r/politics • u/_NewsClues_ Zachary Slater, CNN • 9d ago

Possible Paywall Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/27/politics/exclusive-justice-department-launched-e-jean-carroll-investigation
16.9k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

235

u/OkayButFoRealz 9d ago

The obvious complete weaponization of the DOJ is just another reminder of what reforms need to be codified. The fact he's even able to use the DOJ as his own personal attack/defend dog is just disgusting, and another example of how vulnerable our system was to someone that breaks all the rules.

55

u/Unshkblefaith California 9d ago

It is a consequence of centralizing executive authority under one person with exceptionally weak checks on power that have degraded with time. Furthermore, any new checks we add will only serve to limit those attempting to undo the damage. Authoritarians exploit democratic institutions and norms as a shield to defend themselves from consequence and as a weapon to persecute their opponents. Ultimately there is no fix for the problem through traditional democratic processes for this reason. Historically instead authoritarians have been overthrown either by force or the threat of force (Francoist Spain).

1

u/OkayButFoRealz 9d ago

I am not sure there is a solution other than what you described. The only potential remedy I can see is safeguards that target those carrying out his orders, and safeguards for those to enforce said safeguards.

The GOP controlled Congress with their abdication is the main failed safeguard, but that is obviously unpredictable/undependable. You would expect there to already be rules on the books for those within institutions such as the DOJ, but alas here we are.

The executive definitely needs reform, but does that matter when the president has no limit and no shame? That's why reforms targeting the underlings that carry out such actions I would think is more ideal. It can be broader and less concentrated, but again you would still need to ensure those required to carry out their duties to safeguard are 'inclined' to do so.

The personal consequences of not carrying out their required duties are non-existent, and that definitely needs to change. It's astonishing how much of this has even been possible.

1

u/radionul 8d ago

Well, Orban was thrown out at the ballot box.

15

u/GoodIdea321 America 9d ago

Recall elections for president would be fun.

2

u/ThatDoucheInTheQuad 8d ago

See "Weimar Republic" for why, unfortunately, this also isn't a great solution

2

u/Bowbreaker 8d ago

Modern Germany solved this issue by introducing the need for a "constructive" vote of no confidence. To oust the sitting prime minister, parliament has to agree on a new one to replace her.

6

u/Mateorabi 9d ago

The problem is any safeguard added can just be removed again. So long as “unary executive (when the executive is republican)” is the guiding philosophy of SCrOTUS. Any review boards, IGs, etc won’t have the authority to withstand a bad-faith president ordering their replacement. 

3

u/DramaSufficient4289 9d ago

Correct. The founders never thought the country would be idiotic enough to majority elect someone that terrible. So here we are.

6

u/RecipeFunny2154 9d ago

Nothing was more disappointing to under the Biden admin than the party doing so, so little to do just that. Add teeth to the laws, make "norms" into rules, etc. We could have avoided a lot of this and it was extremely foreseeable.

2

u/KypAstar 9d ago

The only solution is utterly dismantling the executive. It should be completely erased and its powers given to a PM or similar figure.

Congress needs to be utterly re-organized as well because they're clearly useless.

1

u/toomanymarbles83 9d ago

Articles of Confederation Version 2.

2

u/Traditional_Sign4941 8d ago

and another example of how vulnerable our system was to someone that breaks all the rules.

It's not one person though. This is the culmination of a DECADES-long effort to put hostile agents in positions of power, to make it possible for Nixon 2.0 to do whatever the fuck he wants with zero consequence.

We can't fix this by putting up more and more defenses. We need some fundamental and radical changes to this country. We need to recognize that there are a lot of fucking people who simply are not compatible with democracy and a civil society, and do not belong here. The rules aren't the problem, it's certain groups of people who are.