Listen to this article

The former press secretary of the White House under George W Bush, Ari Fleischer has slammed the President over his alleged claim. Trump claimed without evidence that rogue prosecutors were responsible for recommending a lengthy prison sentence for his longtime associate Roger Stone. Fleischer condemned the president’s comments after he lashed out on Twitter over prosecutors’ proposal that Stone should be jailed for 7 to 9 years. His claim was following his conviction for lying to the U.S Congress during an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Stone is due to be sentenced on 20 February. Fleischer said in a tweet, “Trump governs like an outsider, saying what he thinks, letting it rip. But there is a downside”.

Fleischer added, “When the WH comments on a matter traditionally left to the Justice Dept., it makes the matter political instead of judicial. Justice must be blind”. His comments came after Trump sent out a tweet congratulating Attorney General William Barr for taking charge of the case. Trump alleged the case against Stone after the sentencing recommendation. He said it was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Trump’s Justice Department then moved to reduce the sentencing that was first suggested by the prosecutors, leading all 4 of the career officials to resign.

Trump governs like an outsider, saying what he thinks, letting it rip. He’s made it work for him.

But there is a downside. When the WH comments on a matter traditionally left to the Justice Dept., it makes the matter political instead of judicial.

Justice must be blind. https://t.co/PedJv1NPJv

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) February 12, 2020

The move also generated a backlash on Capitol Hill. The U.S Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the Inspector General to immediately investigate the move to reduce the sentencing. A former White House ethics lawyer under President Bush, Richard Painter also mentioned the move as the politicization of prosecutions and slammed Barr as the most corrupt Attorney General in American history. Trump claimed he had not spoken to the Justice Department. He said, “I didn’t speak to them. I thought the recommendation was ridiculous. I thought the whole prosecution was ridiculous. I thought it was an insult to our country and it shouldn’t happen”.