(The Center Square) – Jabs between Democrats and Republicans over the rule of law or loyalty to an executive were on display during separate hearings in Washington D.C. involving chief government attorneys.
Titled “Defending the Rights of the People: States and Congressional Allies Fight Back Against Trump’s Constitutional Abuses,” congressional Democrats held a “spotlight” panel with Democratic attorneys general from various states.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he isn’t beholden to the governor. He’s beholden to the rule of law.
“I think that the U.S. attorney general should operate with the same sort of, he or she shouldn’t be loyal to the president, but she should be loyal to the rule of law,” Raoul said.
In a separate House Appropriations Committee hearing Monday on the U.S. Department of Justice’s budget proposal, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said it was the Democratic Biden administration that was weaponizing government.
“They were arresting peaceful protesters, the Biden administration, at abortion facilities. No longer,” Bondi said. “They targeted Catholics at church services. No longer. No longer will parents be arrested at school board meetings because they care about their children. That has ended under this department.”
Bondi and Raoul are on opposite sides of litigation challenging Illinois’ lax policies on enforcing federal immigration law.
During the Democratic panel, Raoul defended Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies. He also sounded off on the Trump administration’s use of the National Guard in California and said it’s based on party affiliation.
“Not on general immigration policy,” Raoul said. “You know, we continue to try to litigate the best we can.”
Raoul joined Illinois to California’s lawsuit against the Trump administration using the National Guard in Los Angeles to protect federal personnel and property.
Bondi told the House committee that the Trump administration will protect officials enforcing immigration law.
“They care about preventing drug abuse, drug overdoses throughout this country, and they jeopardize their lives every single day to keep us safe,” Bondi said. “And we are going to do everything in our power to fight for them.”
Bondi wouldn’t comment on whether jurisdictions with migrant sanctuary policies like Illinois and Chicago should have their federal funding frozen because of pending litigation over the matter.
