In just a few hours at midnight, the federal government is expected to shut down. It would be the first government shutdown since the last time Donald Trump was president. A new poll by NPR PBS and Mar shows that if the government does shut down tonight, which we fully expect, Americans would blame Republicans more than Democrats with 38% of respondents blaming Republicans, 27% blaming Democrats, and 31% blaming both parties.Meanwhile, the president today said from the Oval Office that Democrats are to blam ...

Allegations of Misconduct and Abuse of Power - The Department of Justice (DOJ), under Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch, is accused of abandoning the rule of law and engaging in politically motivated targeting of Democratic lawmakers [1][2] - Todd Blanch is alleged to have instructed federal agents to handcuff Newark's mayor, Ross Baraka, outside an immigration detention center [3][4] - Concerns are raised about Todd Blanch's involvement in "stage crafting" the arrest of the mayor, questioning the appropriateness of his level of involvement [6] - There are allegations that Todd Blanch is acting as Donald Trump's "puppet," prioritizing Trump's desire for "revenge" over impartial application of the law [9][10] - Law enforcement officers were allegedly instructed to turn off body cameras during the arrest, raising concerns about evidence suppression [5][11][19] - Charges against the mayor were dropped, suggesting a lack of basis for the arrest [11][12][13][17] Implications and Concerns - The actions of the DOJ are described as a "stain" on the country and "outrageous" [5][14][20] - Questions are raised about the DOJ's oversight of ICE and the unusual level of involvement of high-ranking DOJ officials in what appears to be a minor case [15][16][17] - The report suggests a departure from normal procedures, where significant cases against high-profile individuals would typically be thoroughly vetted before arrests are made [18] - The mayor of Newark is pursuing a lawsuit, potentially adding Todd Blanch to the list of defendants [12]

Government Oversight & Rule of Law - The report suggests a decline in the separation between the White House and the Department of Justice (DOJ), reminiscent of the Nixon era [1][2] - The analysis indicates a reversal of normal justice processes, with the president allegedly pressuring the DOJ to target political opponents [1][4] - The report highlights concerns that established protocols designed to maintain DOJ independence have been disregarded [2][3] - The report points out that the rule of law is perceived to be in danger, with the Supreme Court potentially enabling presidential overreach [3] Political Polarization & Public Opinion - The analysis contrasts the current political climate with the Watergate era, noting a lack of bipartisan condemnation of potential abuses of power [6] - The report indicates that public pressure may be less effective than in the past, with a significant percentage (30%) of Republicans finding it acceptable for a president to direct the DOJ to investigate political opponents [9] - The report suggests that militarizing US cities could negatively affect public discourse and First Amendment rights [10] Specific Case & Potential Consequences - The report questions the validity of potential charges against James Comey, suggesting they are based on thin evidence and may not survive a trial [11] - The analysis expresses concern that members of the Senate may prioritize party loyalty over factual evidence, potentially undermining accountability [12] - The report concludes that the current situation is worse than Watergate due to a perceived lack of respect for the rule of law and bipartisanship [13]

Legal Analysis of the Comey Indictment - Legal experts and former prosecutors consider the indictment against James Comey exceptionally weak due to fundamental problems with the case and unusual preceding events [1] - The defense may argue vindictive prosecution, citing the president's urging of the Attorney General to pursue the indictment [2][3][4] - Motions for vindictive prosecution rarely succeed, but the president's explicit directives provide strong evidence [5] - James Comey intends to fight the charges and claims innocence [5] Concerns Regarding the Prosecution - The indictment is described as unusually thin, lacking detail [10] - There are suggestions of pressure to secure the indictment, potentially overriding standard prosecutorial practices [4][14] - One legal expert suggests the situation is abnormal, with potential ethical breaches [12][14] - Concerns are raised about the potential for retaliatory prosecutions and the erosion of the rule of law [17] Key Evidence and Testimony - The indictment stems from Comey's 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee testimony where he denied being an anonymous source in news reports [7] - The government argues Comey knew about anonymous leaks, contradicting his testimony [10] - McCabe's testimony is cited, indicating he didn't inform Comey in advance of the leaks [11]

Comey was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday on allegations he lied to Congress five years ago regarding the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. He was charged with making a false statement and obstruction. Comey has denied any wrongdoing.The indictment marks the culmination of Trump's yearslong obsession with Comey, going back as early as July 2016 when the FBI under Comey opened the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Less than a year later in May 2017, ...

