File photo courtesy of Black Enterprisee

 

The political landscape took a dramatic turn as US President Donald Trump urged the Justice Department to target his adversaries, igniting a fierce debate over democracy's future. Democratic leaders warn this move edges the nation closer to dictatorship, sparking fears akin to a "banana republic." The controversy escalated when talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air, coinciding with threats from Trump loyalists.

 

These developments follow Trump's public demand for legal actions against those he perceives as enemies, including California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Critics, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argues that manipulating the Justice Department for personal vendettas mirrors dictatorial regimes.

 

The situation was described on CNN as alarming, with a caution against any misuse of federal power in Connecticut. Senator Chris Murphy echoed these warnings, labelling the current time as one of the most perilous periods in American history. Appearing on ABC, Murphy cautioned that using governmental power to silence opposition risked transforming the nation into a "banana republic." The remarks highlighted deep concerns over Trump's tactics and the potential threats to democratic norms.

 

The situation intensified when Trump removed a federal prosecutor who was associated with an investigation into James Erik Sieber. The individual overseeing the probe in Virginia resigned after Trump purportedly pressured the direction of the investigation. The statements implied a belief in guilt, even though he claimed not to closely monitor the situation.r fuels allegations of authoritarianism amid claims of legal overreach for political gain.

 

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined the chorus of concern, criticising Trump’s actions as perilously shifting political dynamics. She highlighted the risk of further targeting political opponents using legal and prosecutorial tools, reflecting an unprecedented tilt in political norms. Schiff and James, both targets of Trump’s ire, have led investigations against him, bolstering Trump’s claims of biased political persecution.

 

Trump's history with Schiff includes conflicts dating back to his first term, when Schiff played a significant role during Trump’s impeachment trial. James pursued Trump post-presidency, filing a civil fraud case accusing him of inflating assets for economic benefits. Though initially resulting in a steep fine, the financial penalty was later overturned, keeping the legal disputes alive.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Trump's demands for legal action against opponents stir fears of declining democracy.
• Democratic leaders warn against potential dictatorship and misuse of federal power.
• Legal conflicts involving Schiff and James continue amidst claims of political retribution.

 

Related Stories:

 

Read more World News stories here

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from AFP 2025-09-22

 

 

"It looks to me like [James] is very guilty of something, but I really don’t know," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. 

 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-poised-fire-us-attorney-resisting-effort-charge/story?id=125700904

They sound like a bunch scared guilty criminals for criminally abusing the law to attempt to incarcerate their political enemy and never thought it would ever backfire on them.

All the prior criminal charges against Trump -- whether they were smart decisions or not -- were the result of grand jury indictments. At least so far, the charges against some of those in the OP and others by the Trump DoJ have met the reaction of the empaneled grand juries (in effect): 

 

Are you kidding?

2 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

All the prior criminal charges against Trump -- whether they were smart decisions or not -- were the result of grand jury indictments. At least so far, the charges against some of those in the OP and others by the Trump DoJ have met the reaction of the empaneled grand juries (in effect): 

 

Are you kidding?

Often rejected in multiple attempts to get indictments.

 

 

Dictatorship, what dictatorship?

23 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

All the prior criminal charges against Trump -- whether they were smart decisions or not -- were the result of grand jury indictments. At least so far, the charges against some of those in the OP and others by the Trump DoJ have met the reaction of the empaneled grand juries (in effect): 

 

Are you kidding?

Grand jury indictments in areas where try could not get a fair anything.  DC and the area in NY where Merchan came from.  97% of the votes were Democrat.  The AGs and DAs knew this was all tainted against Trump.  Then they put gag orders on him so he could not defend himself and now have the balls to say they are worried about Democracy.

1 minute ago, thaipo7 said:

Grand jury indictments in areas where try could not get a fair anything.  DC and the area in NY where Merchan came from.  97% of the votes were Democrat.  The AGs and DAs knew this was all tainted against Trump.  Then they put gag orders on him so he could not defend himself and now have the balls to say they are worried about Democracy.

