The Department of Justice (DOJ) has long been seen as a pillar of law and order, yet recent years have exposed how it has been wielded as a political weapon. The prosecutions of Trump allies such as Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, and Peter Navarro raise serious questions about selective justice and political lawfare. Under the Biden administration, the DOJ appeared more focused on targeting Trump’s inner circle than applying the law impartially. Now, under President Trump’s second term, his administration is bringing transparency to these politically motivated actions while unraveling a justice system that had been tilted against conservatives.
A Pattern of Prosecutions: The Targeting of Trump Allies
The Biden-era DOJ aggressively pursued criminal charges against multiple high-profile Trump supporters:
- Steve Bannon: Convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with the January 6 Committee’s subpoena, despite similar refusals from Democrats in past hearings going unpunished.
- Roger Stone: A longtime Trump advisor, subjected to a dramatic pre-dawn FBI raid in 2019 and convicted of lying to Congress—an offense frequently overlooked in Washington.
- Peter Navarro: A former Trump economic advisor, sentenced to prison for defying a congressional subpoena, while Biden officials facing similar allegations were never charged.
These cases illustrate how political enemies were prosecuted while allies of the Biden administration remained untouched.
Liz Cheney’s Pardon: Protecting the Prosecutors
In the final hours of his presidency, Biden issued preemptive pardons to several key figures, including Liz Cheney, a leading member of the January 6 Committee, as well as figures like Anthony Fauci and General Mark Milley. The pardon of Cheney in particular raises questions about whether she and others involved in the January 6 probe feared legal consequences under a Trump Justice Department. The move has been criticized by Trump allies as an attempt to shield key actors from accountability.
President Trump called the last-minute pardons “disgraceful,” arguing that they were designed to prevent investigations into abuse of power during Biden’s presidency.
Biden’s DOJ vs. Trump’s DOJ: A Stark Contrast
Under Biden, the DOJ aggressively pursued Trump and his allies while giving leniency to those aligned with Democratic interests. In contrast, Trump’s newly appointed Attorney General, Pamela Bondi, has signaled a commitment to transparency and accountability. She has already ordered a full review of politically motivated prosecutions and demanded the declassification of key documents, including those related to Jeffrey Epstein and the January 6 investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel has vowed to expose any efforts by prior DOJ officials to cover up misconduct, stating: “There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned.”
The Road Ahead: Restoring Trust in the DOJ
The politicization of the legal system has eroded public trust in the DOJ. Trump’s administration now faces the challenge of undoing the damage, ensuring that justice is applied equally, and exposing those who used the department for political gain. With the release of declassified files and an investigation into past abuses, the Trump administration is working to restore faith in the rule of law.
One thing is clear: the legal battles of the past few years have set a precedent that cannot be ignored. Whether the DOJ can truly be reformed remains to be seen, but under President Trump’s leadership, the era of political prosecutions may finally be coming to an end.
