACCOMPLICES. I YIELD BACK TO MY VERY GOOD FRIEND, SENATOR SCHIFF, AND A TURN IT OVER TO MR. DURBIN FOR HIS OPENING STATEMENT.

Jamie Raskin
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CONGRESSMAN MARK RASKIN. IT’S AN HONOR — CONGRESSMAN RASKIN, IT’S AN HONOR TO BE HERE. OVER THIS LAST WEEK AND, MANY OF WHOM NEVER PARTICIPATED IN A POLITICAL EVENT, CAME OUT TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION. THERE WERE THOUSANDS AND SPRINKLE, ILLINOIS, SOME 50,000 IN CHICAGO, AND THAT THE STORY IS REPEATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WE ARE AT A UNIQUE MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY. PRESIDENTS HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES BUT FEW HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS WHICH WE ARE FACING NOW IN THIS COUNTRY. I WANT TO THANK CONGRESSMAN RASKIN FOR COMING HERE TODAY ALONG 2ITH 2IS 2OLLEAGUES FROM THE HOUSE AND I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE SENATE. BUT I WANT TO PARTICULARLY THANK SENATOR SCHIFF. HE’S IN A UNIQUE POSITION, BRIDGING THE EXPERIENCE YOU HAD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS ADMINISTRATION AND NOW IRRESPONSIBILITY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. THIS IS MAY BE UNIQUE IN AMERICAN HISTORY BUT IT IS CERTAINLY WARRANTED AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRINGING US TOGETHER. WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FACE TODAY, IT IS TRULY A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS. HOW DID THIS START? CERTAINLY IT STARTED WITH QUESTIONING A LEGITIMATE ELECTION AND THE OUTCOME. STOP THE STEAL MOVEMENT WAS IN INDICATION OF A PEER EFFORT TO STOP THE CONSTITUTION FROM WORKING ITS WAY. BUT THE COURTS REJECTED PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EFFORTS TO TURN THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION NOW WE SEE WHAT HE DOES IN HIS SECOND TERM. FIRST, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS GUTTED AND WEAPONIZED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND OUR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS SUPPOSED TO ENFORCE OUR LAWS TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS. PRESIDENT TRUMP APPOINTED HIS PERSONAL ATTORNEYS TO FILL NUMEROUS SENIOR POSITIONS AT DOJ INCLUDING ATTORNEY GENERAL AND DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL. AS MANY OF US PREDICTED, THE NEW DOJ LEADERSHIP HAS TREATED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LIKE THE PRESIDENTS PERSONAL LAW FIRM. FROM DISMISSING CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK, IN EXCHANGE FOR SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT’S POLICIES, TO RESTORING GUN RIGHTS TO DOMESTIC ABUSERS WHO SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT, TO THREATENING UNIVERSITIES THAT DON’T TOE THE MAGA LINE. IT HAS ABANDONED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW. WE NEED TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THIS WEAPONIZED JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THAT’S WHY LED THE JUDICIARY — TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATS IN FILING AGAINST EBOLA CORRUPT BARGAINING WITH MAYOR ADAMS. THAT’S WHY BLED AT THE SENATE JUDICIARY DEMOCRATS AND DEMANDING AN EXPO