Political & Legal Analysis - The analysis suggests a weaponization of the Department of Justice against perceived political enemies, which is viewed as inconsistent with the rule of law in the United States [1] - The situation reflects a broader attack on the rule of law that should concern all Americans, regardless of political affiliation [4] - The charges are expected to be dismissed in court [4] Societal Concerns - The country is perceived to be heading in the wrong direction, a sentiment shared by the majority of Americans [2] - Republicans are seen as avoiding their responsibilities to improve life for the American people [2] Historical Context & Implications - The actions of James Comey 11 days before the 2016 election are considered by some to have influenced Donald Trump's election [3] - The prosecution of James Comey is characterized as a malicious repayment by Donald Trump [3]

Political Landscape - Political reactions to the indictment are divided along party lines, with Democrats viewing it as a red line and Republicans celebrating it [1] - Some Democratic lawmakers warn about the abuse of power and the potential demise of democracy if such actions are allowed to go unpunished [2][3][7] - The administration is accused of being lawless and engaging in actions that could lead to authoritarianism [6] Democratic Response - Democrats are urged to stand up to the perceived bully and not back down or bend [2][7] - There is a call for transparency to educate the American people about the potential dangers of the current situation [10][13] - The situation is compared to Richard Nixon's era, suggesting a repeat of history but potentially more ferocious [10][11] Concerns and Targets - There are concerns that the administration is weaponizing its power to seek retribution against political opponents [12] - The President has expanded his target list to include individuals like Lisa Monaco, Fonnie Willis, George Soros, and Reed Hoffman [14] - There are worries that members of Congress who speak out against the administration could be targeted [14] Resilience and Action - Individuals are encouraged to turn their fear into power and reject the current state of affairs [16] - The American people will ultimately make decisive decisions about preserving and strengthening democracy [11] - It is emphasized that the current situation is not an exception but has become the rule, requiring a strong response [15]

Political Commentary & Rule of Law - The discussion centers on concerns about the potential weaponization and politicization of the justice system [9] - The analysis suggests a fear that the President is using the Justice Department for personal vendettas and to punish dissent [7][8][9] - The report highlights concerns over the appointment of individuals to key positions based on loyalty rather than relevant experience [4][6][7] - The document raises the issue of potential abuse of power and disregard for established legal and civil service protections [4][9] Public & Political Accountability - The report emphasizes the importance of public accountability for elected officials regarding their actions and stances on these issues [12][13] - The analysis points out the inconsistency in some Republican officials' stances, celebrating an indictment while also supporting the First Amendment [12] - The document suggests that public pressure can influence the administration's actions, referencing the example of walking back actions due to unpopularity [10][11] Legal Strategy & Precedent - The discussion mentions the President's past legal strategy of delay, stall, and ignore [3] - The report highlights a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration by a former federal prosecutor [8]

Justice Department Concerns - The legal community expresses concern over the potential collapse of the Justice Department's adherence to the rule of law [1] - The industry notes a sharp departure from the Justice Department's historical operating procedures, particularly regarding law enforcement decisions [2][3] - Observers highlight the risk of political influence dictating legal outcomes, potentially leading to the removal of experienced prosecutors [3] Potential Impact of the Comey Indictment - The legal field anticipates challenges in finding individuals willing to prosecute the Comey case, especially within the US Attorney's office in Virginia [5][6] - The industry foresees potential resignations within the US Attorney's office due to concerns about political interference [6] - Legal experts suggest the possibility of bringing in assistant US attorneys from other offices to work on the case [7] Legal Process and System Integrity - Legal analysts believe there's a higher chance the Comey case will be dismissed before trial due to potential concerns about the sufficiency of evidence and adherence to DOJ policy [10][11] - The legal community emphasizes that the case will serve as a critical test for the legal system, involving independent actors such as the federal judge and potential jurors [12] - The industry acknowledges the indictment as a potential indicator of future actions against political opponents [14][15]

Political Norms & Rule of Law - The analysis highlights concerns about the erosion of political and constitutional norms, particularly those established post-Watergate [1] - It points out the danger of a president using social media to demand the arrest of political opponents, potentially leading to abuse of power [2] - The report emphasizes the "what goes around comes around" principle, suggesting that actions taken now could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations, regardless of party affiliation [3] Potential Abuse of Power - The document raises concerns about a president potentially directing the Attorney General to target political enemies, including senators, house members, judges, and political operatives [3] - It describes a scenario where a Trump-appointed prosecutor refused to bring charges due to lack of evidence, followed by the president allegedly attempting to find someone who would pursue the case [2][3] Impact & Martyrdom - The analysis suggests that targeting political opponents can backfire, turning them into martyrs and uniting people behind them [4] - It argues that Donald Trump, despite understanding this dynamic during his own campaign, is now potentially making Comey a martyr for the rule of law [4]