Impolitic with John Heilemann Carol Leonnig: Disarray & Debauchery at the DOJ
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Nov 14, 2025 
Carol Leonnig, a four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and senior MSNBC correspondent, delves into her new book about the Justice Department's turmoil. She examines how Trump’s tenure undermined the DOJ’s integrity and how Merrick Garland's inaction post-January 6th further complicated accountability. The discussion reveals insights on controversial pardons, the chilling effects of Trump's personal attacks on agents, and the obstacles faced by investigators, raising urgent questions about the future of justice in America.
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Damage Preceded The January 6 Moment
- Trump and Biden-era actions combined to hollow DOJ and FBI readiness before January 6.
- That weakened institutional capacity made later accountability efforts far harder.
Pardons As Signal And Rewriting Tool
- Trump's pardons signal protection for co-conspirators and aim to rewrite public perception of DOJ actions.
- Pardons function as both reward and deterrent against cooperation with investigations.
Pardons Lacked Process And Norms
- Trump pardons have been erratic and politicized, lacking standard vetting or process.
- That unpredictability normalizes corrupt clemency and weakens institutional norms.