NATION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE FIRING OF A PATENT ATTORNEY AND THE RESTORATION, FOR GOD SAKES, OF MEL GIBSON’S GUN RIGHTS. THIS BRINGS ME TO THE SECOND WAY PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS THREATENED THE RULE OF LAW. TARGETING LAW FIRM SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DARED TO EMPLOY ATTORNEYS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN LITIGATION OR RECOMMENDATIONS — REPRESENTATIONS OF PRESIDENT DIDN’T CARE FOR. EVEN IN AN POPULAR AND POLITICALLY CHARGED CASES. THIS GOES BACK TO THE FOUNDING OF THE REPUBLIC. JOHN ADAMS, OUR SECOND PRESIDENT, AND ONE OF THE NATION’S FOUNDING FATHERS, FAMOUSLY REPRESENTED NINE BRITISH SOLDIERS ACCUSED OF PERPETRATING THE BOSTON MASSACRE. THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL IS SO FUNDAMENTAL THAT IT IS ENSHRINED IN THE SIXTH AMENDMENT. BUT INSTEAD OF PROTECTING AND DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION AS HE SWORE TO DO COME PRESIDENT TRUMP IS USED HIS POSITION TO SETTLE POLITICAL SCORES AND TARGET LAW FIRMS HE DEEMS INSUFFICIENTLY LOYAL. HE HAS ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ATTEMPTED TO SUSPEND SECURITY CLEARANCES, LIMIT ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND PROHIBIT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. IF THOSE ORDERS SAM WALLACE, IT’S BECAUSE THEY ARE. MULTIPLE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE APPROPRIATE BLOCKED LARGE PORTIONS OF THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS. THE REPUBLICANS ON THE FLOOR AND IN THE COMMITTEE COMPLAIN AND MOAN AND GROAN ABOUT ALL OF THE JUDICIAL CASES THAT HAVE BEEN RULING AGAINST HIM AND MANY HAVE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THIS PRESIDENT HAS ISSUED OVER 100 EXECUTIVE ORDERS, MANY OF WHICH FLY DIRECTLY IN THE FACE OF CLEAR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. THE PRESIDENT’S ACTIONS POSE AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO THE TARGET LAW FIRMS. SOME HAVE CAPITULATED. FOR OTHER FIRMS, EVEN THE THREAT OF ISSUING EXECUTIVE ORDERS IS ENOUGH TO LEAD THEM TO PREEMPTIVELY CUT DEALS WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. THAT OF COURSE IS THE POINT. THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO MAKE THEM THINK TWICE BEFORE TAKING ON THE CLIENT WHOSE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS THE KIND OF THING WE EXPECT FROM TINPOT DICTATORSHIPS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, BUT THESE KIND OF ATTACKS ON LAWYERS AND THE RULE OF LAW ARE UNPRECEDENTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THEY ARE NOT NORMAL AND WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THE WITNESSES AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE COMING FORWARD TODAY. IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE HEAR THIS STORY THAT EACH OF YOU HAS COME AND I WANT TO CLOSE BY SAYING TO ALL THOSE WHO GATHERED ACROSS AMERICA AND COMMUNICATE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA ASKING WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING TO TRY TO STOP THESE EXCESSES IN THESE VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENS ON THIS DAY, BECAUSE ON THIS DAY I THINK WE ARE MAKING HISTORY AT THE RIGHT MOMENT.

