Donald Trump’s proposed vision for the Justice Department, if he secures a second term in office, is making waves in political circles and sparking heated discussions. His objectives are clear: transform the Justice Department, eliminate what he sees as entrenched “deep state” influences, and establish a team of officials loyal to principles of fairness and accountability. Trump argues that under Democratic leadership, the Justice Department has been weaponized against conservatives, and his goal is to restore it to what he sees as its rightful role—delivering unbiased justice, free of political influence. While critics are alarmed by these proposed sweeping changes, Trump asserts that such steps are essential to rectify an agency that he believes has been misused for partisan gains by the Democrats and long-standing career officials.
Why Trump Wants to Remake the Justice Department
Trump’s turbulent relationship with the Justice Department during his first term is the primary motivator behind his desire to overhaul the agency. He has frequently expressed his view that the Justice Department has treated him and his allies unfairly, going so far as to call it corrupt. “OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND DISCREDITED, especially as it pertains to the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Trump declared, underscoring his deep frustrations.
Trump’s sense of persecution stems from investigations that he believes were politically driven. From the Russia investigation to probes into his handling of classified documents and his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot, Trump argues that the Justice Department has targeted him relentlessly. According to him, these investigations were orchestrated by his political enemies to weaken his presidency and prevent his return to power. He has accused both the Biden administration and career officials within the Justice Department of being “obsessed with ‘Getting Trump’ for so long,” reflecting his belief that the agency has been turned into a political weapon against conservatives.
This perception of being unfairly targeted has shaped Trump’s focus on altering the very foundation of the Justice Department. He aims to dismantle what he describes as “deep state” influence—career employees who have served under multiple administrations and whom he believes are biased against him. Instead, Trump wants loyalists in key positions—individuals who will support his agenda and share his worldview.
The Search for Loyalty: A New Attorney General
A significant part of Trump’s plan is appointing an attorney general who will be unwaveringly loyal to him—unlike those he chose during his first term. Trump has openly regretted his choices of Jeff Sessions and William Barr. Sessions’ recusal from the Russia investigation infuriated Trump, while Barr’s refusal to endorse Trump’s claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election led to feelings of betrayal. To avoid a repeat of these perceived disloyalties, Trump is committed to selecting someone whose views align closely with his own and who will use the Justice Department to protect his allies and target his opponents.
Among those reportedly under consideration for the role are former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, as well as Senators Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Mike Lee of Utah. Trump has also mentioned Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton as a potential candidate. These individuals share a belief in a broad view of presidential power—one that would allow Trump to influence the Justice Department directly. As a senior official close to the discussions put it, “Trump wants a loyalist.”
Trump’s pursuit of loyalty extends beyond just the attorney general. His vision includes replacing many career employees within the Justice Department with individuals who will not obstruct his agenda. A plan known as “Schedule F” could allow Trump to strip thousands of entrenched civil-service workers of their protections, enabling him to replace them with political appointees. His allies argue that this would help remove obstacles within the agency that might resist his directives, making the Justice Department more responsive to the elected administration.
Retaliation as Policy: What the Changes Could Mean
Trump has made no secret of his willingness to use the Justice Department to go after his perceived enemies. He has proposed ending the special counsel system—meant to provide independence in politically sensitive investigations—so that his appointees would have direct control over high-profile cases. This would remove a key safeguard against political interference, but Trump argues that it has been misused by the Democrats. Instead, he has indicated plans to appoint his own special prosecutor to investigate figures like President Joe Biden and his family, emphasizing his intent to wield the Justice Department as a political tool.
Vice President Kamala Harris has warned of what a Trump return could mean, saying, “Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.” Critics worry that recent Supreme Court rulings, which grant former presidents broad immunity for actions taken while in office, could embolden Trump even further. Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb, who has since become a critic, also noted, “It’s certainly his character to seek vengeance.”
