US Justice Dept issues new policy on communications with White House
22 Jul 2021 / 07:20 H.
-Reuters
WASHINGTON: US Attorney General Merrick Garland (
pix) yesterday handed down new policies governing the Justice Department’s interactions with the White House aimed at minimising political interference in law enforcement, the Justice Department said.
Garland said in a statement that the new policies further “longstanding Departmental norms of independence from inappropriate influences” and “the principled exercise of discretion.”
The new rules, which follow criticism of Justice Department actions under Republican former President Donald Trump, generally prohibit prosecutors from discussing pending or contemplated law enforcement investigations with White House officials, although there are exceptions for matters of national security, according to a memo released by the Justice Department.