But here’s where the story takes a sharp turn. Instead of fulfilling the assignment – a routine legal task well within her job description – Cheung allegedly used this opportunity to alert a potential target of a potential internal DOJ investigation against them.
Critics argue, that this is akin to a DEA agent tipping off a drug cartel about an impending investigation. Such actions are not only a breach of trust but potentially a grave violation of ethical responsibilities.
Imagine a scenario where a lawyer, after seven years as a D.A. prosecutor, takes a lucrative job in private practice. Her new client is under investigation by her former office, and she decides to use her inside knowledge to help him. The parallel is undeniable. Cheung’s alleged disclosure of internal DOJ information constitutes a serious misstep, revealing a troubling bias.
The Chain of Command: Following the Orders
The directive, according to reports, originated from Emil Bove, the department’s acting deputy attorney general, to Ed Martin, whom President Donald Trump has nominated to be the permanent DC US Attorney. Cheung, a long-time DOJ employee, was allegedly tasked with initiating a preliminary review – which she terms an “investigation” – into an Environmental Protection Agency funding decision during the Biden administration. The goal, allegedly, was to freeze that funding, if fraud was discovered.
