President Trump’s relationship with the Justice Department has always been a wild ride, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected courtroom appearances. It’s a dramatic saga that’s hard to believe and even harder to look away from. From facing investigations over alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election to dealing with criminal cases during the Biden administration, Trump and the Justice Department have danced a complicated tango that’s sparked endless speculation and controversy.
In his earlier terms, Trump faced a tough crowd with his choices for attorneys general. Both Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr were expected to toe the line as loyal allies, but it turned out they weren’t quite the puppets Trump had hoped for. Sessions famously recused himself from any matters involving the Trump campaign, infuriating the president. It was clear that Trump wanted someone who would act more like a personal defense attorney than an impartial law enforcement official. This led to the appointment of Pam Bondi in his second term, who promised a new era for the Justice Department, vowing to put an end to what he called the “Department of Injustice.”
Fast forward to now, and Trump appears to be calling the shots loud and clear at the Justice Department. He has taken a direct approach, urging Bondi to file charges against political rivals like New York’s Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. This shift signified a significant transformation, as the Justice Department seemed to take on an increasingly partisan role, moving away from its traditional independence. It became evident that Trump was more focused on his agenda than maintaining the DOJ’s longstanding norm of impartiality, which had been respected by administrations from both political parties.
One of the notable changes under Trump’s thumb was the appointment of his own personal attorney, Lindseay Halligan. Unfortunately for her, a judge determined that her appointment as a federal prosecutor was improper, and she faced a setback when cases against political opponents were dismissed. It’s a classic case of things not going as planned, which has happened plenty of times when dealing with Trump’s ambitious spirit.
Not only did Trump shake things up at the DOJ, but he also made waves at the FBI. Cash Patel, a loyal confidant, took over the FBI, leading to sweeping changes that had some insiders worried. The bureau’s focus had shifted from tackling the big fish of national security and terrorism to policing lower-level street crimes instead. Suddenly, FBI agents found themselves engaging in activities like writing citations for food truck vendors instead of working on serious criminal cases, which left them feeling frustrated and out of place. The Justice Department’s priorities took a shift, reflecting Trump’s heavy emphasis on law and order, especially in urban areas.
Meanwhile, Trump has also wielded his executive powers with a flair for the dramatic, granting clemency far and wide. In the first year of his second term alone, he pardoned over 1,600 individuals, with many of those pardons connected to cases initiated during the Biden administration. Moreover, he took steps to influence law firms that had represented his opponents, securing hefty agreements for pro bono work from firms to avoid being boycotted or losing contracts. This left many legal professionals pondering whether it was worth the risk to oppose Trump’s administration—an unprecedented chilling effect that could reshape how legal representation is approached in the future.
This blend of interacting with the Justice Department and extending his influence over the FBI and the legal profession paints a rather striking picture of how dramatically Trump has changed the landscape of law and justice in America. Traditionally, the Justice Department’s independence was regarded as untouchable. Still, under Trump’s leadership, it seems that distinct separation is becoming increasingly porous, leaving many to wonder what the future holds and whether the delicate balance between the presidency and the rule of law can endure these powerful shifts.
