The Commentary Magazine Podcast Do Trump's Vendettas Harm Trump's Agenda?
12 snips
Sep 29, 2025 The hosts dive into the implications of Trump's use of presidential power for personal vendettas. They discuss the ethics of weaponizing the DOJ and the dangers of personalized governance. Historical lawfare cases are examined, shedding light on the complexities of retaliatory prosecution. Tensions surrounding a potential government shutdown are analyzed, including bipartisan dynamics and the impact on state policies. The conversation also touches on New York politics, including Cuomo's challenges and generational shifts in the Democratic Party.
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Process As Political Punishment
- The hosts argue Trump uses prosecutions as political tools where "the process is the punishment."
- This strategy imposes legal and financial burdens even if cases later fail.
Presidency Too Powerful For Payback
- John Podhoretz warns the presidency is too powerful to treat prosecutions as personal payback.
- He stresses institutional norms should limit revenge-driven use of federal power.
Elliot Abrams' Plea Under Pressure
- Podhoretz recounts Elliot Abrams' ordeal under the Walsh special prosecutor and how the process forced a plea.
- He describes the toll on Abrams' family and Rachel's anguished letter about the experience.
