This chapter examines the changing rhetoric surrounding legal investigations of Trump, highlighting the shift from 'witch hunts' to accusing the Justice Department of 'weaponization.' It explores the impact of this language on DOJ employees and the broader implications for accountability and democracy. Key events, including internal DOJ discussions and the role of figures like Bill Barr, illustrate the challenges facing law enforcement in a hyper-polarized environment.
For years, former President Donald Trump has railed against law enforcement officials who have sought to hold him accountable. In his latest book, Where Tyranny Begins: the Justice Department, the FBI and the War on Democracy, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and senior executive editor for national security at NBC News David Rohde investigates how Trump’s attacks have impacted law enforcement agencies and the civil servants who work there. In this episode, Kara and David discuss how Trump’s threats and conspiracy theories have undermined important investigations; why Attorney General Merrick Garland hasn’t been able to turn the tide on public trust; and what happens to a democracy that loses the rule of law.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find Kara on Threads/Instagram @karaswisher
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