The Daily Beast Podcast How Desperate Trump Could Kill Democracy: Toobin
16 snips
Jan 15, 2026 Jeffrey Toobin, a legal analyst and New York Times contributor, dives deep into the current threats to democracy posed by Donald Trump. He discusses how Trump has tightened control over the Justice Department and the uneasy alignment of Congressional Republicans. Toobin highlights the Supreme Court's shift from a check on presidential power to an enabler, with potential implications for controversial rulings on tariffs and birthright citizenship. He also explores the challenges of restoring integrity amidst politicization in federal agencies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Court Lacks Direct Enforcement Power
- Jeffrey Toobin says the Supreme Court lacks enforcement power and relies on other branches to follow rulings.
- That makes court decisions vulnerable if the executive or Congress choose to evade or reinterpret them.
Ex-Prosecutor's View From Inside
- Toobin recounts his time as an assistant U.S. attorney in Brooklyn to illustrate past DOJ insulation from politics.
- He contrasts that career culture with today's unprecedented internal protests and resignations.
Justice Department Politicized And Reshaped
- Toobin describes a complete transformation and politicization of the DOJ under Pam Bondi.
- He notes resignations, narrowed prosecutions, and norm-breaking actions like searching a reporter's home.