Watchdog presses DOJ to review official's involvement in Mar-a-Lago investigation

"Even a cursory review of Mr. Evers’ pre-appointment public statements and activities demonstrates substantial bias against Mr. Trump," AFL wrote.

By Ben Whedon

Published: January 18, 2024 9:02pm

America First Legal (AFL) on Thursday filed a complaint with the Department of Justice seeking a review of one agency official's involvement in the 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid that led to special counsel Jack Smith's ongoing prosecution of former President Donald Trump.

"We write because it appears that a Department of Justice political appointee named Austin Evers was improperly involved in matters relating to the investigation and subsequent prosecution of former President Donald Trump," the watchdog wrote to the DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). "Documents disclosed by the Department to America First Legal demonstrate that Mr. Evers was involved in discussions, briefings, and litigation concerning the Mar-a-Lago raid and may have been involved in discussions directly relevant to the eventual issuance of an indictment."

AFL Austin Evers OPR complaint

"Mr. Evers should never have been involved in these matters," AFL insisted. "Even a cursory review of Mr. Evers’ pre-appointment public statements and activities demonstrates substantial bias against Mr. Trump. Accordingly, America First Legal requests that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigate Mr. Evers for intentional violations and/or reckless disregard for clear and unambiguous legal obligations or professional standards, professional misconduct, and abuse of the Department’s authority."

The group pointed to Evers's past public statements and work targeting Republicans as evidence that he "is fatally tainted by bias against former President Trump, rendering his participation in matters related to Mr. Trump generally, and the Mar-a-Lago raid, pre-indictment discussions, and any post-indictment activities in particular, a violation of clear and unambiguous legal obligations and professional standards."

AFL concluded with the request that the OPR open an investigation into Evers's professional conduct.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.