Trump's Weaponization of the Justice Department

Donald Trump's weaponization of the Justice Department to go after his political enemies is not particularly new. Trump wanted his Justice Department to investigate and prosecute a long list of people and entities during his first term including Hillary Clinton, the Clinton Foundation, Former FBI Director James Comey, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, law enforcement officials, federal prosecutors, and agents from the intelligence community who investigated his campaign's connection to Russia. The Justice Department opened up investigations or appointed special counsels to investigate nearly everyone on Trump's hit list. Of all the people Trump had investigated during his first term, only three were charged with a crime, and only one of them--low level FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith--was convicted. Read Adam Klasfeld's and Ryan Goodman's review at Just Security for more about Trump siccing the Justice Department on his enemies during his first term. Then read about the 100 times that Trump has threatened to punish or prosecute his perceived enemies since 2022.

Trump's abuse of the Justice Department during his first term pales in comparison with his weaponization of it in his second term. Trump received at least some pushback against his abuse early in his first term by his first Attorney General, Jeff Sessions and by White House Counsel Don McGahn who advised Trump against using the Department to go after his enemies. But any restraints on Trump's abuse in his first term are now off in his second term, and he is now wielding his Department of Justice with a fury never seen before.