A top Republican congressman is under fire after publicly attacking President Donald Trump and defending New York’s embattled Attorney General Letitia James — the same Democrat now facing serious criminal charges.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a so-called “moderate” Republican, blasted President Trump’s recent call for justice against corrupt political figures, calling it “unseemly” and “foolish.”
In an interview with CNN, Bacon criticized the president for urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to move forward with long-delayed prosecutions against former FBI Director James Comey, Rep. Adam Schiff, and Letitia James — all of whom have been accused of abusing power during past political witch hunts against Trump.
“It was a mistake,” Bacon said. “Presidents don’t normally do this. I think it’s foolish and unseemly.”
Trump Takes Aim at Corruption
President Trump had called for the Justice Department to stop dragging its feet, writing on Truth Social,
“We can’t delay any longer—it’s killing our reputation and credibility.”
He followed up by praising Bondi, saying she was “doing a GREAT job” cleaning out corruption and restoring integrity to the nation’s justice system.
Shortly after, U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert resigned and was replaced by Lindsey Halligan, who quickly secured a grand jury indictment against Letitia James on charges of bank fraud and false statements to financial institutions.
If convicted, James could face up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines per count, according to the DOJ. James and her attorneys continue to deny wrongdoing, calling the case “political retaliation.”
Bacon Breaks Ranks with Conservatives
Bacon’s comments have outraged conservative voters who see Trump’s moves as justified after years of politically motivated investigations. Many view Bacon’s remarks as proof that establishment Republicans are still protecting the same system Trump has been trying to expose.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back hard against critics, telling Newsweek:
“President Trump is grateful for everything Attorney General Bondi is doing to help Make America Safe Again. He believes it’s time for real justice and accountability for the corrupt politicians and officials who turned the justice system into a weapon against him and the millions of patriotic Americans who stand with him.”
Meanwhile, former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg claimed Trump’s push for prosecutions could give defense lawyers grounds to argue “vindictive prosecution,” citing the timing of Siebert’s resignation and Halligan’s appointment.
Not Seeking Re-election
Bacon, who announced he will not run for re-election in 2026, has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Trump — a move many conservatives see as aligning with the D.C. establishment rather than with the voters who elected him.
His comments defending Letitia James — one of Trump’s fiercest political enemies — have sparked backlash across social media and within Republican circles.
“Bacon just showed us who he really is,” one conservative commentator wrote. “When push comes to shove, he’ll side with the swamp every time.”
A Party Divided
As President Trump continues his second-term mission to clean out Washington’s corruption and restore law and order, the split between America First conservatives and establishment Republicans is becoming clearer than ever.
While some GOP lawmakers echo Trump’s call for accountability, others — like Don Bacon — appear more comfortable defending Democrats under investigation than supporting the president they once claimed to stand behind.