Justice Dept. Subpoenas Office of Letitia James, Who Sued Trump for Fraud
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into one of President Trump’s longtime adversaries, Attorney General Letitia James of New York, examining whether her office violated his civil rights in its successful fraud suit against him, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.
The acting U.S. attorney in Albany sent Ms. James’s office two subpoenas, one of which was related to the civil fraud case, which led to Mr. Trump being penalized more than half a billion dollars.
The second subpoena is related to the office’s long-running case against the National Rifle Association, the people said. Ms. James sued the organization in 2020, winning the ouster of its longtime leader, Wayne LaPierre, and sharply diminishing its power.
Two of the people familiar with the matter said that the new subpoenas were part of a broader investigation to determine whether the office violated Mr. Trump’s rights or those of others. It is a highly unusual use of a civil rights law more typically used to investigate potential racial, religious or sex discrimination, among other categories.
.........goes beyond the undeniable weaponization of the DoJ by trump and Bondi.
The explanation also includes the unprecedented fact that the POTUS is a convicted criminal. At no time in our history has a prez had such a compliant AG willing to enable retribution against members of the justice system who sought to hold the prez accountable for his crimes.
James is far from the only one. There was another round of terminations among FBI officials yesterday.
More heads roll at FBI
The Trump administration has launched another purge at the FBI, forcing out three law enforcement veterans including a former head of the agency, according to two people familiar with the developments.
Former acting director Brian Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office Steven Jensen, and Washington-based Special Agent Walter Giardina were informed they are being fired, according to the two people, who were not authorized to discuss the matter. Formal paperwork is expected to be issued Friday.
Then there's Jack Smith.
About that Jack Smith investigation
JACK SMITH’s time has finally come.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel last week launched an investigation into the man who brought two federal criminal cases against DONALD TRUMP in 2023.
But the investigation appears to be a thinly veiled political stunt aimed at placating the president, who has promised to seek retribution against the former Justice Department special counsel.
The probe focuses on whether Smith used his position as a federal government employee to engage in political activities in violation of the Hatch Act. It comes after Senate Intelligence Chair TOM COTTON (R-Ark.) requested that OSC investigate Smith for “unprecedented interference in the 2024 election.” The office, an independent agency in the executive branch, investigates whistleblower complaints and alleged violations of civil service laws. It is separate from DOJ special counsels who are appointed by the attorney general to handle politically sensitive cases.
The inquiry raises a number of questions, including: what conduct, if any, by Smith might be considered political; how the OSC could even punish him; and what Trump’s ultimate aim could be.
The conditioned response by trump's defenders is invariably to invoke specious whataboutisms. Making accusations about things Biden or Obama did wholly lacking supporting evidence. Essentially, a recitation of lies and fallacious right wing talking points that are gospel inside the parallel universe existing outside the realm of reality. The comfort they provide keeping trump fans from feeling the need to address the here and now. Perhaps because the here and now is indefensible.
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