NY AG James' Attorney Abbe Lowell: Trump has turned the DOJ into the ‘Department of Weaponization’

Political Retribution and Weaponization of Justice Department - The report highlights concerns about the potential weaponization of the Justice Department for political retribution, particularly against those who have investigated or opposed Donald Trump [1][7][12] - The Justice Department has opened investigations into New York Attorney General Leticia James, who secured a $500 million+ civil penalty against the Trump Organization for fraudulent business practices [1] - A special attorney has been assigned to investigate mortgage fraud allegations against Leticia James and US Senator Adam Schiff [1][18] - The appointment of Ed Martin, who couldn't get confirmed as US attorney, as a special attorney raises concerns about the motives behind the investigation [11][17] - Selective enforcement is alleged, with scrutiny primarily targeting Democrats while Republicans potentially receive a free pass [20] Erosion of Justice System Independence - The report suggests a departure from the traditional separation between the White House and the Department of Justice [1][10] - The current administration is accused of manipulating language and engaging in "double speak," reminiscent of George Orwell's "1984," to justify actions [3][4][12] - The administration's actions are compared to authoritarian regimes in Hungary, Turkey, and India, where political opponents are targeted [7] Legal and Ethical Concerns - The breadth of the request for documents from Leticia James' office is described as unprecedented [6] - The report questions the validity of the mortgage fraud allegations against Leticia James, suggesting they may be based on minor clerical errors [16] - The difficulty in finding legal representation for those targeted by the administration is noted, highlighting potential intimidation of law firms [21][22] - The role of lawyers in challenging government overreach, regardless of political affiliation, is emphasized [24][25]