A chilling confrontation unfolded on a recent broadcast, as a former FBI agent publicly addressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The exchange centered around the ongoing legal battles surrounding James Comey and accusations of politically motivated prosecution.
Michael Feinberg, a former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, directly accused Blanche of utilizing legal maneuvering – what he termed “lawfare” – to silence a vocal critic of Donald Trump. Feinberg alleges Blanche aggressively pursued the case involving a Trump-related threat posted on Comey’s Instagram account, even after it had been previously sidelined.
Reports surfaced last year detailing an investigation into Comey’s Instagram post, which contained the cryptic message “86 47.” This sparked scrutiny and ultimately led to a grand jury indictment last week, leveling serious felony charges against the former FBI Director.
The indictment accuses Comey of knowingly and willfully threatening the life of, and intending to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States. A second count alleges he transmitted a threat to kill Donald J. Trump across state lines.
Feinberg cautioned that even a potential blanket pardon from Trump wouldn’t shield Blanche from repercussions. He pointed to the recent disbarment of John Eastman, a key figure in Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, as a stark warning.
Eastman’s disbarment, affirmed by the California Supreme Court after a lengthy legal battle, serves as a precedent, according to Feinberg. He concluded with a pointed message to Blanche: “So Todd Blanche should watch his step.”
The fallout from this situation has extended beyond the initial exchange. Jeff Clark, a former DOJ official who himself was previously targeted by federal investigations, responded forcefully to Feinberg’s comments.
Clark decried what he sees as an escalating pattern of abuse by state and local bar associations, accusing them of being weaponized by elements within the “Deep State” to intimidate conservative lawyers, even those serving within the Department of Justice. He believes a fundamental change is needed to address this perceived overreach.
Clark’s statement underscores a growing concern about the potential for politically motivated legal actions and the chilling effect they may have on legal professionals willing to represent controversial clients or pursue challenging cases.