 

It's a matter of public record that Trump falsified many things (eg size of his penthouse) to get favourable loan terms.

 

That's fraud.

7 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Grand jury indictments in areas where try could not get a fair anything.

You are right. They should find a way to indict James, Comey, etc. in Amarillo, Texas.

the MAGA movement, now in the spotlight is going more and more off the rails. the hyperbolic, hate filled, protectionist, nationalist crazy train is gonna completely derail and then and I think, only then will the supporters see the forest for the trees. That MAGA leaders DO NOT have the interest of the American public, let alone the global community at the core of their agenda. 

 

It is all a front for wanna be oligarchs to keep and amass more money, power and control. 

 

They are drunk on money, power and control. 

 

It is downright sick. A mental illness.

 

Let Trump rant and go on and speak his mind. He digs a deeper whole every time he opens his mouth. Just a complete sophomore and he's got a whole lot of slow thinking people believing everything he says is American gospel.

 

At sometime ( and I hope soon) he will really slip up and be subject to what Jimmy Kimmel has suffered,  -- cancellation. Cancel this wanna be oligarch posing as a leader and his whole fraudulent show.

Politicizing the DOJ, has anyone noticed Trump accuses his adversaries of doing exactly what he does.

No fears of dictatorship but reality.

He's a proven fascist and dictator.

A Civil War comes soon

This man is a hateful freak and if he is allowed to he will run amok over every aspect of democracy the US has ever known. He needs to be stopped.

 

I remember a rather quaint statement he made sometime ago about trying to unite the people of America. This is his most recent statement at Charlie Kirk's funeral no less. 

 

But the US president broke with her forgiveness message to say he disagreed with Charlie Kirk's view of wanting the best for his opponent.

 

"I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them," he said, adding: "I'm sorry, Erika." His reflections on hate were a contrast to the words spoken by Ms Kirk earlier, who delivered perhaps the most powerful moment of the service.

 

The president then said he disagreed with Kirk on one thing. "He did not hate his opponents, he wanted the best for them," he said, prompting some laughs. "That's where I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponents and I don't want what's best for them.

 

What a nasty piece of work. I wonder what drives that level of pathological hatred? My guess he's wakes up every morning so miserable, that he simply has to vent on whoever he can. And he sure does. 

 

 

 

 

 

53 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This man is a hateful freak and if he is allowed to he will run amok over every aspect of democracy the US has ever known. He needs to be stopped.

 

I remember a rather quaint statement he made sometime ago about trying to unite the people of America. This is his most recent statement at Charlie Kirk's funeral no less. 

 

But the US president broke with her forgiveness message to say he disagreed with Charlie Kirk's view of wanting the best for his opponent.

 

"I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them," he said, adding: "I'm sorry, Erika." His reflections on hate were a contrast to the words spoken by Ms Kirk earlier, who delivered perhaps the most powerful moment of the service.

 

The president then said he disagreed with Kirk on one thing. "He did not hate his opponents, he wanted the best for them," he said, prompting some laughs. "That's where I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponents and I don't want what's best for them.

 

What a nasty piece of work. I wonder what drives that level of pathological hatred? My guess he's wakes up every morning so miserable, that he simply has to vent on whoever he can. And he sure does. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was quite impressed with Ms. Kirk stating she forgave the alleged shooter and thought Kirk would too as they are both obviously devout Christians and, in at least, the spiritual principle of forgiveness align themselves with this teaching of Christ.

 

Anyone who believes that Trump subscribes to the teaching of Christ and the new testament of the Bible has been completely bamboozled.

 

Selflessness as an underlying ideal of Trumps life? OBVIOUSLY NOT.

 

TACO (again).

