Sarbanes Joins Bipartisan Georgetown Law Forum on Congressional Oversight of the Justice Department and FBI in the Trump Era

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today spoke at a bipartisan Georgetown Law forum entitled, “Congressional Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Trump Era.” The forum examined President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Department of Justice and the FBI – a break from the practices of his predecessors – as well as the role of Congressional oversight in ensuring an independent Justice Department and FBI. 

“It’s very important for people to understand that Robert Mueller, the special counsel, is the representative of the people’s justice system,” Rep. Sarbanes said. “He’s your guy in the justice system…. And when they come for Mueller, they’re coming for you. They’re coming for your justice system. They’re coming for your representative in the justice system, who’s making sure that your interests, and the interests of the public, are protected.”

During the event, Congressman Sarbanes joined a distinguished group of panelists, including House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), former Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), Former Acting Assistant Attorney General and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary McCord, Former Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Fein, Former Special Assistant to the FBI Director Josh Campbell and Faculty Director of Georgetown Law’s Center on Privacy and Technology David Vladeck.

See here for video of Congressman Sarbanes’ remarks.

See here for a full video of today’s forum.

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