Society Members Sign Open Letter Opposing Retaliatory Investigations
Members and leadership of the Society have joined an open letter condemning recent retaliatory investigations of former national security officials, Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor.
The letter argues that the presidential memoranda represent a severe breach of legal and democratic norms. It highlights the misuse of executive power for political retribution and an unconstitutional attack on the First Amendment.
These executive actions represent a dangerous escalation in the abuse of presidential power: weaponizing federal agencies to carry out personalized retribution against named individuals.
Presidents of both parties have long respected the independence of federal law enforcement and refrained from using the power at their disposal to punish perceived enemies. Indeed, presidents have gone out of their way to avoid even the appearance of impropriety or influence.
Signatories to the letter include:
George Conway, Board President, Society for the Rule of Law
Barbara Comstock, Representative of the 10th District of Virginia from 2015 to 2019 (R)
Stuart M. Gerson, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division in the George H.W. Bush Administration from 1989 to 1993 and Acting United States Attorney General in the Clinton Administration in 1993
Peter Keisler, Acting Attorney General in the George W. Bush Administration in 2007; Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division from 2003 to 2007; Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General and Acting Associate Attorney General from 2002 to 2003; Assistant and Associate Counsel to President Ronald Reagan from 1986 to 1988
John B. Bellinger III, Legal Adviser, Department of State; Legal Adviser to NSC
Alan Charles Raul, Associate Counsel to President Reagan, OMB General Counsel, Vice Chairman of PCLOB
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