Trump’s Justice Department: Fear and Fallout as Revenge Prosecutions Loom

[Social Media]

 

As Donald Trump prepares to assume the presidency once more, the Justice Department (DOJ) and the FBI are bracing for an era of political retribution. Legal experts and insiders believe that Trump’s nomination of staunch ally Matt Gaetz as attorney general signals a determined effort to consolidate control over the DOJ and pursue investigations against his perceived adversaries.  

 

Multiple current and former DOJ and FBI officials, fearing criminal investigations, have begun consulting lawyers, a move reflecting their heightened concerns. "Everything we did was aboveboard," stated a former senior FBI official anonymously, though they expect to be targeted regardless. They anticipate costly legal battles and potential congressional investigations as part of a broader strategy by Trump loyalists.  

 

Gaetz’s selection has amplified these fears. The former congressman, who faced but was not charged in a federal sex trafficking investigation, is seen by many as an enforcer of Trump’s agenda. A former DOJ official remarked, “He needs to be able to control the department, which he can do through a loyal AG beholden to him.” They added that Gaetz’s own vulnerabilities ensure his loyalty to Trump, who retains the power to protect him through potential pardons.  

 

The fear among DOJ and FBI officials stems from Trump’s consistent portrayal of their prior investigations as politically motivated. His spokesperson, Steven Cheung, dismissed all criminal charges against Trump as partisan attacks, calling for their dismissal. Legal experts view the looming investigations into Justice Department officials as a method to intimidate those who dare to scrutinize Trump’s actions.  

 

Stephen Gillers, an ethics professor at New York University, said, “Trump aims to neutralize sources of power that may impede him. That includes the law and legal institutions. He will tolerate no interference when the department’s decisions will benefit Trump and his allies or when its power can be deployed to retaliate against his enemies.”  

 

Inside the DOJ, morale has plummeted. Following Trump’s unexpected election victory, officials expressed shock and dismay, some even weeping at the prospect of his return to power. Attorney General Merrick Garland had sought to restore nonpartisan norms within the DOJ, but Trump's victory dashed those efforts.  

 

Despite Trump’s claims of corruption within the DOJ, officials maintain that their investigations, including federal charges related to Trump’s handling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election, were conducted properly. “There’s no crime,” said one law enforcement official, puzzled by the allegations against them.  

 

However, conservative lawyer Mike Davis and others argue that DOJ officials, including special counsel Jack Smith, could be prosecuted under laws like “conspiracy against rights.” Critics dismiss such theories as baseless. Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, stated, “I think that’s absurd. I don’t see any legitimate charge that can be brought against Smith.”  

 

Legal experts warn, though, that investigations can unearth unrelated minor infractions. A special prosecutor, for instance, might find violations involving taxes or other offenses during broader probes. This tactic was evident during past investigations: Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, faced convictions unrelated to the original Russia inquiry, while Special Counsel John Durham’s examination of the 2016 election netted only a single guilty plea for an unrelated matter.  

 

For those targeted, the financial toll can be devastating. Many DOJ and FBI officials now face the prospect of exorbitant legal fees, adding to the personal and professional costs of becoming entangled in politically motivated investigations.  

 

Gillers noted that Trump’s nomination of Gaetz marks only the beginning of this strategy. “Elevating Gaetz is in part payback for Jack Smith’s two indictments,” he said. “The Justice Department is Trump’s white whale, and like Captain Ahab, Trump is determined to get even.”  

As the DOJ prepares for a turbulent future, the implications for the rule of law and the independence of legal institutions remain uncertain, raising questions about the durability of democratic norms in an era of escalating political vengeance.  

 

Based on a report by NBC News 2024-11-19

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Multiple current and former DOJ and FBI officials, fearing criminal investigations, have begun consulting lawyers, a move reflecting their heightened concerns.

I hope their fear is about something that will happen, and not just more bluster by Trump. If ever a cabal deserved to be taken down it's them.

 

It's time for payback! Best result- they'll be sharing that cell they had in mind for Trump. It's going to get real cosy in there.

 

 

BTW, where are all those posters that were wont to pontificate about how Trump would be in a jail cell by now? They seem to have gone very quiet .

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

As the DOJ prepares for a turbulent future, the implications for the rule of law and the independence of legal institutions remain uncertain, raising questions about the durability of democratic norms in an era of escalating political vengeance.  

Given the shenanigans surrounding the removal of a nominated candidate for POTUS against his will, to be replaced by a woman with no political mandate of any kind, democracy in the US is already dead, IMO.

[Cryingdick]

MSNBC has already started sending envoys to Mar A lago to grovel at Trump's feet and beg for another chance.