Staff Reports
A wave of panic seems to be sweeping through the ranks of the DOJ and FBI, as multiple officials—both past and present—find themselves scrambling to retain legal representation in the face of what’s perceived as a looming criminal investigation by the incoming Trump administration. This preemptive lawyering indicates a palpable concern that President-elect Donald Trump might actually follow through on his promise to cleanse the federal government of its so-called rogue and corrupt elements.
Mark Paoletta, a Trump transition adviser, has already set the stage by warning DOJ career attorneys that any attempts to thwart Trump’s agenda will earn them a one-way ticket out of their cushy jobs. Potential policies on the chopping block include the robust enforcement of immigration laws, the toughening of border security, the banning of race-based affirmative action, and taking a hard stand against big tech censorship. It appears that even the legacy of January 6 is on its radar, with discussions about pardons for those involved in the Capitol riot igniting further behind-the-scenes trepidation.
Report: Multiple DOJ, FBI Officials Weigh Lawyering Up in Fear of Being ‘Criminally Investigated’https://t.co/5X0jLPo3HI
— Texas99 (@TexasBob53) November 20, 2024
Smaller brained officials from the FBI and DOJ, who are already known for their political leanings, are reportedly suffering severe anxiety as they begin to grapple with the reality of Trump’s administrative overhaul. Some even felt moved to tears upon realizing that their reign of questionable practices could soon come to an end. This emotional response underlines not just fear but also an unmistakable acknowledgment of how the Trump administration plans to tackle what many refer to as a cesspool of government corruption.
The so-called administrative state, a nightmare for conservatives, is often illustrated as an unaccountable labyrinth comprising unelected bureaucrats wielding power to enforce their own rules. This Orwellian construct seeks to subvert the separation of powers so wisely constructed in the Constitution. Trump’s October 2021 executive order aimed at categorizing federal employees into Schedule F was a bold attack on this bureaucratic nightmare. While that order was scraped by President Biden, Trump’s eventual return could reignite efforts to streamline and purge the administrative state of its entrenched technocrats.
History is replete with examples showcasing how federal agencies have become playgrounds for political agendas. A prime example is the infamous letter signed by 51 intelligence officials, claiming that Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation. Ironically, the FBI had the laptop all along, undermining the credibility of the very officials who signed that deceptive document. This incident is just a taste of why so many believe that the administrative state has become a shadow government, operating outside the reaches of the laws it ostensibly should be upholding.
As the countdown to Trump’s return to power ticks away, the anxiety within the swamp is palpable. With an incoming administration likely to take decisive action against unaccountable bureaucrats, it’s little wonder they’re bustling to hire lawyers as fast as they can. After all, when the new boss promises a purge, it’s wise to have one’s legal ducks in a row.
