doi:10.7916/0jns-pm21Oral history interview with James M. Cole, 2020Cole, James M. (James Michael), 1952-oral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesMarijuana--Law and legislation--United StatesGlobal Financial Crisis, 2008-2009--United StatesLeaks (Disclosure of information)--Investigation--United StatesCole, James M. (James Michael), 1952-Obama, BarackClemency InitiativeSmart on Crime (Initiative)United States. CongressUnited States. Department of JusticeJames Cole discusses his service as deputy attorney general from 2010 to 2015 during the presidency of Barack Obama. Cole focuses on efforts to re-evaluate existing Department of Justice policies during the period of his service, including standardized sentencing policies and the Department's handling of crimes involving controlled substances and clemency applications. Cole provides details about the administration's Smart on Crime and Clemency Initiatives, and describes DOJ's response to state marijuana referenda. Cole also reflects on DOJ's prosecutorial response to the 2008 financial crisis, outlining the challenge of prosecuting either banks or individuals without appropriate criminal statutes, and commenting on the Department's indictment of Credit Suisse. Also discussed are DOJ's antitrust activities during the period, including response to proposed mergers between AT&T and T-Mobile, and U.S. Airways and American Airlines, and the Department's management of leak investigations