The Rise, Fall, and Possible Rebirth of a DOJ Crown Jewel

After an ICE agent shot Renee Good, observers looked to the elite squad of federal prosecutors tasked with investigating such shootings: the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The Division did nothing. It marked a sad chapter for an institution that, as historian Kevin M. Kruse explains, spent decades fighting for justice against long odds. Together, Kruse and Harry discuss the Division’s proud past, its perversion under Trump, and—zooming out—Trump’s attack on American history itself. Kruse's forthcoming book bears this working title: The Division: John Doar, the Justice Department, and the Civil Rights Movement. Mentioned in this episode:Kruse's newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices