Trump’s DOJ Finds Yet Another Basement
Summary
Host Dahlia Lithwick and guest Andrew Weissman analyze the DOJ's raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar's home and the potential effort to denaturalize her, arguing it demonstrates the department's loss of independence and selective prosecution. They also critique the administration's baseless claims regarding non-citizen voting and the corruption surrounding the White House ballroom project. Weissman highlights that while federal courts struggle to stop these actions, state laws and congressional funding controls remain vital tools for accountability ahead of the midterms.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Andrew Weissman
Context for the DOJ raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar
Analysis of the search warrant and probable cause
Selective prosecution and the 60-day rule violation
DOJ independence and post-Watergate norms
Taint teams and privilege protections in searches
Congressional power of the purse and accountability
Historical revisionism regarding Watergate and Nixon
The threat of denaturalization and authoritarian creep
Legal hurdles and defenses against denaturalization
Impact on naturalized citizens and conditional residency
DOJ lawsuit against California election officials
Strategy of acting before courts can intervene
Narrative over truth and chilling effects on media
Ballroom donors and pay-to-play corruption
Procurement rules and legal risks for donors
Pardons and state law as a check on power
Closing remarks and Slate Plus promotion
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