IL AG Raoul criticizes Trump admin as Bondi defends record
[June 24, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Jabs between Democrats and Republicans over the
rule of law or loyalty to an executive were on display during separate
hearings in Washington D.C. involving chief government attorneys.
Titled “Defending the Rights of the People: States and Congressional
Allies Fight Back Against Trump’s Constitutional Abuses,” congressional
Democrats held a “spotlight” panel with Democratic attorneys general
from various states.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he isn’t beholden to the
governor. He’s beholden to the rule of law.
“I think that the U.S. attorney general should operate with the same
sort of, he or she shouldn't be loyal to the president, but she should
be loyal to the rule of law,” Raoul said.
In a separate House Appropriations Committee hearing Monday on the U.S.
Department of Justice’s budget proposal, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi
said it was the Democratic Biden administration that was weaponizing
government.
“They were arresting peaceful protesters, the Biden administration, at
abortion facilities. No longer,” Bondi said. “They targeted Catholics at
church services. No longer. No longer will parents be arrested at school
board meetings because they care about their children. That has ended
under this department.”
Bondi and Raoul are on opposite sides of litigation challenging
Illinois’ lax policies on enforcing federal immigration law.
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During separate hearings Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame
Raoul and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi - House Committee on the
Judiciary | YouTube, House Appropriations Committee | YouTube
During the Democratic panel, Raoul defended Illinois’ migrant sanctuary
policies. He also sounded off on the Trump administration’s use of the
National Guard in California and said it’s based on party affiliation.
“Not on general immigration policy,” Raoul said. “You know, we continue
to try to litigate the best we can.”
Raoul joined Illinois to California’s lawsuit against the Trump
administration using the National Guard in Los Angeles to protect
federal personnel and property.
Bondi told the House committee that the Trump administration will
protect officials enforcing immigration law.
“They care about preventing drug abuse, drug overdoses throughout this
country, and they jeopardize their lives every single day to keep us
safe,” Bondi said. “And we are going to do everything in our power to
fight for them.”
Bondi wouldn’t comment on whether jurisdictions with migrant sanctuary
policies like Illinois and Chicago should have their federal funding
frozen because of pending litigation over the matter.
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