Slate News Political Gabfest | The “Justice Department is Dire“
Feb 20, 2025
This week features Marc Dunkelman, a Fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute and author of "Why Nothing Works." He dives into the troubling interplay between political corruption and ethics, particularly regarding NYC Mayor Eric Adams and his controversial dealings. The conversation covers how authoritarian tactics shape governance and the dire need for accountability. Dunkelman also discusses systemic reforms necessary to tackle the evolving challenges facing our government, especially in light of modern data privacy issues.
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Prosecutor Resignations
- Seven prosecutors resigned rather than drop charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
- This was due to a corrupt bargain between the Trump administration and Adams.
Leniency as Dealmaking
- The Trump administration is using leniency as a political tool.
- This is evident in the Eric Adams case, where charges were dropped in exchange for cooperation on immigration.
Justice Department Interference
- Interference with Justice Department norms is worse than predicted.
- The entrenched belief in the department's norms was overly optimistic.
