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Fox News analyst Andy McCarthy sharply criticized former President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ), arguing that Attorney General Pam Bondi is leading an effort to weaponize the department for political purposes.
In a scathing op-ed published Sunday in the National Journal, McCarthy condemned Bondi’s newly established “Weaponization Working Group,” accusing it of engaging in the very practices it claims to eliminate.
“News flash: Pam Bondi now represents the Justice Department — in fact, leads it. It is thus her ethical duty to advance whatever good-faith defense there is of the government’s conduct,” McCarthy wrote.
“If she is just going to spout Trump’s grievances without putting the Justice Department’s egregious behavior in context, then she’s engaging in partisan law enforcement, exactly the noxious practice she claims to be rooting out.”
Bondi, who was sworn in earlier this month as attorney general, previously served as Florida’s top prosecutor. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-46 vote.
Shortly after taking office, she launched a series of policy initiatives, including the creation of the Weaponization Working Group, which she claimed would “root out corruption” within the DOJ.
However, the initiative has been met with skepticism, particularly from Democratic lawmakers who have expressed concerns that Bondi would succumb to political pressure from Trump.
Critics worry she will use the traditionally independent department to prosecute Trump’s political opponents while shielding his allies from accountability.
McCarthy argued that Bondi’s efforts appear designed to serve Trump’s personal interests rather than uphold the principles of justice.
He pointed to Trump’s grievances with key legal figures involved in cases against him, including Biden-era special counsel Jack Smith, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
According to McCarthy, the working group will inevitably target officials within the DOJ and FBI who played a role in legal actions against Trump or his associates. He described this approach as an attempt to discredit legitimate investigations and reshape the department’s mission to align with Trump’s political agenda.
“Plainly, the ‘Weaponization Working Group’ exists to settle the president’s scores and rewrite dark chapters of his history — while providing him with quarterly assurances of Attorney General Bondi’s progress on what is now the Justice Department’s core mission,” McCarthy concluded.
The accusations highlight a growing divide over how the Justice Department should operate under Bondi’s leadership.
While Republicans have long argued that federal agencies were politicized against Trump during Biden’s presidency, Democrats contend that Trump’s administration is now attempting to use the DOJ as a political weapon.
McCarthy’s criticism is particularly striking given his background as a former federal prosecutor and a consistent conservative voice. Throughout Trump’s presidency, he defended many of his policies but remained skeptical of efforts to manipulate the legal system for partisan gains.
His latest remarks suggest that Bondi’s actions have crossed a line even for some on the right.
The controversy surrounding the Weaponization Working Group is expected to escalate as Bondi implements her policies. Some analysts predict that the group will focus on dismantling investigations linked to Trump while pursuing legal actions against his critics.
Such moves could intensify concerns about the integrity of the DOJ and further erode public trust in the department’s independence.
As Bondi moves forward with her agenda, scrutiny over her decisions will likely grow. If she follows through on Trump’s calls to prosecute his political rivals, legal experts warn that the DOJ could face severe backlash, both domestically and internationally.
Critics argue that any perceived politicization of law enforcement could have long-term consequences, potentially undermining the credibility of federal institutions.
Despite these concerns, Bondi has defended her actions, insisting that the DOJ needs reform and that past abuses must be addressed. She has framed the Weaponization Working Group as a necessary measure to restore fairness in federal law enforcement.
However, opponents remain unconvinced, viewing the initiative as a thinly veiled attempt to reshape the justice system to serve Trump’s political interests.
The debate over the DOJ’s role is likely to continue as Bondi’s tenure unfolds. If McCarthy’s warnings prove accurate, the department may face unprecedented internal conflicts over its direction.
Whether Bondi’s approach will ultimately strengthen or weaken the DOJ remains to be seen, but her leadership is already generating controversy just weeks into her new role.
As the situation develops, attention will remain on how the DOJ enforces the law and whether it maintains its independence from political influence.
The stakes are high, and the outcome of this battle could have lasting implications for the future of federal law enforcement in the United States.
