Former President Donald Trump alleges that Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, not Attorney General Merrick Garland, is effectively leading the Justice Department.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
In an interview with Breitbart News, former President Donald Trump made striking claims about the inner workings of the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to Trump, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco is the real power behind the DOJ, overshadowing Attorney General Merrick Garland.
During the extensive interview at Mar-a-Lago, Trump discussed Monaco’s significant influence within the DOJ, describing her approach as “vicious” and “illegal.” He predicts that this will become more evident over the next year and a half. Trump linked Monaco to Andrew Weissman, a former general counsel at the FBI and a top official in Robert Mueller’s investigation into Trump. He described Weissman as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and implied that he is Monaco’s boss.
Monaco’s background includes serving as a Homeland Security adviser to former President Barack Obama and being closely associated with Susan Rice, Obama’s national security adviser. Rice later joined the Biden White House as a domestic policy adviser before leaving.
Several Republican sources, including a former congressman, have indicated to Breitbart News that Monaco’s role as deputy attorney general involves significant oversight of the DOJ’s decisions. This perception of Monaco’s outsized influence contrasts with the more visible role of Garland, who has faced controversies over DOJ politicization, especially regarding investigations and prosecutions of Biden’s political opponent, Trump.
The interview also touched on the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, after which Garland publicly stated he authorized the raid. In contrast, Monaco has recently defended the DOJ against Trump’s allegations of weaponization and politicization, emphasizing the dedication and impartiality of DOJ staff.
The role of Monaco in the DOJ and the department’s politicized nature of law enforcement have drawn the attention of congressional committees. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) sought a briefing from Monaco on Special Counsel John Durham’s findings related to the FBI’s actions during Trump’s presidency.
As investigations and congressional scrutiny intensify, Monaco’s decision-making and influence within the DOJ are likely to become central issues. With the 2024 presidential campaign on the horizon, and Trump’s potential nomination as the GOP candidate, these DOJ dynamics could become a focal point in the political narrative.