Fresh Air How Donald Trump Changed Federal Law Enforcement
Aug 21, 2024
David Rohde, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and national security editor at NBC News, delves into how Donald Trump has reshaped federal law enforcement since 2016. He discusses the use of conspiracy theories and political threats to influence Justice Department and FBI actions. Rohde also highlights the implications of hyper-partisanship on law enforcement, the importance of maintaining independence in investigations, and the challenges facing democratic integrity, particularly around the election processes.
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Trump's Tactics
- Donald Trump's attacks on law enforcement, including the FBI and DOJ, aimed to discredit and intimidate officials.
- These attacks used conspiracy theories, threats of violence, and online attacks to divide and undermine these agencies.
Mar-a-Lago Search Meeting
- In August 2022, DOJ officials and FBI officials met to discuss the Mar-a-Lago search.
- FBI agents were hesitant about the search, fearing it would fuel conspiracy theories.
Differing Perspectives
- DOJ prosecutors viewed the Mar-a-Lago documents as a potential national security risk.
- FBI agents were hesitant, concerned about feeding into Trump's narrative.
