To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Julian Zelizer: Power and Punishment
Sep 23, 2025
Join historian Julian Zelizer, an expert on U.S. politics, as he delves into the alarming erosion of institutional norms. He critiques recent political intimidation tactics, including weaponized investigations and media pressure, that threaten democracy. Zelizer connects these issues to historical patterns and emphasizes the risks of normalizing authoritarian behavior. He urges citizens and leaders alike to uphold democratic guardrails, asserting their crucial role in maintaining accountability and integrity within political systems.
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DOJ Norms Are Crumbling
- The Trump administration is eroding the norm that DOJ is independent and not a tool of the president.
- Julian Zelizer warns this break threatens constitutional restraints built since Watergate.
Public Commands Normalize Abuse
- Trump publicly ordering prosecutions signals he views the executive as personal power rather than a legal institution.
- Zelizer says doing it in broad daylight is a strategy to normalize and defang outrage.
Strength and Desperation Combined
- Trump's attacks mix performative displays of strength with signs of desperation and overreach.
- Zelizer argues that mixture makes the moment both dangerous and unstable.