Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan Friday to allow the Department of Justice to indict a sitting president.
Why it matters: The proposal would reverse a policy that Robert Mueller said would have prevented him from bringing charges as part of his investigation of President Trump.
The plan includes:
- Appointing an attorney general who will uphold what Warren cited as the "rule of law."
- Appointing an Attorney general who will uphold what Warren cited as the "rule of law."
- Appointing an Assistant Attorney General to lead the Office of Legal Counsel who will reverse an opinion saying the president cannot be indicted.
- Calling for legislation making it clear that DOJ can indict a sitting president.
- Updating obstruction of justice statues to allow for indictment "when the President abuses the powers of the office."
Context: In his first on-camera statement since being appointed special counsel, Mueller said Wednesday that "long-standing" DOJ policy would have prohibited the Department from indicting Trump. Warren is seeking to change that.
Of note: Warren also used the announcement as a chance to double down on calls to impeach Trump, stating that she believes Mueller's report "made clear what those of us who have read his report already knew: He's referring President Trump for impeachment, and it's up to Congress to act."
