The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart All the President’s Tools
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Jul 24, 2025 
Join former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and Dan Pfeiffer, a senior advisor to Barack Obama, as they delve into the pressures facing independent institutions today. They dissect how presidential power can coerce media and universities, the implications of politicized judicial appointments, and the historical context of political interference in the Justice Department. The conversation also raises crucial questions about the balance of power, the potential vulnerabilities a future Democratic administration might target, and the evolving political landscape in America.
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Erosion of Presidential Guardrails
- Presidential influence on independent agencies has traditionally been limited by norms and guidelines since Nixon's era.
- Trump administration eroded these guardrails, allowing direct political interference in civil service.
Obama vs Espionage Act Prosecutions
- The Obama administration faced espionage act prosecutions of journalists initiated mostly by career prosecutors.
- President Obama was reportedly frustrated but never directly involved or intervened in these investigations.
Oval Office Intimidation Example
- Jon Stewart recounts being called to the Oval Office by President Obama to discuss a Daily Show skit.
- The call was intimidating but aimed to suggest he tone down his criticism, a subtle form of coercion.
