Trump Targets CREW—This Is Not Law Enforcement, It’s a Hit List

April 17, 2025

From the Oval Office today, President Donald Trump declared:

“We’re going after CREW. Norm Eisen is a sleaze, and his group is going to pay.”

Let that sink in.

This wasn’t a campaign rally. This was the sitting President of the United States, speaking from the seat of executive power, signaling an intent to use the Department of Justice (DOJ) to target a nonprofit watchdog group and its co-founder, Norm Eisen, for their efforts to hold him accountable.

CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government. Its co-founder, Norm Eisen, has been instrumental in legal actions challenging Trump’s conduct, including the emoluments clause lawsuit, CREW v. Trump.

Now, with Merrick Garland having stepped down as Attorney General on January 20, 2025, and Pam Bondi confirmed as his successor, the DOJ’s independence faces new challenges. During her confirmation hearings, Bondi pledged not to politicize the department, stating, “There will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice.” However, she also expressed criticism of previous investigations into Trump and declined to rule out launching new inquiries into his political adversaries .

This development raises serious concerns about the potential for the DOJ to be used as a tool for political retribution. The independence of the Justice Department is a cornerstone of our democracy, ensuring that justice is administered fairly and without political bias. Undermining this principle threatens the rule of law and the very fabric of our democratic institutions.

It’s imperative that we remain vigilant and advocate for the preservation of the DOJ’s independence. The targeting of watchdog organizations like CREW sets a dangerous precedent, one that could erode public trust in our justice system.