1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action against the administration's proposed restructuring of the Department of Justice that would place an assistant Attorney General under direct control of the Vice President and President. This represents a dangerous consolidation of executive power that threatens the independence of our justice system and the constitutional rights of Americans. Vice President J D Vance recently announced plans to create this position with a mandate to investigate what he termed "cheerleaders and instigators who interfere with government agents." As a Harvard-educated attorney, Vance understands the constitutional implications of such vague and sweeping language. This proposal would criminalize First Amendment protected activities including peaceful protest, advocacy, and criticism of government actions. The deliberately ambiguous terminology of "interference" could be weaponized against journalists, activists, legal observers, and ordinary citizens exercising their constitutional rights. The Department of Justice must maintain its independence from direct political control to function as an impartial arbiter of justice rather than an enforcement arm of executive power. Creating an assistant Attorney General who answers directly to the President and Vice President bypasses the checks and balances that protect Americans from authoritarian overreach. This restructuring would fundamentally alter the separation of powers that safeguards our democracy. These statements were made in the context of remarks about Renee Good, demonstrating how this administration conflates legitimate criticism with criminal activity. When government officials can designate their critics as criminals worthy of investigation, we have abandoned the principles of free speech and due process that define American democracy. I am asking you to publicly oppose this DOJ restructuring, introduce or support legislation that would prevent such changes, and use your oversight authority to hold this administration accountable for proposals that violate constitutional principles. The independence of our justice system and the rights of your constituents depend on immediate congressional action.