Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales lays out his concerns about the indictment of James Comey and the Trump administration defying the norms of Justice Department independence.

Gonzales–a Republican who supported Kamala Harris in 2024 due to concerns about Trump and the rule of law–says Trump’s effort to direct the department to prosecute his enemies threatens to undermine public confidence in the justice system. 

Gonzales, who also served as White House counsel under President George W. Bush, also addresses Trump’s use of the same emergency powers Bush exercised after 9/11 to confront issues like immigration and questions the legality of recent strikes against alleged drug boats in international waters.

He comments on declining trust in the Supreme Court, the implications of its presidential immunity ruling for Trump’s second term, and the failure of Congress to act as a check on the executive branch.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, The Tepper Foundation, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Pritzker Military Foundation.