Dick Durbin
THANK YOU, RANKING MEMBER DURBIN. WE WILL NOW INTRODUCE THE WITNESSES AND THE USE WILL BE THE BRIEFEST OF INTRODUCTIONS SO WE CAN LEAVE MORE TIME FOR TESTIMONY AND QUESTIONS. TODAY WERE JOINED BY LIZ HOYER, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A PARDON ATTORNEY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WERE ALSO JOINED BY STACY YOUNG, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS AN ATTORNEY IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY RON CROSWELL WHO SERVED AS A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR IN THE PUBLIC INTEGRITY SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND RACHEL COHEN, WHO SERVED AN ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY AT ONE OF THE LARGEST LAW FIRMS IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR OPENING STATEMENTS.

…

Liz Oyer
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. EXACTLY ONE MONTH AGO, I WAS TERMINATED FROM MY JOB AS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT’S PARDON ATTORNEY. THE PARDON ATTORNEY IS A NONPOLITICAL POSITION THAT IS ENTRUSTED WITH ADVISING THE PRESIDENT ABOUT THE EXERCISE OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL CLEMENCY POWER. AND I WAS FIRED, THERE WERE OVER 6000 APPLICATIONS PENDING FROM ORDINARY AMERICANS AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO WERE SEEKING THE PRESIDENT’S AND SECOND CHANCES THROUGH CLEMENCY. I HAD PLANS TO TALK TODAY ABOUT THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO MY FIRING. BUT SOME MORE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS HAVE PERSUADED ME TO FOCUS MY TIME ON THE CALLOUS CRUELTY WITH WHICH DOJ LEADERSHIP IS TREATING DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE MYSELF. FOR ME, THIS BEGAN WITH MY ABRUPT FIRING. IT WAS 2:00 ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON. I WAS IN A CONFERENCE ROOM MEETING WITH COLLEAGUES FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT DOJ OFFICES. WE WERE BRAINSTORMING ABOUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT A PRIORITY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. HALFWAY THROUGH THE MEETING, I WAS FRANTICALLY PULLED OUT BY MY DEPUTY. IN THE HALLWAY, SHE BROKE THE NEWS TO ME THAT SECURITY OFFICERS WERE WAITING FOR ME IN MY OFFICE TO SERVE ME WITH TERMINATION PAPERS AND ESCORT ME OUT OF THE BUILDING. I RUSHED BACK TO MY OFFICE. THERE I WAS HANDED A THREE SENTENCE MEMO SIGNED BY DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE, FIRING ME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. I HAD NEVER MET MR. BLANCHE AND I RECEIVED NO EXPLANATION FOR HIS DECISION. THAT AFTERNOON I WALKED OUT OF THE BUILDING FOR THE LAST TIME, CARRYING A GROCERY BAG FILLED WITH MY PERSONAL EFFECTS. I HAD NO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO MY TEAM. I WAS IN SHOCK. EVERYONE I PASSED ON THE WAY OUT WAS LOOKING ON IN SHOCK AND HORROR. I WANT DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BLANCHE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI TO KNOW IT IS TRAUMATIC FOR EVERYONE IN AN ENTIRE ORGANIZATION TO SEE A BELOVED COLLEAGUE AND LEADER TREATED THAT WAY. MY HEART ACHES FOR MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAD TO GO BACK INTO THAT OFFICE ON MONDAY WITH NO EXPLANATION FROM DOJ 2EADERSHIP AND NO ASSURANCES ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THEM. THEY’RE GOOD, DEDICATED PEOPLE AND THEY DESERVE BETTER. AFTER I WAS FIRED, I CHOSE TO SPEAK PUBLICLY ABOUT THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO MY TERMINATION. I FELT THAT IT WAS MY OBLIGATION TO SHARE MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE RECKLESS AND UNETHICAL USE OF DEPARTMENT RESOURCES TO ACCOMPLISH POLITICAL OBJECTIVES, INCLUDING FAVORS FOR LOYALISTS AND