Schumer Warns of ’Dictatorial’ Path as Trump Calls for Action Against Political Opponents
WASHINGTON – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned Sunday that the United States is on a “path to dictatorship,” accusing President Donald Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department for political retribution. The remarks followed an explosive social media post by Trump on his Truth Social platform.
Schumer told CNN that Trump had turned the Justice Department into “an instrument that persecutes his enemies, nonetheless of whether they are guilty or not,” adding, “Dictatorships do that.”
Trump’s post called on Attorney General “Pam” - presumably referencing a nickname for a Justice Department official – to take action against political adversaries, stating they had suspended him twice from office and put him on trial five times “for no reason.” He demanded, “Justice must be manufactured now!!!”
The President specifically named former FBI Director James Comey, who led investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections and potential links between Moscow and Trump’s campaign. He also targeted Representative Adam Schiff, who played a key role in Democratic efforts to remove Trump from office and served on the January 6th investigation committee, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading a civil fraud case against Trump. Trump characterized James’s case as a political campaign.
In his message,Trump complained about a lack of action against Comey,Schiff,and james,claiming they were “terribly guilty.” He insisted,”We can no longer wait,that ruins our reputation and our credibility.”
Speaking to reporters,Trump reiterated his call for action,stating,”you have to act.You have to act now.” The President’s comments break with the tradition of U.S. presidents avoiding any appearance of influencing the independence of the judiciary.
