In a political climate charged with allegations of bias and weaponization, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) took a firm stance during a Sunday interview on CNN’s State of the Union.
The ranking member of the House Oversight Committee dismissed Republican claims that the FBI has been weaponized against their party, arguing instead that such accusations often lack substantive evidence and rely on political narratives.
Raskin pointed to recent examples of the Department of Justice pursuing cases against Democrats, including Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX). For Raskin, this underscores the impartiality of federal law enforcement.
“Some people just seem to think that it should go only in one direction, and, if it doesn’t, then somehow it’s politicized,” he remarked. He also took aim at the nebulous concept of the “deep state,” characterizing it as a catchall term for individuals who do not align with former President Donald Trump’s agenda.
.@RepRaskin when asked by @kasie if he's considering challenging Congressman Jerry Nadler as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee: "I'm not ruling anything out at this point."@CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/foV9NQTYjH
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) December 1, 2024
The conversation took on heightened significance in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that Kash Patel is his pick to lead the FBI. Patel, a figure lauded by Trump allies, has been framed as a reformer capable of restoring “integrity” to the bureau—a message that resonates deeply with Republican voters who believe federal agencies have been co-opted for partisan ends.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) voiced these frustrations, stating on CBS’s Face the Nation: “I don’t want a Republican Department of Justice. I don’t want a Democrat Department of Justice. I want a Department of Justice and an FBI that enforces the law regardless of party.”
Raskin’s response to these developments reflects a broader divide over the role and perception of federal institutions. As a leading figure in the January 6-focused impeachment inquiry and a prominent member of the now-disbanded January 6 Committee, Raskin has been at the center of debates over accountability and politicization.
When asked about a potential leadership role on the House Judiciary Committee, Raskin kept his options open, signaling a willingness to shape the Democratic strategy moving forward.
“We’re engaged in conversations, all with the purpose of creating a strategic focus and capacity within the Democratic members of the House, so that we’re going to be a really effective and muscular opposition,” Raskin explained.