CNN anchor Don Lemon argued that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently less politicized than under former President Donald Trump’s administration during an exchange with a former Trump defense attorney.
David Schoen, Trump’s former defense attorney in his second 2021 impeachment trial, argued that the January 6th Committee made a “partisan” decision to recommend four criminal charges against the former president for the events that erupted at the Capitol riot. Lemon suggested that the evidence of the case outweighs who is on the committee.
“You said that many people won’t accept the result because of who the messenger is. Why does a messenger matter so much than the actual evidence and the act?” Lemon asked.
“Because evidence can be skewed by the messenger. In other words, it might only seek out—”
“Not in Trump’s Department of Justice, come on David,” Lemon interjected. “Not when it comes to the Department of Justice. The evidence matters over who the messenger is, come on, let’s be real.”
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Schoen argued that the DOJ has been “politicized” in every administration, leading Lemon to immediately push back. (RELATED: ‘As A Prosecutor’: Don Lemon And CNN Analyst Spar Over Whether Trump Is Guilty)
“That’s not true, that’s not true,” Lemon said. “The Department of Justice has not been politicized the way it has in with the former administration.”
“Well that’s your view,” the attorney said.
“No, that’s not just my view. Those are the facts. All evidence points in that direction,” Lemon said.
“Again, that’s your view,” Schoen repeated.
“That’s not my view, it’s a fact,” Lemon concluded.
The Select Committee recommended that the DOJ charge Trump with obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the government, conspiracy to make a false statement and inciting or assisting an insurrection. The DOJ is currently conducting its own investigation into the proceeding.
The committee also recommended that the House Ethics Committee investigate Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania for refusing to participate in testimonies despite receiving subpoenas.