Despite these warnings, Trump argues that he exercised restraint during his first term. He chose not to prosecute Hillary Clinton for her alleged wrongdoings, preferring instead to move past the contentious 2016 election. Trump and his supporters argue that Democrats, in contrast, have used every opportunity to launch baseless investigations, weaponizing the justice system to prevent him from running in 2024. According to Trump, his plans to reform the Justice Department are about rebalancing power and removing what he sees as partisan manipulation.
Overhauling the FBI: Bringing It Under Direct Control
Another key part of Trump’s plan for the Justice Department involves restructuring the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Currently, the FBI operates with a level of independence to avoid political influence in its investigations. However, Trump believes that this independence has led to the FBI acting against him, particularly during its investigations into his campaign’s connections to Russia and the search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump’s proposed changes include altering the chain of command at the Justice Department so that the FBI director would report to politically appointed assistant attorneys general rather than the deputy attorney general. This would bring the FBI closer to the political influence of the White House, ensuring that its priorities align more directly with those of the president. Trump’s allies believe this change is necessary to prevent the FBI from acting independently in ways that they see as counter to the president’s directives. Critics, however, argue that this undermines the agency’s ability to conduct impartial investigations.
Additionally, Trump aims to reduce the power of the FBI’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., while strengthening the resources available to field agents. His allies have even floated the idea of reviewing all current FBI investigations and ending those they deem politically motivated. This would grant Trump and his appointees unprecedented control over which cases proceed and which are dropped.
Policy Shifts: Culture Wars and Crime Crackdowns
Beyond restructuring the Justice Department, Trump wants to shift its focus to align with his conservative views. This includes taking a harder line on cultural issues, such as prioritizing religious rights over LGBTQ protections and challenging progressive ideas on college campuses. The Justice Department could potentially be used to take action against universities that promote diversity and inclusion policies, which Trump believes undermine traditional values.
Trump also intends to take on progressive local prosecutors who have adopted more lenient approaches to nonviolent crimes, such as treatment instead of incarceration for drug offenses. He has pledged to have federal prosecutors take a more aggressive stance, even if it means overriding local decisions. His goal is to end what he calls the “soft-on-crime” policies of some district attorneys and to crack down on violent crime with harsher measures.
In addition, Trump plans to halt broad civil rights investigations into local police departments—a central feature of the Biden administration’s Justice Department. Trump views these federal probes as an overreach that weakens local law enforcement. Instead, his administration would endorse tougher police tactics and roll back federal oversight. Critics argue that this could leave vulnerable communities without adequate protection against police misconduct, while supporters see it as necessary to empower law enforcement to maintain public safety.
A Different Justice Department?
Critics argue that Trump’s proposed changes would dismantle the checks and balances that are fundamental to American democracy. By placing loyalists in key positions and eliminating career officials who might resist his agenda, Trump could gain nearly unchecked control over the nation’s top law enforcement body. This could lead to a justice system where political motivations determine who is prosecuted, undermining public trust in an institution that is meant to serve all citizens equally, regardless of political affiliation.
However, many argue that the Justice Department is already broken. The current Department of Justice has been criticized for being biased against conservatives, with some claiming that it has been weaponized by “deep state” actors against political foes. Some January 6 protesters remain in custody without recourse, and Trump’s associates continue to face charges that his supporters argue are politically motivated.
The vast number of charges against Trump, viewed by many as baseless, highlights what they see as a broken and biased DOJ. Such actions, critics argue, resemble the tactics used in authoritarian regimes, not the behavior of a free and fair democracy. Trump’s supporters see his plans as necessary to restore balance and fairness, removing power from an unaccountable bureaucracy and returning it to elected officials.
Elections have consequences, and Trump’s vision for the Justice Department is a clear statement of what he believes must be done to correct what he sees as years of misuse and political bias. Whether one sees his plans as a necessary reform or a dangerous overreach, there is no doubt that they represent a radical departure from the status quo—a Justice Department reshaped in Trump’s image.
