Political Gabfest The “Justice Department is Dire“
44 snips
Feb 20, 2025 
This week, Marc Dunkelman, a Fellow at Brown University and author of "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress – and How to Bring it Back," dives into modern governance challenges. He discusses the corrosive effects of political corruption, particularly highlighting NYC's Mayor Eric Adams. The conversation takes a sharp turn as the group examines the ethical dilemmas in the justice system, especially influenced by the Trump era, and touches on the troubling implications of data management in government, sparked by figures like Elon Musk.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Eric Adams Case
- The Trump administration pressured NYC Mayor Eric Adams to cooperate on immigration in exchange for dropping corruption charges.
- Seven prosecutors resigned, refusing to participate in this apparent corrupt bargain.
Justice Department's Dire Situation
- The Justice Department's actions under Trump are worse than predicted, undermining ethical norms and oaths of office.
- Leniency is being used as a political tool, raising concerns about impartial justice.
Performative Humiliation as a Tool
- The Trump administration uses performative humiliation as a tool of power.
- This is evident in the Eric Adams case and other instances of authoritarian behavior.
