The Shadow Hearing: Exposing Trump

Today, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) held a "shadow" hearing on the harms caused by Trump's evil, reckless, and cowardly actions against the US legal system.

In these unprecedented times, I never know where I will be from one week to the next. Last week, I was sitting in the gallery watching Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) break the record of segregationist, Strom Thurmond. Today, I am sitting in a “shadow” hearing to expose the president of the United States for hurting, terrorizing, and threatening Americans by unlawfully commandeering the legal system. The term “shadow” hearing — meaning a mock hearing held by the minority party in Congress to publicly question volunteer witnesses — is a perfect name. Everything feels like it’s done in the shadows nowadays, with Republicans holding expansive power in all three branches and a daily fight against a wannabe dictator in the Oval Office.

“If Donald Trump and his personal criminal defense lawyers running the Justice Department, succeed, the consequences will be profound.” - Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

One of the most frightening attacks led by Donald Trump and his white supremacist gang is the one targeting the judiciary and the legal profession as a whole. He has gone after firms who he views as his enemies because of who they have hired and represented. It’s unconstitutional and frankly insane. Law firms, like Paul Weiss, have pathetically given into Trump and promised $40 million in free legal services in exchange for Trump revoking the Executive Order against them. Other firms, like Perkins Coie, are fighting back against the illegal orders and getting restraining orders with the support of more then 500 law firms and 300 retired judges. Rachel Cohen knew that her firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, would not be brave and would bend the knee instead, so she resigned.

“Just because such cowardice is common does not make it acceptable.” — Rachel Cohen, Esq., Former Associate at Skadden

The hostile takeover of the rule of law even bled into the case of New York City Mayor Eric Adams who was indicted on corruption charges including bribery and campaign finance offenses. Adams, to save his neck, forged a partnership with Trump and promised to aid in the administration’s anti-immigration crackdowns in exchange for dropped charges by the DOJ. Considering the relation between NYC and immigrants, Trump gave Adams what he wanted. DOJ attorneys in the Public Integrity Section such as Ryan Crosswell could not stand by and participate in this crooked behavior. So what resulted is the biggest mass resignation in the history of the agency and a deep loss of institutional knowledge and legal skill.

“At this point, too many lines had been crossed, and so I, too, resigned.” — Ryan Crosswell, Esq., Former DOJ Prosecutor

One of the most prevalent stories in the news cycle is that of the abuse that federal employees have been subjected to thanks to Trump, un-elected scammer billionaire, Elon Musk, and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOJ attorneys are no exception. This administration has even gone so far as to try to restore the gun rights of famous friends like Mel Gibson, despite the actor not being a proper candidate for this sort of restoration due to his history of domestic violence. But because Attorney Elizabeth “Liz” Oyer did her job by not recommending this ridiculous request, she was cruelly ousted from the agency. Her job as an attorney should not depend on allegiance to Republicans but instead to the Constitution. She was even threatened with a letter urging her not to speak at the hearing today.

“I see only Democrats here today, but this is not a partisan issue.” — Elizabeth Oyer, Esq., Former DOJ Pardon Attorney

It’s no surprise that with a 34-time felon and former reality show star as president that unqualified criminals are being appointed to top government positions. Ed Martin, the interim US Attorney for DC, is no different. He is a Trump fanboy who defended January 6th criminals tooth and nail, even comparing them to Japanese-Americans put in internment camps during World War II. He has even been accused of ethical violations in relation to defending the insurrectionists. These are not being investigated by the DC Bar, an institution that US Attorney General and MAGA Loyalist, Pam Bondi, and her brother, Bradley Bondi, are trying to take over. Former DOJ attorney, Stacey Young, has been sounding the alarm about the dangers of putting a Nazi sympathizer like Martin in charge of DC.

“If [Ed Martin’s] reign continues, DC will be far more vulnerable to drug trafficking, terrorist attacks, and violent crime.” — Stacey Young, Esq., Former DOJ Litigator

This hearing has been a frightening reminder of the way that this administration has sunk its dirty claws into the legal profession. From public to private sector, no one has been safe from the wrath of a man who has made it clear that he cares nothing for the law. This is the branch of government that can actually check his authority and hold him accountable. It scares him. I am grateful to those who spoke up today, and as a proud lawyer and a law professor, I say we continue to give Trump nightmares.

“Even in the face of great pressure, each of you has stood tall in your oath to uphold the Constitution and the integrity of the legal profession.” — Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

You can watch the “shadow” hearing on YouTube here.