Panel VII – "Politics and Prosecutors: How Bad is the Damage to the DOJ and FBI?"

Описание: The Department of Justice has long prided itself on professionalism and independence from inappropriate political interference, as has the Federal Bureau of Investigation. But both have faced severe pressure during the present administration, as senior political officials have launched purges of longstanding career employees and appeared to put the agencies in the service, not of the law, but of the occupant of the White House. Defenders of the administration claim it is simply correcting for bias and weaponization by the prior administration.

This panel assessed the extent of the damage: how much the DOJ’s credibility has eroded, how deeply political influence has penetrated prosecutorial decision-making, how badly the FBI’s investigative capacities have been undermined, and what all of this means for the rule of law. Panelists considered whether institutional norms and internal safeguards are strong enough to withstand these pressures, what reforms might be needed to restore public trust, and how prosecutors and special agents can continue to serve justice in a polarized environment.

Featured speakers:
• Peter Keisler, Former Acting Attorney General
• Stuart Gerson, Former Acting Attorney General
• Donald Ayer, Fmr. Deputy Attorney General
• Brendan Ballou, Former January 6 Prosecutor
• Michael Feinberg, Former FBI Agent

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