The Department of Justice and White House press secretary Jen Psaki are cleaning up the mess after President Biden told reporters Friday evening that anyone who defies a congressional subpoena should be prosecuted.
The president’s comments come as the Jan. 6 select commission is amping up sending out subpoenas to former President Trump administration officials and others who may have information on Trump's endeavor to investigate claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.
Biden told reporters in a South Lawn gaggle outside of Air Force One, "I hope the committee goes after them and holds accountable,” referring to individuals who do not comply with a congressional subpoena.
One reporter asked, "Should they be prosecuted?"
"I do, yes," Biden answered.
DOJ spokesman Anthony Coley sternly responded to Biden last week saying, "The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop."
Psaki attempted to clear up Biden's statement on Twitter, saying that the president supports the "independent role" of DOJ's prosecutorial decisions.
Former President Trump DOJ official Jeffrey Clark was subpoenaed by the commission earlier this week for testimony and documents. Former Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen had an interview with the commission on Wednesday as well.
