Fmr. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates - Equal Justice & Trump’s Threat to DOJ | The Daily Show

The Department of Justice (DOJ) primarily focuses on non-partisan issues like human trafficking and drug cartels, but its core mission is to seek justice for all Americans. However, the former Deputy Attorney General, Sally Yates, expressed concern that Donald Trump's administration posed a unique threat to this core mission by attempting to weaponize the DOJ for personal gain and political retaliation, potentially undermining the concept of equal justice.

DOJ's Role

• 00:00:49 The DOJ employs a large number of career employees dedicated to justice, handling various cases like child pornography, human trafficking, drug cartels, and gang activity. Most of the DOJ's work is done in a non-partisan manner, focusing on fairness and justice, rather than partisan politics. The DOJ's sole responsibility is to seek justice, although not all will agree with the decisions made.

Trump's Threat to DOJ

• 00:08:04 Donald Trump's presidency represented a unique threat to the DOJ, as he viewed it as a personal tool for retaliation against political opponents. Trump's actions demonstrated a clear intent to use the DOJ's power for personal gain, potentially compromising the principle of equal justice. This raised concerns about the department's integrity and its ability to remain impartial in its pursuit of justice.

Concerns of DOJ Weaponization

• 00:13:29 The potential for weaponization of the DOJ is a significant concern due to its immense size and power. This fear is rooted in historical precedents, like the FBI's actions against Martin Luther King Jr. The possibility of using the DOJ to target individuals or groups based on political agendas raises concerns about fairness and equal justice for all. The system's complexity makes it difficult to know if it will withstand potential abuses of power.

Checks & Balances Within DOJ

• 00:13:59 The DOJ includes internal checks and balances, like indictment review committees, which assess the merits of each case. Prosecutorial discretion involves weighing the evidence and considering whether a case is appropriate for federal prosecution, ensuring resources are used effectively and fairly. This subjective process ensures that not every violation is pursued, balancing justice with the use of resources.

Leadership & Reform

• 00:17:33 The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General are in charge of the DOJ, leading and overseeing its priorities. US Attorneys, responsible for each district, play a key role in determining the focus of federal prosecutions within their districts. This leadership and the career employees within the DOJ are critical to upholding the principles of justice and ensuring fair application of the law.