Thread by @JudiciaryDems

Here's the big picture: Donald Trump’s efforts to spread his "Big Lie" and undermine the results of the election helped incite the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021.

While the Committee continues our investigation, HERE are our recommendations for next steps (so far) ⬇️

The Judiciary Committee report highlights several ways in which bad-faith actors can exploit DOJ policy and norms to provide a platform for election fraud claims—even when the claims are not backed by any credible evidence—and insert DOJ unnecessarily in political controversies.

The following are potential legislative and oversight steps to strengthen DOJ’s protections against politicization of its investigative and prosecutorial powers and additional measures that should be taken in response to this episode:

Recommendation #1: Strengthen DOJ-White House Contacts Policy Through Increased Transparency and Enforcement. Congress should strengthen the DOJ-White House contacts policy by requiring greater transparency and enhanced enforcement around covered communications.

Recommendation #2: Strengthen DOJ’s Longstanding Policy of Election Non-Interference. Attorney General Barr twice relaxed elements of DOJ’s longstanding policy of election non-interference, which cast public doubt on the integrity of the election and fueled conspiracy theories.

Recommendation #3: Further Investigation of Clark’s Conduct by the D.C. Bar. Based on the facts this investigation has uncovered to date, Clark’s conduct may implicate multiple Rules of Professional Conduct. Chair @SenatorDurbin has already asked the Bar for a formal review.

Rec #4: Cooperation with the House Select Committee to Investigate Ties Between This Episode and the January 6 Attack. Because the events of January 6 are outside the immediate purview of the Committee’s investigation, this report is being made available to the House Select Cmte.

Further, this is not just a policy failure, but the result of conscious actions. As appropriate, federal and state bar associations should consider whether additional accountability measures are warranted to discipline these bad actors and deter future attempts to politicize DOJ.

Note: Because the Committee’s investigation is not yet complete, we have not made findings or recommendations concerning possible criminal liability. However, we've uncovered sufficient information to justify providing this set of recommendations.

For more on these recommendations, see page 43 of the Majority staff report "Subverting Justice: How the Former President and His Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election" here: judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…