DOJ Officials Decry 'Vindictive' Case, Not 'Vindictive' Policies
More than 100 former Justice Department officials and 'scholars of authoritarianism' are sounding the alarm over a “vindictive” case against former FBI Director James Comey, calling for its dismissal. The Independent reports this mass outrage stems from fears of an 'autocratic leader abusing the justice system to consolidate power.' One might indeed wonder about abuse of power, but perhaps not in
the direction these officials intend. These are the same Justice Department structures that, under various administrations, relentlessly pursued Julian Assange for exposing war crimes, surveilled countless American citizens under Patriot Act expansions, or, for instance, chose not to prosecute bank executives after the 2008 financial crisis—despite overwhelming evidence of fraud. Funny how
'vindictive abuse' only triggers bipartisan alarm bells for those *within* the establishment, never *against* it. A clear example of 'authoritarianism' is apparently only when it impacts their own, not when it enables perpetual war or economic plunder. How many 'authoritarian abuses' did those 100+ officials sign off on throughout their careers?