Biden defends Justice Department’s independence as prosecutors prep Trump charges

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SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE June 08, 2023 View in browser Biden defends Justice Department's independence as prosecutors prep Trump charges President Joe Biden on Thursday said Americans can trust that he has not interfered in the Justice Department's independence despite claims to the contrary by former president Donald Trump, who is likely to be charged in a long-running probe over his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information.   Mr Biden made the comments at the tail end of a joint press conference alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after being asked what he could say to convince Americans of the department's independence and fairness amid a rash of attacks against it from Mr Trump.   The president, who has long pledged to stay out of decisions regarding criminal prosecutions by the department, replied: "I have never once, not one single time, suggested what the DOJ should or should not do relative to bringing a charge or not bringing a charge. I'm honest".   Mr Biden's comments came just a day after The Independent reported that prosecutors are ready to ask grand juries in Washington, DC and Florida to return indictments against Mr Trump stemming from the Justice Department's probe into his alleged unlawful possession of classified documents and his alleged obstruction of that investigation.   The Independent previously reported that prosecutors working under the supervision of Special Counsel Jack Smith are ready to ask grand jurors to approve an indictment against Mr Trump for violating a portion of the US criminal code known as Section 793, which prohibits "gathering, transmitting or losing" any "information respecting the national defence".   A source familiar with the matter said Mr Trump's legal team was recently informed that he is a "target" of the Justice Department probe, which began in early 2022 after National Archives and Records Administration officials discovered more than 100 documents bearing classification markings in a set of 15 boxes of Trump administration records retrieved from Mar-a-Lago, the century-old mansion turned private beach club where Mr Trump maintains his primary residence and post-presidential office.   – Andrew Feinberg Reading list  Abe Asher: Lawmaker rips ex-Trump official for linking trans issues to sustainable investing   Noah Berlatsky: The folly of trusting Trump claims two more victims. Why do they do it? £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW What else you need to know today Gov Ron DeSantis' campaign has been accused of using fake, AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump hugging ex-White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci in an attack ad. Mr DeSantis and Mr Trump have been trading barbs for weeks about their respective Covid responses, with Mr Trump's campaign and surrogates arguing that Mr DeSantis' initial lockdown measures in Florida were too harsh and Mr DeSantis' campaign arguing that Mr Trump was too acquiescent to medical professionals like Dr Fauci in crafting his administration's response. Now, in the ad shared by the the "DeSantis War Room" Twitter account, the Florida governor's campaign is accused of crossing an ethical line. The adveritsement begins with clips of Mr Trump firing people on his reality television show before pivoting to clips of Mr Trump telling reporters that he would not or could not fire Dr Fauci, who was seen as the symbol of a public health response to the crisis some Republicans disagreed with. Donald Trump has praised the life of Christian televangelist Pat Robertson, even though he once said that the former president was living in an "alternate reality." Robertson died at the age of 93 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday morning, according to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). The conservative broadcaster himself ran unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988, finishing behind behind both George HW Bush and Bob Dole. "Today the World lost an incredible and powerful Voice for Faith and Freedom. Pat Robertson showed us that Belief in God produces results that can change the course of History," wrote Mr Trump on his Truth Social platform. "Pat's legacy lives on in the many endeavors and lives that he touched. He will be greatly missed. Our hearts and prayers are with his Family!" We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE Articles available exclusively to subscribers  Kim Sengupta, The Independent: Erdogan's victory in Turkey shows the world can't give up political strongmen OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE The Race Report Fortnightly, 6pm (UK time) Written by Nadine White Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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