Key Takeaways
- Justice Department launched investigations into federal lawmakers and the Federal Reserve chairman.
- DOJ tactics escalated under Trump, linked to campaign promises of retribution.
- Career prosecutors resigned in Minnesota over ethical concerns about DOJ's targeting critics.
- Public disapproval of immigration enforcement tactics negatively impacts Trump's support.
- The administration is testing governmental guardrails, especially through the judicial system.
Deep Dive
- The Justice Department is investigating at least five federal lawmakers and the chairman of the Federal Reserve.
- This follows a report from NPR's "Consider This" detailing recent high-profile Justice Department actions.
- The actions also include prosecutor resignations in Minnesota related to investigative directives.
- NPR's Domenico Montanaro and Carrie Johnson discussed the escalation of Justice Department tactics under the Trump administration.
- These actions are linked to prior campaign promises of retribution and a Supreme Court immunity ruling.
- Polling indicates public disapproval of ICE's harsh enforcement tactics and deportations, negatively impacting Trump's numbers.
- The discussion also covered the Minnesota situation and broader immigration policy concerns.
- Democrats reported FBI contact for questioning regarding a video urging military members to disregard illegal orders.
- Lawmakers view the FBI's actions as an infringement on their First Amendment and legislative rights.
- Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is under investigation concerning testimony about building renovations.
- The FBI also searched the home of a Washington Post journalist over a leaked story involving a federal contractor.
- The Justice Department is not commenting on investigations into Chairman Powell or lawmakers.
- It defends immigration enforcement in Minnesota, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche citing officers' split-second decisions.
- The DOJ is reportedly investigating Renee Macklin Good's widow for potential ties to activist groups.
- Career federal prosecutors resigned from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota, linked to ethical tests for prosecutors nationwide.
- This pattern arises when the Justice Department is perceived to be targeting critics of the administration.