'He's not going to be constrained': Bush's AG issues urgent warning
Story by Matthew Chapman
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is worried about what will happen to the rule of law if former President Donald Trump is given a second term.
Gonzales, who led the Justice department under former President George W. Bush and supported Trump's federal criminal indictment , told Politico during a lengthy interview what he thinks of the controversial Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
Gonzales argued it was basically correct that presidents have presumptive immunity for official acts, but said the Supreme Court could have done a better job outlining what is clearly an "unofficial act."
What concerns Gonzalez more is what Trump, the Republican nominee, could do with executive branch power should he get a second chance at reclaiming the White House in 2025.
"It tells me something that his vice president hasn’t endorsed him," said Gonzales. "His secretary of Defense hasn’t endorsed him. His former national security adviser hasn’t endorsed him. That says something, doesn’t it? They know him best. They’ve worked with him on these very difficult decisions that have to be made in the White House. I don’t know him. I’ve only had one conversation in my life with him. But the fact that they won’t endorse him? They know something. They know something about this man."
The big problem, Gonzalez argued, is that "he’s not going to be constrained by the fear of losing a subsequent term in office. This will be it. Why would anyone think, given his record, that he would not abuse the power of the office? Just based on the record, I think everyone should have concerns about possible abuse if he becomes president of the United States again."
Trump has promised that if he is re-elected, he will shut down investigations into his past actions, consider pardoning at least some of the Jan. 6 rioters, and possibly become a dictator for just "day one."
The Heritage Foundation, meanwhile, has crafted a lengthy far-right government restructuring plan known as Project 2025 that would let Trump singularly wield executive and law enforcement power as he sees fit.
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Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is worried about what will happen to the rule of law if former President Donald Trump is given a second term.
Biden's defiance of the law at all levels has been on display for 4 years now.
Donald, last night at the RNC Convention spoke and said that God's providence is 'on him.' Of course, he won't constrain himself in a new "Donald" administration! God did it (let Donald tell it.)
The Establishment doesn't want Trump.
Another reason to vote for him.
Why anyone would listen to a Bush Administration official is beyond me?
Why doesn't the Press ask Gonzales about water boarding and torture? How soon they forget. They are willing to listen to anyone who is anti Trump.
So Gonzales doesn't endorse Trump. Who the hell cares?
George W. Bush’s Attorney General Is Worried About Trump
George W. Bush’s Attorney General Is Worried About Trump (continued.)
He’s saying this stuff out loud, repeatedly. He is saying if he comes back into power that he will use the Justice Department to target his political enemies — the Bidens and the prosecutors who are coming after him.
He’s admitted, at least for day one, he’ll be a dictator. So absolutely, am I worried? You bet I’m worried.
To play devil’s advocate, there are some people who say that Trump used this sort of rhetoric during his first term and when he was running for election in 2016, leading the chants of “lock her up” about Hillary Clinton. He did make efforts to pursue various perceived enemies but prosecutors ended up stopping him at various points — or grand juries potentially, or juries during the Biden administration if you talk about the Durham investigation.
How concerned are you about him being more effective in a second term in pursuing those sorts of vendettas?
I think he will do a better job of appointing people who will protect him, and I think that’s why control of the Senate is so vital. If the Democrats control the Senate, they’ll be able to exert some level of influence.
If the Republicans take control of the Senate, then he’ll be free to appoint people that will do his bidding.
I don’t think this is outlandish or this is outrageous. I think it’s very likely that this is going to happen. He will know what he needs to be more successful in carrying out his objectives. From my perspective — just based on the record and based on comments that he’s made — I think it’s much more likely he’ll be more effective in a second term in terms of pursuing his agenda.
In the first Trump term, Congress didn’t prove to be much of an impediment to his agenda in this area. Are you more optimistic that in a second term, Senate Republicans will step up and provide some sort of opposition or bulwark?
No, not really.
The other thing we have to be mindful of is that if Donald Trump is elected in November, it means the American people support his vision and support his policies, his style.
I have to respect that. I wouldn’t like it, but that’s the way it works in this country. You have elections, and you accept the outcome of the election. At least some of us do. Obviously Trump didn’t accept the outcome of the last election.
It would be exhausting to have to listen to all 81,000,000 reasons to avoid voting for Trump but then I recall that group letters - like Generals and former AGs - will speed things up.