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Trump’s Vision for Justice: Overhaul, Loyalty, and a New Direction
Donald Trump’s ambitious plans for the Justice Department, should he secure a second term, have stirred considerable debate. His goals are clear: to overhaul the Justice Department, dismantle what he views as entrenched “deep state” interests, and assemble a team dedicated to loyalty, fairness, and accountability. Trump believes that under Democratic leadership, the Justice Department has been weaponized against conservatives, and his vision is to restore impartiality and rid the agency of political bias. Critics worry about the sweeping nature of these reforms, but Trump argues they are necessary to rectify a department that he claims has been manipulated for partisan purposes.
Trump’s Motivation: Rebuilding the Justice Department
Donald Trump’s contentious relationship with the Justice Department during his first term has been a driving factor behind his desire to transform it. He has repeatedly argued that the Justice Department has treated him and his allies unjustly, labeling it corrupt. “OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND DISCREDITED, especially as it pertains to the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Trump declared, expressing his frustrations.
From the Russia investigation to inquiries into his handling of classified materials and his actions on January 6th, Trump feels he has been the target of politically motivated probes. According to him, these investigations were orchestrated by his opponents in an effort to weaken his presidency and obstruct his potential return to office. He has accused both the Biden administration and career officials within the Justice Department of being “obsessed with ‘Getting Trump’ for so long,” suggesting that the agency has been used as a political weapon against conservatives.
This belief in being persecuted is the root of Trump’s desire to reform the Justice Department. He wants to strip it of what he sees as “deep state” influence—career employees who have remained through multiple administrations and whom he believes are biased against him. In their place, Trump aims to appoint individuals loyal to him and his vision for the country.
Pursuit of Loyalty: A New Attorney General
A key part of Trump’s vision for the Justice Department involves selecting an attorney general who will be fiercely loyal, in stark contrast to those he appointed during his first term. Trump has expressed regret over his previous picks, Jeff Sessions and William Barr. Sessions, as attorney general, recused himself from the Russia investigation, angering Trump, while Barr refused to back Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020, leaving Trump feeling betrayed. To avoid a repeat of these perceived missteps, Trump now intends to appoint someone who shares his ideology and will utilize the Justice Department to defend allies and challenge adversaries.
Several individuals are reportedly being considered for the role, including John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence under Trump, as well as Senators Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Mike Lee of Utah. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton has also been mentioned. The common thread between these candidates is their belief in an expansive view of presidential power that would allow Trump to exert direct influence over the Justice Department. A senior official close to the discussions described it plainly: “Trump wants a loyalist.”
Trump’s quest for loyalty extends beyond just the top position. His plan involves replacing many of the Justice Department’s career employees with those who will align with his agenda. One idea, dubbed “Schedule F,” would allow Trump to remove thousands of entrenched civil servants and replace them with political appointees. Proponents argue that this would eliminate resistance within the agency, making it more responsive to the elected administration’s directives.
Retaliatory Agenda: The Implications of Proposed Changes
Trump has not hidden his willingness to use the Justice Department to retaliate against his perceived enemies. He wants to end the special counsel system, which was designed to ensure independence in politically sensitive investigations, so that his appointed officials can directly manage such cases. This would effectively remove a key safeguard meant to protect investigations from political interference. Instead, Trump has floated the idea of appointing a special prosecutor to investigate figures like President Joe Biden and his family, emphasizing his intent to use the Justice Department for political advantage.
Vice President Kamala Harris has voiced concern over what Trump’s return could mean, cautioning, “Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.” Critics worry that, especially with recent Supreme Court rulings granting former presidents broad immunity for actions taken while in office, Trump would push the limits even further. Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb, who has since become a critic, also warned, “It’s certainly his character to seek vengeance.”