FRIENDS. SHORTLY AFTER I DID SO, MR. BLANCHE CONTACTED THE MEDIA TO ACCUSE ME OF LYING. THIS STILL PUZZLES ME, BECAUSE HIS STAFF HAS ALL OF THE MEMOS AND EMAILS THAT SUBSTANTIATE EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER SAID. I REQUESTED THOSE DOCUMENTS F THROUGHOIA, BUT MR. BLANCHE’S STAFF HASN’T STILL NOT PRODUCE THEM. I’VE MADE SOME OTHER SIMPLE REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT SINCE MY FIRING. ONE WAS OF MY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS WHICH SHOWED I RECEIVED OUTSTANDING EVALUATIONS EVERY YEAR. ONE WAS PERSONAL DOCUMENT I WOULD NEED TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. DOJ RESPONDED TO ME THAT THESE WERE COMPLEX REQUESTS AND I COULD NOT EXPECT A RESPONSE IN ANY REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. FOR WEEKS AFTER MY FIRING, DOJ ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH DOCUMENTS ABOUT MY BENEFITS, INCLUDING MY HEALTH INSURANCE AND INCLUDING MY RETIREMENT PLAN. FINALLY, ON APRIL 2, AFTER MY REQUESTS DOES SOME MEDIA ATTENTION, I GOT AN EMAIL ADVISING ME MY HEALTH INSURANCE WOULD EXPIRE IN FIVE DAYS. I LEARNED THAT TO EXTEND MY COVERAGE, THE COST TO ME AND MY FAMILY WOULD MORE THAN QUADRUPLE. I WAS TOLD THAT TO KEEP MY FAMILY MEMBERS COVERED, I WOULD HAVE TO PROVE MY FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE MY MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF MY CHILD, AND PROOF OF A COMMON RESIDENCE OR JOINT TAX FILINGS WITH MY SPOUSE. PERHAPS THE MOST PERSONALLY UPSETTING PART OF THE STORY IS THE LENGTHS TO WHICH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS GONE TO PREVENT ME FROM TESTIFYING HERE TODAY. ON FRIDAY NIGHT AROUND 9:15, I LEARNED THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE HAD DIRECTED THE DEPARTMENT SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PLANNING SERVICE TO SEND TWO ARMED SPECIAL DEPUTY U.S. MARSHALS TO MY HOME TO SERVE ME WITH A LETTER. THE LETTER WAS TO BE SERVED AT MY HOME BETWEEN 9:00 AND 10:00 ON FRIDAY NIGHT. I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY PARENTS, WHO ARE SITTING BEHIND ME TODAY, WHEN I GOT THE NEWS THE OFFICERS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO MY HOUSE WHERE MY TEENAGE CHILD WAS HOME ALONE. FORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE GRACE OF A VERY DECENT PERSON WHO UNDERSTOOD HOW UPSETTING THIS WOULD BE TO MY FAMILY, I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THE LETTER TO AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND THE DEPUTIES WERE CALLED OFF. THE LETTER HAD BEEN EMAILED TO ME JUST BEFORE 8:00 THAT NIGHT. AT NO POINT DID MR. BLANCHE’S STAFF PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ME BEFORE THEY SENT ARMED DEPUTIES TO MY HOME. THE LETTER WAS A WARNING TO ME ABOUT THE RISKS OF TESTIFYING HERE TODAY. BUT I AM HERE BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE BULLIED INTO CONCEALING THE ONGOING CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF POWER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. DOJ IS ENTRUSTED WITH KEEPING US SAFE, UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW, AND PROTECTING OUR CIVIL RIGHTS. IT IS NOT A PERSONAL FAVOR BANK FOR THE PRESIDENT. IT IS CAREER — ITS CAREER EMPLOYEES ARE NOT THE PRESIDENT’S 2ERSONAL 2EBT COLLECTORS. EYES SEE ONLY DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS HERE TODAY, BUT THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. IT SHOULD ALARM ALL AMERICANS THAT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPEARS TO VALUE POLITICAL LOYALTY ABOVE THE FAIR AND RESPONSIBLE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. IT SHOULD OFFEND ALL AMERICANS THAT OUR LEADERS ARE TREATING PUBLIC SERVANTS WITH A LACK OF BASIC DECENCY AND HUMANITY. THANK YOU.

