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Checks and Balances
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Checks and Balances
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Response Center

Real-time analysis of Trump-Vance administration actions, to support legal challenges and provide resources for the pro-democracy community.

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The Trump-Vance Administration is trying to

Target law enforcement and the Intelligence Community for supposedly political actions

Let others know:

https://democracy2025.org/response-center/M82L68

What we know

Senior Trump appointees are directed to review civil and criminal law enforcement and intelligence actions believed to be against the Trump administration and its supporters.

Formal Name

Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government

Status
Underway
Formal Identifier

January 20, 2025

Anticipated Impact

The Attorney General (AG) and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) are directed to review all investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement actions, and other related actions taken during the Biden administration, and provide recommendations for "remedial actions" for conduct the AG and DNI believe constitute "weaponization" of the federal government. As one example, the EO states that the "Department of Justice has ruthlessly prosecuted more than 1,500 individuals associated with January 6, and simultaneously dropped nearly all cases against BLM rioters" but this review will cover any action perceived to be contrary to the views and policies of the Trump administration and its supporters. This review could undo actions to break up monopolies that hurt consumers, prosecutions of insider trading laws, and prosecutions for police misconduct and discrimination in housing, education, and the workplace, among many other areas. Federal prosecutors, investigators, and intelligence officers, as well as any federal employee who cooperated with the House investigation of the January 6 insurrection, could be demoted, fired, and/or prosecuted for their actions. The final report's recommendations are to be given directly to the White House, breaking long-standing traditions of separating law enforcement decisions from political interference.

By the Numbers

Partner Analysis

People are fighting back

How communities are responding

Democracy 2025 and our partners are ready to counter threats to people's rights, justice, and equality in courtrooms and communities across the country. Learn more about how people and communities are responding to this harmful policy:

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Help us counter unlawful, anti-democratic actions from the Trump-Vance administration and protect people, freedom, and justice.

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