Former Justice Department and FBI officials believe that the recent firings of career prosecutors who prosecuted Donald Trump were meant to intimidate the workforce and deter future investigations into the second Trump administration. Legal ethics expert Stephen Gillers stated that Trump’s motive behind the firings was retribution and deterrence. Trump’s actions were seen as revenge against those who crossed him and a way to force others to submit to his authority instead of the Constitution. The reassignments of senior prosecutors to a crackdown on sanctuary cities were criticized as weakening federal counterterrorism efforts. Critics fear that reassigning experienced prosecutors in charge of investigating national security threats could put the public at risk. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress, including Senator Bill Hagerty, have called for sweeping reforms at the Justice Department and FBI, supporting Trump’s efforts to shake up these agencies. Trump’s successful 2024 election victory is seen as a sign of ongoing support from voters, similar to how Richard Nixon approached allies and enemies. The public perception that investigations into Trump are unfair has given him the ability to openly retaliate against those who have targeted him, creating an era where Trump can continue to take revenge on his perceived enemies without much pushback.
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