|SEN. SCHIFF
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY AND FOR THE COURAGE YOU DEMONSTRATED BY BEING HERE.

Liz Oyer
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE MR. RYAN CROSWELL, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND RACHEL COHEN, WHO EASILY SERVED AS ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY AT ONE OF THE LARGEST LAW FIRMS IN THE WORLD. WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE. AND NOW, MR. CROSWELL, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.

Liz Oyer
GOOD AFTERNOON. RANKING MEMBER RASKIN, RANKING MEMBER DURBIN, SENATOR SCHIFF, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEES, FOR 10 YEARS I SERVED AS FEDERAL PROSECUTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BUT I STARTED MY CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE AS AN OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. I WAS MOTIVATED TO JOIN THE MILITARY AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. AND I TRIED TO LIVE MY LIFE BY THE MARINE CORPS ETHOS, HONOR, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT. MY CAREER AS A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR STARTED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA WHERE I PROSECUTED WHITE COLLAR FRAUDSTERS, DRUG TRAFFICKERS, CHILD PREDATORS, AND VIOLENT CRIMINALS. I THEN SERVED AS PROSECUTOR IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. I PROSECUTED BORDER CRIMES INCLUDING IMMIGRATION OFFENSES AND THE SMUGGLING OF DANGEROUS DRUGS INTO THIS COUNTRY FROM MEXICO. FINALLY, FOR THE LAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, I SERVED AS PROSECUTOR WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC INTEGRITY SECTION. THE PUBLIC INTEGRITY SECTION WAS FORMED IN THE AFTERMATH OF WATERGATE, AND IT PROSECUTES CORRUPTION AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. THROUGHOUT MY TIME WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, I FOLLOWED THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE ALL FEDERAL PROSECUTORS. FOLLOW THE FACTS AND THE LAW WERE EVERYTHING MAY LEAD. SEEK JUSTICE IN AN EVENHANDED AND APOLITICAL MANNER. ACT WITH FAIRNESS, AND IMPARTIALITY, INTEGRITY, AND ADHERENCE TO THE RULE OF LAW. ON FEBRUARY 17 OF THIS YEAR, I RESIGNED FROM THE DEPARTMENT AS PART OF A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE SADDEST IN THE DEPARTMENT’S HISTORY. I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT I HAD NO ROLE IN THE PROSECUTION OF NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS. MY KNOWLEDGE AS THE FACTS AND EVIDENCE ARE LIMITED TO THAT HAS BEEN PUBLICLY REPORTED. TO THAT, I SPEAK TO MYSELF AND MYSELF ALONE. THE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LED TO MY RESIGNATION BEGAN WHEN THE ACTING DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ORDERED THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IN NEW YORK TO DISMISS THE CASE AGAINST MAYOR ADAMS. THIS WAS NOT BASED ON THE PROSECUTION’S THIS WAS NOT BASED ON THE PROSECUTION. AND MERITS, AND WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE CASE WAS DISMISSED WITHOUT ASSESSING THE STRENGTH OF THE EVIDENCE OR THE LEGAL THEORIES ON WHICH THE CASE IS BASED. THIS ACTION LEVERAGED IN THE THREAT OF FUTURE PROSECUTION TO ENSURE CLINICAL COMPLIANCE. THE MESSAGE THAT THIS SENT, INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY, WAS THAT PUBLIC OFFICIALS MAY BE PROSECUTED OR PROTECTED FROM PROSECUTION AS LONG AS THEY ARE POLITICALLY ALIGNED 2ITH 2HE 2RUMP ADMINISTRATION. IN A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING JUSTICE SYSTEM, ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL WISHING TO AVOID PRISON HAS TO LIVE BY ONE RULE OF THUMB. OBEY OUR NATION’S LAWS. AND THIS ACTION RAISED AND EVEN MORE CHILLING QUESTION. IS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD DROP CHARGES AGAINST THOSE WHO ACQUIESCE TO APOLITICAL DEMAND A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THAT WILL BRING CHARGES AGAINST THOSE WHO DON’T? WHEN THE ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK STOOD UP FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND RESIGNED RATHER THAN CARRYING OUT THE ORDER, THE CASE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PUBLIC INTEGRITY SECTION. WHEN OUR ACTING CHIEF AND OUR DEPUTY CHIEFS STOOD UP FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND RESIGNED RATHER THAN CARRY OUT THE ORDER, THE REMAINING ATTORNEYS IN OUR SECTION WERE ORDERED TO FIND TWO ATTORNEYS TO SIGN A MOTION TO DISMISS. ULTIMATELY COME A ONE OF OUR ATTORNEYS SIGNED THE MOTION TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION. THE PUBLIC INTEGRITY SECTION HAS PROTECTED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST ABUSES OF POWER FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS. BUT IT WAS NEARLY ELIMINATED IN ONE HOUR FOR DISMISSAL CHARGES AGAINST A MAN THAT A GRAND JURY HAD FOUND ENGAGED IN A CRIMINALLY ABUSE OF POWER HIMSELF. AT THIS POINT, TOO MANY LINES HAVE BEEN CROSSED, AND SO I TOO RESIGNED. THE THREATS AGAINST CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, BOTH IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND PRIVATE PRACTICE, ARE REAL AND THEY ARE OF CONSEQUENCE. TO THOSE ATTORNEYS FACING SUCH THREATS, I SHARE WITH YOU A MESSAGE THAT I RECEIVED ON THE DAY THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I WERE ORDERED TO DISMISS THE ADAMS CASE. IT CAME FROM A FELLOW MARINE. IT READ, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND KEEP YOUR VALUES AND YOUR OATH AT THE FOREFRONT. EVERY ATTORNEY WHO TAKES AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND EVERY CITIZEN WHO VALUES DEMOCRACY MUST HAVE A LINE IN THE SAND THAT CANNOT BE CROSSED. SPEAKING OUT AND DOING THE RIGHT THING INCREASINGLY COMES WITH PERSONAL RISK. BUT THE DAY AFTER I RESIGNED, MY SISTER HAD HER FIRST DAUGHTER. AND I WANT MY NIECE TO KNOW THE SAME DEMOCRACY THAT I HAVE KNOWN. THAT IS WORTH ANY COST. THAT IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR. THANK YOU.

