Guardrails Gone: Trump Pressures Justice Department, Widens Domestic Force Use

Overview

• The New York Times reporting, republished by The Indian Express, describes President Trump telling Attorney General Pam Bondi whom to charge, including James Comey, with a message apparently accidentally posted on Truth Social.
• Bondi’s department charged Comey five days later after removing a prosecutor who had raised concerns about bringing a case, according to the report.
• An indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James followed, extending a retribution-focused approach that aides had blocked during Trump’s first term.
• The administration has deployed National Guard units and ICE agents to several cities led by Democratic mayors over their objections, reflecting more sweeping domestic use of federal forces.
• Commentary notes that warnings from former aides and generals during the 2024 campaign have been borne out, while faulting political and media institutions for emphasizing those warnings too late to sway voters.