Biden Says Next President’s Justice Department Should Decide If Trump Is Prosecuted

Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden said during the Democratic debate Wednesday night that he would not personally direct a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump after he leaves office.

“I would not dictate who should be prosecuted or who should be exonerated,” Biden said. “That’s not the role of the President of the United States.”

He said he would support “whatever is determined by the Attorney General” whom he would have appointed as president.

Biden said, “I would not direct my Justice Department like this President does. I would let them make their independent judgement.”

If his Justice Department found that Trump violated that law and should be criminally prosecuted, Biden said “then so be it.”

Biden also emphasized the need to bring this country together.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea that we model ourselves after Trump and say ‘lock him up,'” he said. “Look, we have to bring this country together. Let’s start talking civilly to people.”