Ryan Crosswell
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CROSSWELL. MISS COHEN, YOUR OPENING STATEMENT. I SHOULD TAKE A SECOND A PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO SAY MISS COHEN WAS VERY CLOSE FRIENDS WITH MY SON TOMMY AT HARVARD LAW SCHOOL, AND HE ALWAYS TOLD ME YOU ARE A WOMAN OF GREAT INTELLIGENCE AND GREAT CHARACTER. IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

Rachel Cohen
THANK YOU. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE MEMBERS TODAY. I ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST MONDAY OF UNEMPLOYMENT I ANTICIPATED, BUT I SHOULD BE HERE. I ATTENDED MY CONDITIONAL RESIGNATION WHERE I WAS EMPLOYED AS A FINANCE ASSOCIATE. I DID SO BECAUSE I BELIEVE OUR COUNTRY IS TEETERING ON THE BRINK OF AUTHORITARIANISM AND THAT MANY LEADERS OF OUR MOST PRESTIGIOUS AND PROFITABLE LAW FIRMS RECOGNIZE THIS RISK AND CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID. IT IS LIKELY THEY ARE AFRAID OF LOSING PROFITS, BUT I THINK IT IS ALSO LIKELY THAT THESE LEADERS ARE AFRAID BECAUSE STANDING UP TO AUTHORITARIANISM IS SCARY. IT IS EASIER TO IGNORE WHAT IS HAPPENING THEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FIGHT THAT LIES AHEAD. I RESIGNED AMIDST A SEA WAS OF A TAX ON THE LEGAL PROFESSION THAT BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25 WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TRIP TO A LARGE LAW FIRM OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS FOR REPRESENTING SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH DURING HIS INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESIDENT. THEN THE PRESIDENT ENTERED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AGAINST A LAW FIRM, NOT ONLY STRIPPING PERKINS OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, BUT ALSO TARGETING THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTORS THAT RETAINED PERKINS AS COUNSEL. AGAIN, THE MINISTER SHOULD NAMED PERKINS’ PAST REPRESENTATION OF CLIENTS AND CAUSES THE PRESIDENT DISLIKES AS THE CAUSE. PERKINS CHOSE TO FIGHT BACK. IT CHALLENGED THIS BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDER AND SUCCESSFULLY WON A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER THE NEXT DAY. IN A NORMAL PRESIDENCY, THIS SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE ADMINISTRATION. PRESS PAUSE WHILE THE PERKINS EXECUTIVE ORDER IS LITIGATED. BUT THE PRESIDENT CONTINUE TO ENTER EXECUTIVE ORDERS TARGETING FIRMS BASED ON PAST REPRESENTATION. ENTER PAUL WEISS, THE NEXT TARGET OF AN EXECUTIVE ORDER. INSTEAD OF FIGHTING BACK, PAUL WEISS OFFERED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION 40 MILLION IN PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR PET PROJECTS AND PROMISED TO EVALUATE HIRING AND RETENTION PRACTICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRESIDENT. HE WITHDREW THE ORDER. PAUL WEISS'S DECISION WAS A STUNNING BETRAYAL OF THE FIRM'S ASSOCIATES AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM THAT MADE ITS PARTNERSHIP VERY, VERY RICH. LIKE CALLING THIS HEARING, RESIGNATION WAS NOT MY FIRST CHOICE. THROUGHOUT THIS PERIOD, ASSOCIATES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY WERE ENGAGED IN MEASURED ADVOCACY INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY, HOPING TO GET OUR FIRMS TO BAND TOGETHER AND STAND UP TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S ATTACKS ON THE BROADER LEGAL PROFESSION. PAUL WEISS'S CAPITULATION MADE ME REALIZE FIRM LEADERSHIP WAS NOT MOTIVATED TO ACT COLLECTIVELY. I BECAME CERTAIN MY EMPLOYER WAS NOT GOING TO BE BRAVE, AND SO I RESIGNED. I WAS HEARTBROKEN TO BE PROVEN RIGHT EIGHT DAYS LATER ON MARCH 28 ONE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS PROMISED 100 MILLION IN PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES