When Justice Becomes a Weapon: DOJ, Politics, and the Constitution

Host William Cooper, co-host Ed Larson, and guest Laurie Levinson discuss how the Department of Justice can be politicized and used as a tool against rivals, whether the Constitution provides sufficient checks, and the practical impacts of presidential immunity, jury roles, and institutional norms. The conversation traces historical examples, explores tensions between democratic legitimacy and prosecutorial independence, and considers gaps in constitutional guardrails that shape modern governance and accountability.