Former White House ethics chief Norm Eisen was beside himself with fury on CNN over news that the Trump administration is pursuing a criminal investigation into former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who claimed President Donald Trump raped her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s.
A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation after he left office the first time; he has maintained his innocence and fought furiously in appeal after appeal to get the verdict and damages thrown out.
"So, Norm, first off, what's your reaction to the DOJ launching this criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll?" asked Anderson Cooper.
"Anderson, it's so outrageous," said Eisen.
"Every American should be appalled at this pattern of Donald Trump utilizing the most fearsome power of our president, the investigation and possible prosecution of individuals whom he perceives to be his adversaries," said Eisen. "First, it was Tish James. That case was thrown out. Then Jim Comey. That case was thrown out. He's going after Comey again. That case is going to meet the same fate."
"This is garbage," he added. "And it is alarming because it is a classic sign of authoritarians. Dictators would blush at Donald Trump's abuse of his criminal powers. And it's not American."