Can Pam Bondi squash Donald Trump's conviction? Experts weigh in
Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Donald Trump loyalist, has ordered a report into all of President Trump's past criminal cases, including his hush money conviction in New York.
Newsweek sought email comment on Friday from Bondi's office.
Why It Matters
Bondi has previously expressed disdain for what she claims was a Democrat-led campaign to indict Trump on as many charges as possible.
During her confirmation hearing in the Senate, she said the Justice Department "had been weaponized for years and years and years, and it's got to stop."
What To Know
Her request for a detailed report on Trump's criminal conviction in New York state court for falsifying documents was one of Bondi's first actions after being sworn in as attorney general on Wednesday.
Trump falsified the documents while covering up payments to adult film star, Stormy Daniels.
Bondi issued a directive to review the federal prosecution of Trump as part of a broader initiative to overhaul the Department of Justice, which Trump has long claimed is biased against conservatives.
What People Are Saying
New York University law professor Stephen Gillers told Newsweek that Bondi cannot reverse Trump's New York criminal conviction.
"Only the New York courts can do so and Trump will appeal in those courts. She can order an investigation of the constitutional fairness of the conviction and supply Trump's criminal defense lawyers with her findings. They may then use these in their challenge to the conviction in state and federal court.
"She can also appear for the United States in state or federal court supporting Trump's arguments. She could do this as an amicus or friend of the court.
"She might even try to intervene on behalf of the United States, in which case the United States would actually be a party to Trump's claims in state or federal court. As a party, DOJ lawyers could argue for reversal or vacation of the conviction
"In order to intervene on behalf of the United States, Bondi would have to argue that the United States has a legal interest in the case because the defendant is now president and the state conviction encumbers his ability to carry out his duties and also because evidence introduced at the trial included Trump's comments while president the first time, which Bondi will argue violated Trump immunity."
Los Angeles attorney John J. Perlstein also told Newsweek that Bondi cannot reverse Trump's New York conviction but can order a report on the case.
"She can order anything she wants since the Attorney General is the top law enforcement position in our nation. She has the authority to drop, prosecute, or bring any cases within jurisdiction. However, she cannot reverse matters that have already been adjudicated, as is the case with these charges."
Greg Germain, a law professor at Syracuse University in New York, told Newsweek that Bondi may start an investigation against some of the people involved in prosecuting Trump in New York.
"She has no power over the state courts. She can try to investigate and harass the D.A and the judge maybe, although I don't think the courts will put up with political interference."
What Happens Next
It may take several months for the report into Trump's indictments to be completed. Although it's not known what action Bondi could subsequently take, it is likely that she may seek to enter as a friend of the court in Trump's New York appeal.