#1802 Department of Injustice: Revenge Prosecutions, Judges Threatened, and Incompetence All the Way Down

#1802 Department of Injustice: Revenge Prosecutions, Judges Threatened, and Incompetence All the Way Down

Author: Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics June 21, 2026 Duration: 3:02:54

Air Date: 6–20-2026

Today we explore how political revenge became official government policy. The Department of Justice has dropped fraud cases while opening vindictive investigations into Trump's critics. Judges who rule against him face death threats at home with no federal protection and thousands of DOJ lawyers have walked out the door, leaving the agency hollowed out by loyalty tests and bent toward retribution.

Full Show Notes

Transcript

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TOP TAKES

KP 1: Trump Eyes Personal Lawyer to Run DOJ Part 1 - The Beat W Ari Melber - Air Date 6-4-26

KP 2: This Federal Judge Ruled Against Trump. Then the Death Threats Rolled in Part 1 - 60 Minutes - Air Date 3-1-26

KP 3: Judges Call Out Rising Acts of Violence Against the Judiciary, Slam Trump's 'irresponsible Rhetoric' - NBC News - Air Date 6-3-26

KP 4: How Low Can the DOJ Go - Strict Scrutiny - Air Date 4-27-26

KP 5: Fraud on the Court Even as DOJ Drops $1.8B Settlement Fund, Judge Reopens Case Over Collusion Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-3-26

KP 6: 'The Audacity' DOJ Turns to X to Recruit as Prosecutors Flee Trump's Politicization of Department - MS Now - Air Date 2-1-26

KP 7: DOJ in Crisis - Stay Tuned with Preet - Air Date 2-10-26


(00:53:44) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Trump Built a One-Way Ratchet to Tyranny. Here's How We Break It.

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DEEPER DIVES

(01:06:27) SECTION A: A DEPARTMENT OF REVENGE

A1: 'The Department of Revenge' Explores Trump's Use of DOJ to Settle Political Scores - PBS Newshour - Air Date 6-11-26

A2: This Federal Judge Ruled Against Trump. Then the Death Threats Rolled in Part 2 - 60 Minutes - Air Date 3-1-26

A3: Trump Eyes Personal Lawyer to Run DOJ Part 2 - The Beat W Ari Melber - Air Date 6-4-26


(01:25:33) SECTION B: MALICIOUS PROSECUTIONS

B1: Small DoJ Energy - Opening Arguments - Air Date 2-20-26

B2: The Vindictive DOJ Part 1 - Law and Chaos - Air Date 6-4-26

B3: The Malicious Incompetence of Trump's DOJ - Strict Scrutiny - Air Date 6-15-25

B4: The Vindictive DOJ Part 2 - Law and Chaos - Air Date 6-4-26


(02:00:59) SECTION C: WEAPONIZED DEPARTMENT

C1: Zero Intelligence Part 1 - UnJustified - Air Date 6-7-26

C2: Fraud on the Court Even as DOJ Drops $1.8B Settlement Fund, Judge Reopens Case Over Collusion Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-3-26

C3: 35 Judges Say Trump's DOJ Committed Fraud on the Court - Opening Arguments - Air Date 6-5-26

C4: Trump Rewards Criminals with Latest Pardons - The Mary Trump Podcast - Air Date 11-11-25

C5: ICYMI Trump Pardons Top Jan. 6 Conspirators - 1A - Air Date 11-11-25

C6: Zero Intelligence Part 2 - UnJustified - Air Date 6-7-26


(02:44:07) SECTION D: HOLLOWED OUT

D1: More Frustrated Prosecutors at the U.S Attorney's Office in Minnesota Call It Quits - All Things Considered - Air Date 2-5-26

D2: 2900 DOJ Lawyers SUDDENLY QUIT on Trump IN MASS EXODUS - MeidasTouch - Air Date 12-25-25


 

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For over fifteen years, Best of the Left-Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy has served as a vital, human-curated digest of voices from across the progressive spectrum. Instead of presenting a single opinion, each episode is built around a specific theme-from economic inequality to climate policy to cultural shifts-and weaves together insightful commentary from a diverse array of journalists, activists, and thinkers. This approach allows you to efficiently grasp the nuances of complex issues by hearing multiple expert angles in one sitting, all while discovering new commentators and sources you might not have encountered otherwise. The result is a richly layered analysis that algorithms simply cannot replicate, offering depth and context often missing from the daily news cycle. Since 2006, this award-winning podcast has cut through the noise, drawing from hundreds of independent and established sources to provide a coherent, thoughtful examination of the forces shaping our society and governments. Tuning in means joining a long-running conversation dedicated to understanding and advancing democratic principles, social justice, and a more equitable economy, all through the focused lens of leftist thought.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
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