Columbia Standard

At a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin expressed concern over actions by the Trump Administration that he believes undermine the rule of law. The meeting marked one month since Donald Trump's inauguration.

Durbin highlighted several statements and actions by President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Elon Musk that he described as dangerous to the Constitution. "These claims by the President, the Vice President, and Elon Musk are not amusing. They are a danger to our Constitution," said Durbin.

He criticized the administration for what he termed unlawful actions, including mass layoffs of civil servants and blocking funds appropriated by Congress. "The Trump Administration’s unlawful actions—from mass layoffs of civil servants to blocking funds that Congress appropriated—pose a serious threat to our constitutional order and the separation of powers," Durbin stated.

Durbin also noted violations related to the firing of Inspectors General without proper notification to Congress as required by law. He mentioned a letter sent with Chairman Grassley seeking an explanation from President Trump, which remains unanswered.

The Senator further addressed concerns about personnel changes within the Department of Justice and FBI, claiming political motivations behind these moves. "Dozens of career officials—not political appointees, career officials—at the Justice Department and the FBI have been fired," he remarked.

Durbin raised alarms over Kash Patel's nomination as FBI Director due to perceived partisanship. "Mr. Patel’s record demonstrates he is a dangerous political operative who should not serve as the next FBI Director," he warned.

Durbin concluded with a call for maintaining independent legislative and judicial branches: "I suspect that the time will soon come when we will all fully appreciate the importance of a legislature and a judiciary that are independent of the executive."