DOJ’s Trump-Ordered Retaliation Efforts Flounder

Justice Department Struggles with Trump’s Retribution Agenda

Efforts by allies within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry out Donald Trump’s political retribution agenda are encountering significant setbacks, with recent actions described as a “big flop.” A pivotal moment came when Judge James Bozberg quashed subpoenas targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a decision that New York Times reporting suggests highlights prosecutors’ difficulties in even the most basic investigative steps.

The attempted legal scrutiny of Jerome Powell was reportedly an attempt by Trump to retaliate against the Federal Reserve chair for not complying with demands regarding interest rates. It also aimed to exert pressure on the central bank and undermine its traditional independence, a cornerstone of economic stability. However, reporting indicates there was insufficient grounds for such an investigation.

Subpoena Quashed, Prosecutors Criticized

The specific incident involved an idea, reportedly conceived by Trump’s housing associate Bill Pulte, to scrutinize renovations at the Federal Reserve. This directive was handed to Jeanine Pirro, who has been overseeing the case and is described as one of Trump’s more successful subordinates in “dead-ending” his directives. Pirro reportedly attempted to revive the case by asking Judge Bozberg to reconsider his decision, though this is seen as unlikely given the judge’s scathing assessment.

Glenn Thrush, a Justice Department reporter for The New York Times, commented on the situation, suggesting that such cases are “ordered up like Uber rides or Uber Eats orders by the White House.” He explained that individuals downstream are compelled to act or face repercussions from the president. Thrush characterized Pirro’s approach as “death by grand jury or death by judge,” where prosecutors present weak cases to judges and grand juries, allowing them to dismiss the actions, thereby shielding Pirro from directly refusing Trump’s directives.

“This is what happens when cases are ordered up like Uber rides or Uber Eats orders by the White House. And the people downstream from this are essentially compelled to do it, or else they can hit the tiles or incur the wrath of the president of the United States, right?” – Glenn Thrush, NYT Justice Department Reporter

Erosion of DOJ Credibility

The repeated failures are not only hindering the intended retribution but are also damaging the credibility of the Justice Department. The report highlights a broader trend of judges increasingly doubting the word of DOJ lawyers. Traditionally, these lawyers benefited from a “presumption of regularity,” a solid bond of trust with the courts. However, this presumption has significantly eroded over the past year.

Liz Oyer, a former Department of Justice pardon attorney, noted that this appears to be at least the sixth of Trump’s “purported revenge prosecutions” to fail, with at least three occurring under Pirro’s supervision. This follows failed attempts to secure charges against six Democratic members of Congress and an investigation into President Biden’s use of an autopen.

Oyer pointed out that these cases are failing very early in the legal process, with many not even securing indictments or having indictments dismissed shortly after being returned. The current situation, where even the grand jury subpoena process is faltering, is described as extraordinary.

Judges Under Pressure

The pressure on judges involved in these cases is palpable. Following Judge Bozberg’s ruling, Trump used his Truth Social platform to call for “serious disciplinary action” against him and other judges, labeling the Supreme Court a “weaponized and unjust political organization.” This kind of public attack on judges by Trump has reportedly led to judges receiving disturbing deliveries, such as pizzas sent in the name of the son of Esther Salas, a federal judge whose son was murdered.

Despite the pressure and the perceived lack of support, judges are largely holding firm and performing their duties. The report also mentions that an attempt was made to challenge Judge Bozberg through a judicial misconduct complaint filed by Pam Bondi, which was ultimately dismissed.

Looking Ahead

The ongoing struggles of the DOJ in executing Trump’s retribution agenda raise questions about the future of such politically motivated investigations. The erosion of trust between the DOJ and the judiciary, coupled with the public backlash against judges, creates a precarious environment. Observers will be watching to see if these persistent failures lead to a re-evaluation of the strategy or if the pressure to comply with perceived directives from former President Trump continues to drive these ultimately unsuccessful legal endeavors.

Source: ‘A big flop’: Justice Department struggling to enact revenge and retribution on Trump's enemies (YouTube)