The Political Scene | The New Yorker After James Comey, Who’s Next on Trump’s Revenge Tour?
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Oct 8, 2025 
Ruth Marcus, a contributing writer at The New Yorker specializing in law, joins to dissect Trump’s 'revenge tour' and the indictment of James Comey. They explore how Trump's retaliatory strategies challenge legal norms and might endanger public officials and their families. Marcus reveals the indictment's weak legal foundation and discusses why Comey was targeted first. The conversation dives into the implications of Trump's tactics on the Justice Department and questions whether the cycle of political retribution can be broken.
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Weaponizing The Justice Department Harms Rule Of Law
- Retaliatory prosecutions by an incumbent president undermine Justice Department norms and are unprecedented in its history.
- Ruth Marcus argues that tit-for-tat use of criminal law against political enemies violates DOJ rules and the rule of law.
Grudges Drive Rapid Legal Moves
- Trump holds grudges for years and continually pressures the Justice Department to prosecute his enemies.
- Marcus says the Comey indictment was rushed to beat the statute of limitations and reflects that long-held vendetta.
Comey Indictment Lacks Clear Allegations
- The Comey indictment centers on vague allegations about misleading Senate testimony and possible obstruction tied to a 2017 leak dispute.
- Marcus notes prosecutors failed to specify the allegedly false statement or its materiality, making the charges appear flimsy.