Kimmel to return.

https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-suspension-supporters-94b79634a19b2c4ce70a2b4195ef1175

https://news.sky.com/story/jimmy-kimmel-show-to-return-after-being-taken-off-air-over-charlie-kirk-comments-13436437

 

This from the guy who kept screaming for years that Biden was weaponizing the DOJ to go after him. Which Biden didn’t.

Sadly the empire is on the way down as witnessed by the quality of its elected leadership. 

5 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Sadly the empire is on the way down as witnessed by the quality of its elected leadership. 

It can still be repaired, but it's going to have to be done by "We, The People." For SURE the politicians aren't going to deal with it. Petty, stupid bickering that gets heated to the point that it's no longer safe to go outside has to stop. Or, Murikkka may fall just like Rome. As old as I am, I may see its implosion in my final years. We really are at a tipping point.

"...edges the nation closer to dictatorship."   Sadly, we're already there.  

I did a cursory search and couldn't find anything black and white. During all our lifetimes, it has never been acceptable for the president to direct the DOJ as is being done now.

 

Is it illegal to do so?

 

Does anyone have a link that could explain this definitively?

3 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I did a cursory search and couldn't find anything black and white. During all our lifetimes, it has never been acceptable for the president to direct the DOJ as is being done now.

 

Is it illegal to do so?

 

Does anyone have a link that could explain this definitively?

He is like a crime boss who never do the dirty works directly. His loyal soldiers will take the fall. There is so much that he can bully his sycophants to do his dirty deeds before they realized that they have been duped and will subsequently resigned like so many in his first term. 

37 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

He is like a crime boss who never do the dirty works directly. His loyal soldiers will take the fall. There is so much that he can bully his sycophants to do his dirty deeds before they realized that they have been duped and will subsequently resigned like so many in his first term. 

Yes, as his former attorney Michael Cohen described, he spoke in generalities when giving marching orders to his soldiers with tacit understandings of how to proceed.

 

This is completely different. He is sending direct instructions in broad daylight to Bondi. There is no misinterpreting his words.

 

So I ask again, while it was considered taboo in the past, is it illegal?

Quote

Trump Calls on DOJ to Charge Enemies, Sparks Dictatorship Fears

Just look at his role-models/friends: Al Saud, Putin, Kim

if Pol Pot or Idi Amin were still around and relevant, he would court them too.

On 9/22/2025 at 8:44 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Dictatorship, what dictatorship?

Nothing to see here, move along!😆

Magastan or Trumpmenistan*?

 

Vote/have your say here:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1373921-magastan-or-trumpmenistan/

 

 

*Shout-out to poster @Baht Simpson

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

Magastan or Trumpmenistan*?

 

Vote/have your say here:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1373921-magastan-or-trumpmenistan/

 

 

*Shout-out to poster @Baht Simpson

 

 

 

 

Neither, it's Dis-Unisted States of Trump

 

D.U.S.T.

42 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Yes, as his former attorney Michael Cohen described, he spoke in generalities when giving marching orders to his soldiers with tacit understandings of how to proceed.

 

This is completely different. He is sending direct instructions in broad daylight to Bondi. There is no misinterpreting his words.

 

So I ask again, while it was considered taboo in the past, is it illegal?

Question might be moot considering the current SCOTUS ruling that many of trump’s policies/actions are legal (Constitutional).

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

Neither, it's Dis-Unisted States of Trump

 

D.U.S.T.

Good one. I'll stick that in the poll thread!👍

On 9/22/2025 at 8:34 AM, jerrymahoney said:

reaction

You mean "rejection?"

30 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Question might be moot considering the current SCOTUS ruling that many of trump’s policies/actions are legal (Constitutional).

And this is the problem. The lines have become blurred and no one knows what the truth is any more. Usually his rabid weasle supporters JUMP at the chance to prove their point of how he's acting within the constraints of the constitution, however tenuous the connection might be. Since no weasle reportings have come forth, I strongly suspect it is technically illegal but none of the three branches are brave enough to hold his toes to the fire.