Um, Mike, let me read you this part. So, here's what's normal. The Times actually takes us through this in the story.What's normal. Actually, the Times reports out what the Justice Department manual says is normal. Quote, according to the Justice Department manual, settlements of claims against the department for more than $4 million.This is $230 million. Quote, must be approved by the Deputy Attorney General or Associate Attorney General, meaning the person who oversees the agency civil division. Quote, "T ...

Rule of Law and Political Climate - Jack Smith criticizes the erosion of the rule of law and attacks on public servants, emphasizing the incalculable cost to the country [3] - Smith highlights concerns about the politicization of justice and the importance of upholding the rule of law [4] - Smith points out the danger of eroding checks and balances within the US government, particularly concerning whistleblower protection and nonpartisan prosecution [6] - The analysis suggests the current administration is selectively prosecuting political enemies [13] Pardons and Justice - The pardoning of January 6th rioters is seen as a defiance of the rule of law, siding with criminals against law enforcement [11][12] - The administration's actions are portrayed as potentially undermining law and order [11] Jack Smith's Perspective - Jack Smith is speaking out against attacks on the rule of law, presenting a report-like indictment of the current administration's actions [8] - Smith is modeling a non-partisan approach, emphasizing the need for unity across party lines to defend the rule of law [14][16] - Smith highlights cases where the Trump administration allegedly interfered with justice for political gain [15]

Anthony Kennedy was one of the most consequential Supreme Court justices of modern times. In a memoir, “Life, Law & Liberty”, he sounds deeply alarmed about the rule of law https://t.co/SSIYp7h6S7 ...

ing the president going after the justice department and trying to turn it inside out to become a place where law and facts don't govern charges and instead he gets a Russia-like set of indictments against any opponents that he doesn't like. We have watched the cozy links between Donald Trump and his own appointees. He's now run through more FBI directors than most presidents and it's on display at the White House.What you're seeing here is a total change and in concert with the revenge cases, it's a proble ...

Government Shutdown & Federal Employees - The administration fired at least 4,000 federal employees during the government shutdown [2] - CDC cuts wiped out entire offices that investigate disease outbreaks and manage infectious disease responses [2] - The Republican party and the Trump administration revel in the destruction of the government, using the shutdown to break the government [5][6] - The administration aims to destroy the government and rehire people who agree with the president's program [6] Retribution & Justice System - The Justice Department brought charges against New York Attorney General Leticia James for alleged mortgage fraud [7] - The administration indicted former FBI director James Comey [8] - The administration's actions are perceived as making it illegal or terrifying to oppose the president [9][10] - The actions against political opponents are seen as a way to deter criticism and opposition [10] - The indictments may backfire, creating martyrs and making targeted individuals more powerful [11][12] - The situation is perceived as a deviation from the American rule of law and the US justice system [15][16]

Former Vice President Kla Harris just sat down with our colleague Eugene Daniels for an exclusive interview that will air tomorrow morning on the weekend and she had this warning about the Trump Justice Department. What the DOJ does, and you know this better than I do, is so fundamental to the backbone of the country, right? The rule of law versus the rule of men. Um, can Americans trust the criminal justice system right now and what's coming out of the DOJ? I don't know if we can trust what's coming out of ...

In the past couple of weeks, we have seen the indictments of former FBI director James Comey. >> Uh the indictment just a few days ago of the attorney general of New York, Leticia James. >> You called this in your book um Trump's vengeance agenda >> before it even happened. >> Before it happened, you predicted this.You seem like saying I told you so. But this is one of those things that you um predicted. You were an attorney general of the second largest DOJ in the country, second only to the United States ...

Joining me now is Brendan Belaloo, a former federal prosecutor in the DOJ's National Security Division. He resigned in January after the president's decision to pardon or commute the sentences of more than 1,500 January 6th riers. Brendan, thank you for being here.I I mean, it's been less than 10 months and we've gone from Trump pardoning the J6 supporters to the prosecution of his adversaries. You said earlier this year um the DOJ was bleeding credibility. How do you see your department now.>> I it's it's ...

Political Retribution and Abuse of Power - The report suggests a pattern of potential abuse of power, with allegations that a former president directed the Attorney General to arrest political opponents [1][8] - The report highlights concerns about the weaponization of the Justice Department and the use of the law to target political adversaries and chill reporting [1][4] - The analysis points out that the former president's actions are seen as an attempt to stay in power and avoid investigations [18][19] Legal Challenges and Media Scrutiny - The report mentions lawsuits filed by the former president against media organizations, including a $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times, and individual journalists [3] - The report notes that some of these lawsuits were dismissed due to their spurious nature [2] - The report suggests that media organizations anticipate continued legal challenges and attempts to intimidate them [4] Government Destabilization and Erosion of Norms - The report argues that the former president has destabilized the government, leading to a situation where individuals prioritize their own power and talking points [9] - The report indicates that the absence of restraining influences has allowed the former president to push boundaries and potentially abuse power [12][16] - The report raises concerns about the appointment of individuals who will carry out the former president's bidding, potentially undermining the integrity of government institutions like the Internal Revenue Service [21] Public Opinion and Political Impact - The report suggests that using the Department of Justice for revenge will likely be unpopular with the American people [17] - The report notes that the former president's actions, such as sending federal officers into cities, are perceived as authoritarian [19][20] - The report implies that the former president's pursuit of power and control may ultimately harm his presidency, as even supporters may question his motives [21]

I mean, James was charged with two counts. One for bank fraud and another for making false statements to a financial institution. But what that really means in layman's terms, I guess, is is mortgage fraud.Now, that is ringing a bell for you. That is because that has become the Trump gingup charge of choice, mortgage fraud. Trump appointed this guy, Bill Py, to be his little lackey over as the director of the Federal Housing Finance Associ agency.And even though that agency is in charge of monitoring the ma ...