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Vanquishing Justice at DOJ (with Carol Leonnig & Aaron Davis)

Nov 6, 2025
In a riveting conversation, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis dissect the turmoil within the Justice Department during the Trump era. They delve into how the DOJ was politicized, the struggles of career staff against weaponization, and the challenges of public trust. Discussing their book, they explore the rhetoric surrounding these issues, shedding light on the complex narratives about accountability and integrity. With insights from their investigative work, they share thoughts on restoring the DOJ's independence and the brave officials resisting political pressures.
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ANECDOTE

Prosecutors Resigned Over Political Orders

  • Danielle Sassoon and other senior prosecutors resigned rather than obey orders to dismiss bribery charges.
  • The Southern District and SDNY saw significant departures of experienced prosecutors.
INSIGHT

Bread-And-Butter Work Under Strain

  • Local U.S. attorney offices still handle routine prosecutions but are feeling pressure from politicized directives.
  • That pressure creates a rot emanating from Main Justice that undermines trust in select venues.
INSIGHT

Why Earlier Trump Probes Were Different

  • DOJ investigations into Trump earlier were justified by substantial evidence and bipartisan concerns about national security and election integrity.
  • Davis and Leonnig urge revisiting that context to counter claims of partisan double standards.
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