Despite these fears, Trump claims he demonstrated restraint during his first term. He chose not to prosecute Hillary Clinton, despite campaign promises to do so, and sought instead to move forward. His supporters argue that it is the Democrats who have continuously weaponized the justice system against him, attempting to prevent him from running again in 2024 by initiating investigations they view as politically motivated. Trump’s backers see his plans as an attempt to finally take control of an institution they believe has long been biased against conservatives.
Restructuring the FBI: Control and Accountability
Another major aspect of Trump’s vision involves restructuring the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Currently, the FBI operates with a degree of independence from political influence, but Trump has frequently criticized the agency, particularly after its investigations into his campaign’s alleged connections to Russia and the handling of classified documents. Trump argues that the FBI’s independence has allowed it to act against him unfairly.
Trump’s proposal includes changing the chain of command so that the FBI director would report to politically appointed assistant attorneys general rather than the deputy attorney general. This would effectively place the FBI closer to the president’s direct influence, ensuring that its priorities align more closely with White House directives. Trump’s allies argue that this is necessary to prevent the FBI from operating independently against the administration’s interests, while critics worry that this would undermine the agency’s impartiality.
Trump also wants to diminish the power of the FBI’s Washington, D.C., headquarters while boosting support for field agents. Some of his allies have even suggested reviewing all ongoing FBI investigations and ending those they deem politically motivated. This would give Trump and his appointees unprecedented authority to decide which cases are pursued and which are dismissed.
Policy Reorientation: Social Issues and Crime
In addition to restructuring, Trump plans to shift the Justice Department’s focus to align more closely with his conservative beliefs. He wants the agency to take a stronger stance on cultural issues, such as defending religious and parental rights over LGBTQ protections and challenging progressive ideologies on college campuses. The Justice Department could also be used to target universities that promote diversity and inclusion programs, which Trump and his supporters view as antithetical to traditional values.
Trump also plans to target progressive local prosecutors who have adopted lenient policies for nonviolent crimes, such as offering alternatives to incarceration for drug offenses. Federal prosecutors, under Trump’s direction, would take a more aggressive approach, even overriding local decisions. Trump has promised to put an end to the “soft-on-crime” approach embraced by some district attorneys, seeking instead to crack down on crime with tougher enforcement tactics.
Moreover, Trump wants to end broad civil rights investigations into local police departments, which were a central feature of the Biden administration’s Justice Department. Trump sees these federal probes as unnecessary interference that undermines local law enforcement. His plan would instead promote stronger police tactics and reduce federal oversight. Critics argue that this could leave many marginalized communities without recourse against police misconduct, while supporters believe it will empower law enforcement to be more effective in combating crime.
A New Justice Department?
Critics argue that Trump’s plans would undermine essential checks and balances that are crucial to a functioning democracy. By placing loyalists in key roles and eliminating career officials who might resist, Trump could gain near-total control over the nation’s top law enforcement agency. This could lead to a justice system driven by political motives, eroding public trust in an institution meant to uphold the law for all citizens equally, regardless of political affiliation.
However, many of Trump’s supporters argue that the Justice Department is already broken. They see it as heavily biased against conservatives, influenced by “deep state” actors who remain unaccountable to elected officials. Some January 6 protesters remain imprisoned without proper recourse, and Trump’s associates have faced numerous charges that his supporters view as politically driven.
The sheer number of investigations targeting Trump, which they argue lack a solid basis, underscores the need for reform. To his supporters, Trump’s proposals are not about gaining power but about restoring balance and ensuring that the Justice Department functions impartially, serving the people rather than a political agenda. They argue that political retribution should no longer be wielded by unelected bureaucrats against elected officials or their supporters.
Ultimately, Trump’s vision for the Justice Department reflects a radical departure from the status quo—a reimagined agency that aligns more closely with his vision for law and order. His proposed changes are not just about reshaping the department’s structure but also about redefining its role in American governance. Whether seen as a necessary correction or a dangerous overreach, Trump’s vision highlights a deep desire to reshape the way justice is administered in the United States.
