The Collapse of America’s Most Consequential Institution
Without a functional Department of Justice, no one can ensure that Americans will be treated equally under the law.
The Department of Justice, established in 1870, was initially meant to uphold the promises of the Reconstruction Amendments that abolished slavery and ensured equal protection under the law. However, over time, the DOJ has alternately been a force for enforcing justice and a tool for those seeking to suppress others. Its power extends beyond that of the U.S. military, making it a crucial institution for safeguarding American democracy.
The DOJ's role has evolved to shape everything from post-Civil War peace to the allocation of citizenship rights based on race. Despite occasional noble efforts, the DOJ has also been plagued by fecklessness and corruption. In the recent era under Donald Trump, the DOJ has entered a new phase, largely ineffectual and, at times, complicit in authoritarian overreach.
Filled with supporters of Trump, the DOJ has become a shadow of its former self, unable to protect citizens from political abuses.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
