DOJ-targeted Trump protesters demand 'unconstitutional' White House communications

In an effort to prove that Donald Trump and his allies exerted "improper influence" upon the US Attorney’s office, lawyers in Chicago’s high-profile “Broadview 6” conspiracy case have filed a motion demanding communication documents from top White House officials.

Arguing that Trump has “repeatedly and openly taken steps to improper(ly) bend the Department of Justice toward his personal and political interests,” and that his administration “has a demonstrated track record of using indictments as a way to silence its critics,” the filing seeks “all communications” between government and law enforcement relating to the defendants.

The case is tied to the Trump administration’s ICE surge in Chicago last September, in which dozens of protesters were arrested. While most charges were dropped, the conspiracy case against the Broadview 6 has persisted, at least until yesterday when charges against two were dismissed, reducing them to the Broadview 4.

Included among these is Kat Abughazaleh — a congressional candidate so widely known for her outspoken stance against Trump that, as the motion noted, national media outlets have begun including her on graphics showing his “enemies list” — and three other figures from local Democratic politics.

"The one commonality among these four defendants,” asserts the motion, “is that via social media platforms and public statements they were all outspoken critics of the Trump Administration.”

Also included until her charges were dropped was Cat Sharp, who, according to the motion, "withdrew her candidacy for public office as a direct result of her being charged."

Calling for an “examination of the charging decisions in this case to ensure they were not made for improper purposes directed by the White House or associates of the Trump Administration,” the motion suggests that the basis for prosecution stemmed from “unconstitutional retaliatory and/or selective reasons.”

All of the Broadview 6 have pleaded not guilty, and of the 32 arrests made during the Chicago protests, so far 19 have been cleared of all charges, and none have been convicted.