DESPITE NO ORDER BEING ENTERED AGAINST THEM. OTHER ASSOCIATES RESIGNED IN PROTEST, TWO OF THEM PUBLICLY. THEY ARE SITTING BEHIND ME, AND I AM SO UNBELIEVABLY GRATEFUL. WE DID SO BECAUSE OUR ADVERSARIAL LEGAL SYSTEM ONLY FUNCTIONS WHEN PARTIES HAVE REPRESENTATION. EVERYONE DESERVES AN ADVOCATE. THAT PENTACLE IS A BOOK BY OFFER PARTNERS TO JUSTIFY HIGH PROFIT BUT DISTASTEFUL REPRESENTATIONS. EVERYONE DESERVES AN ADVOCATE. AMERICAN JUSTICE IS NOT WITHOUT SKILLED LAWYERS MERITORIOUS LAWSUITS MAY NEVER BE BROUGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE. PUBLIC INTEREST ATTORNEYS THEMSELVES SEPARATELY TARGETED BY THE ADMINISTRATION ARE NOW ALSO SCRAMBLING TO REPLACE RESOURCES AND ATTENTION. THESE FIRMS TO SROKA PROVIDED AS A FIGHT UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS AND FIGHT TO PROVIDE REPRESENTATION TO CLIENTS IN NEED. COURTS ARE PERHAPS OUR LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST AUTHORITARIANISM. I WAS RAISED TO ADVOCATE AND BE AWARE OF THE RACIAL, FINANCIAL, AND OTHER PRIVILEGES I HOLD THAT MAKE IT MORE LIKELY MY VOICE WILL BE HEARD IN HALLS OF POWER. I AM THE DAUGHTER OF TWO GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS WHO BOTH SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL IN OHIO, MY BEST FRIEND WAS THE ONLY LATINA STUDENT IN A CLASS AND FACED OVERT RACISM. AND I REMEMBER FOLLOWING A PARTICULARLY EGREGIOUS INCIDENT WHEN WE WENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OFFICE HOW MY OUTRAGE WAS HEARD MORE THAN HERS. AFTER STUDYING POLITICAL SCIENCE AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, I SPENT FOUR YEARS TEACHING AND SOME OF MY STUDENTS WHO ARE WATCHING NOW ARE BRAVE AND SMART AND BOLD, BUT THERE WERE MANY TIMES WHERE DESPITE THE SELF EVIDENCE OF MY STUDENTS’S BRILLIANCE, PEOPLE DID NOT BELIEVE IT UNTIL A WHITE NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER REPORTED IT OUT. THE COWARDICE OR APATHY IN SOME OF THESE SPACES AT TIMES CAUSED DISILLUSIONMENT, 2UT 2HOSE 2EAR TO BE INCLUDING YOUR SON CONGRESSMAN RASKIN MADE SURE I REMEMBERED THAT JUST BECAUSE SUCH COWARDICE IS COMMON DOES NOT MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE. AS YOU SAID, COURAGE IS A CHOICE. I WAS ASKED HERE BECAUSE MY VOICE IS LOUD, BUT I CAME HERE FOR THE SAME REASON I RESIGNED. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE VERY REAL PEOPLE WHOSE VOICES ARE NOT HEARD IN THE SAME WAY TO HAVE AN ADVOCATE TODAY AND ALWAYS. THIS ADVOCACY CANNOT BE DEFINED BY FEAR OF FUTURE RETRIBUTION. MY STUDENTS AND NONWHITE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES DESERVE GREAT ADVOCATES — DESERVE BRAVE ADVOCATES. THEY DESERVE BRAVE ADVOCATES. PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTION CARE OR BIRTH CONTROL OR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE DESERVE BRAVE ADVOCATES. AND TO BE CLEAR, EVERYONE ELSE THE LAW FIRM PARTNERS, THE VOTERS WHO PUT TRUMP INTO OFFICE AND ARE WAITING AND WILL WAIT FOREVER FOR HIM TO CARE ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THEY FACE. THOSE OF US IN THIS ROOM TODAY, WE ALL DESERVE BRAVE ADVOCATES. THE ADMINISTER SHOULD CANNOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHO GETS REPRESENTATION. IT CANNOT USE EXECUTIVE POWER TO SCARE LAWYERS OUT OF ADVOCACY. IF WE ALLOW ANY PRESIDENT TO DICTATE WHO DESERVES A LAWYER, OUR LEGAL SYSTEM FAILS. LIKE FIRM LEADERS, I AM AFRAID OF WHERE THIS INTIMIDATION CAMPAIGN LEADS. BUT UNLIKE MOST OF THEM, I WILL NOT ALLOW MY FEAR TO MANIFEST AS SILENCE. I CHOOSE COURAGE. THANK YOU

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Events Citing This Source

Event	Date	Category
DOGE Unlawful Access and Mass Firings	2025 ongoing	Abuse of Power

People Mentioned

Person	Role

Institutions Mentioned

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