Trump allies launch Effort to publicly Shame Those Who Investigated Him, Raising Concerns About Due Process
WASHINGTON – A new initiative lead by former Trump administration officials is raising concerns about potential breaches of Justice Department norms and the fairness of investigations targeting allies of the former president. Ed Martin, formerly president of the Eagle Forum education & Legal Defense Fund, now leads a “Weaponization Working Group” focused on identifying individuals perceived to have unfairly targeted Donald Trump, possibly subjecting them to public scrutiny even without criminal charges.
The group’s stated aim – to “name” and “shame” those it deems responsible for actions against Trump – departs from established Justice Department policy, which discourages prosecutors from publicly commenting on individuals lacking sufficient evidence for charges or those who haven’t been charged. This approach has sparked criticism from legal experts who warn of the potential for reputational damage and undue stress on those accused.
Martin, speaking to reporters upon assuming his new role, stated, “there are some really bad actors, some people that did some really bad things to the American people. And if they can be charged, we’ll charge them. But if they can’t be charged, we will name them. And in a culture that respects shame, they should be people that are shamed.”
The concerns extend to the significant financial and emotional toll investigations take on individuals, even those ultimately acquitted. Wayne, of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, emphasized the stress of being accused by the government, stating, “I can’t imagine anything more stressful than being accused by the government and carrying the weight of that as an individual in this country.”
The experience of D.C. lawyer Michael Sussmann, investigated by a special counsel for his work with Hillary Clinton’s campaign, illustrates the lasting impact of such investigations. Despite a jury finding him not guilty of making a false statement to the FBI in 2022, Sussmann expressed exhaustion and relief, noting the difficulty the past year had been for his family.
Historically, even those cleared of charges have struggled to restore their reputations. In the 1980s, former Reagan Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan, acquitted of fraud charges, famously asked, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?”
The Weaponization Working Group’s efforts signal a potentially new tactic in the ongoing political battles surrounding Trump, raising questions about the boundaries of permissible scrutiny and the protection of individual rights within the legal system. Martin previously worked with Jeffrey clark, former Acting Assistant Attorney General, during a January 6th field hearing at the U.S. Capitol on June 13, 2023.
