- Top Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and Robert Garcia declare the US Justice Department untrustworthy under AG Pam Bondi and President Trump.
- Remarks follow DOJ actions: arrest of Don Lemon for protest coverage, Fulton County election office raids, and selective civil rights probes into Minneapolis shootings.
- Democrats criticise partial Jeffrey Epstein files release as incomplete despite legal mandates.
- White House calls statements "shameful," accusing Democrats of prior DOJ weaponisation against political foes.
Washington (Washington Insider Magazine) January 31, 2026 – Leading Democrats including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Robert Garcia have stated publicly that the US Department of Justice cannot be trusted under Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump. Their remarks followed a series of department actions, including the arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon, raids in Fulton County, Georgia, decisions on civil rights probes into Minneapolis shootings, and partial release of Jeffrey Epstein files. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly described the comments as "shameful" from Democrats who allegedly supported prior weaponisation of the department.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries addressed the press in Washington on Friday, delivering a direct indictment of the Justice Department's current leadership.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar
Jeffries:
"We cannot trust the Department of Justice. They're an illegitimate organization right now under the leadership of Pam Bondi and the direction of Donald Trump."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 30, 2026
Democratic Statements Follow DOJ Actions in Minneapolis Shootings
The Justice Department has resisted launching civil rights investigations into two fatal shootings of US citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. In the first incident, 37-year-old Renee Good was shot while attempting to drive away from federal agents during a tense exchange. The department decided not to open a civil rights probe into Good's shooting.
In the second incident, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot while surrounded by agents, on the ground, and disarmed. The department initially resisted but later announced a civil rights investigation into Pretti's death.
Rep. Garcia called for independent investigations by local or state law enforcement or a special counsel into both shootings, citing practices from his time as Long Beach mayor. He described the incidents as "murder by our own government" and noted his committee's work on a major report to hold those responsible accountable.
Garcia criticised Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other officials for immediately characterising Good and Pretti as violent threats, contradicting video evidence.
Justice Department Raids Fulton County Election Office
On Wednesday, the FBI raided and seized voter ballots and other information from the election headquarters in Fulton County, Georgia. Fulton County has been a focus of President Trump's claims regarding the 2020 election. Attorney General Pam Bondi was an early supporter of those claims, as were other department appointees.
Arrest of Journalists Including Don Lemon Sparks Outrage
Federal agents arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon and other journalists on Friday after their coverage of a protest at a conservative church in Minneapolis. Justice Department officials stated the arrests were for violating the rights of churchgoers, rejecting 1st Amendment claims.
The department sought warrants from multiple judges, who denied them, before a federal grand jury issued an indictment. Rep. Garcia claimed the indictment relied on untrustworthy information.
Jeffries called the arrest an attempt to weaponise government against dissenters, with "zero basis" for it. He described it as one reason Democrats are pushing legislation for independent probes into federal agent incidents.
Sen. Alex Padilla stated: "The American people deserve answers as to why Trump's lawless Justice Department is arresting journalists for simply doing their jobs." Sen. Adam Schiff added: "The arrest of journalists for covering a protest is a grave attack on the 1st Amendment and freedom of the press."
Garcia termed Lemon's arrest "horrifying," calling it "the single largest attack on the free press and the 1st Amendment in the modern era," noting Lemon was reporting at the scene.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, heading the Civil Rights Division, had criticised Lemon online beforehand, stating she and Bondi "will not tolerate harassment of Americans at worship — especially from agitators posing as 'journalists'."
Partial Release of Epstein Files Draws Criticism
The Justice Department released additional Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday, complying with a November-passed law mandating public disclosure by 19 December 2025. The files, posted on the department's website, include several million pages, though some remain withheld.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release. Previously released records contained allegations against President Trump, which the department described as "untrue and sensationalist claims" lacking credibility.
Rep. Garcia stated the department intends to withhold about 50 per cent of the files while claiming full compliance, calling it "outracious and incredibly concerning." He noted his committee subpoenaed all files over the summer, with non-compliance by Bondi.
Rep. Ro Khanna, co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, noted the release's incompleteness.
White House and DOJ Responses to Democratic Remarks
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded:
"Shameful comments by Democrats who cheered on Joe Biden's weaponisation of the Department of Justice against his political enemies, including President Trump."
She added Trump, Bondi and officials have
"quickly Made America Safe Again by taking violent criminals off the streets, cracking down on fraud, holding bad actors accountable, and more."
The Justice Department defended its actions as justified and necessary for the rule of law. Dhillon and Blanche have addressed specific cases publicly.
The department did not respond to requests for comment on Democratic statements.
Democratic Oversight and Impeachment Efforts
Rep. Garcia announced a leading role in impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over mass deportation efforts, including agent deployments to cities like Minneapolis and Los Angeles.
House Democrats are advancing legislation for independent local and state investigations into federal agent violence.
Context of Trump Administration DOJ Appointments
President Trump has appointed loyalists including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (former personal attorney), and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to key positions.
Broader Judicial Concerns Over DOJ Credibility
Federal judges have questioned DOJ statements in court, with trends of scepticism noted. In one case, a judge threatened discipline against a Trump DOJ lawyer for potential false statements.
Reports indicate grand juries rejected multiple DOJ cases, contrasting prior years.
Political science professor Thad Kousser commented on risks to institutional trust, noting historical fluctuations but baseline support for government structures.
The Democrats' statements and DOJ actions occur amid ongoing political tensions over the department's independence.