THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent
Trump’s Angry New Rants at Jack Smith Suddenly Signal Much Darker Aims
Oct 25, 2024
In this discussion with Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, we delve into Donald Trump's recent fiery remarks about special counsel Jack Smith. McQuade uncovers the possible fallout if Trump, upon re-election, fires Smith and assumes he has Supreme Court-granted immunity. The conversation highlights the potential dangers of Trump operating under the belief he is above the law, the risks to the Department of Justice's integrity, and the alarming prospects of his second term impacting accountability and justice.
25:14
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Quick takeaways
- Trump's intention to fire Special Counsel Jack Smith if re-elected signals a risk to legal accountability and Justice Department integrity.
- His claims of immunity from prosecution suggest a dangerous belief in operating without legal constraints, potentially undermining the judicial system.
Deep dives
Trump's Threats and Justice Department Norms
Donald Trump expressed his intention to fire Special Counsel Jack Smith if re-elected, indicating his belief that he could operate without accountability to the law. This undermines longstanding norms at the Department of Justice that were established after Watergate, which aimed to protect the investigation's integrity and the separation of powers. Trump's comments reveal a willingness to dismantle these norms, thereby risking the independence of the Justice Department and potentially obstructing ongoing federal prosecutions against him. Such actions could fundamentally alter the relationship between the presidency and the judicial system, creating a scenario where legal accountability becomes meaningless.
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