On September 5th, President Trump sparked unease among military personnel, but perhaps it was a necessary move. It reflects the current state of affairs under his leadership.
No matter what crime statistics indicate, Trump doesn’t trust local law enforcement if he believes crime is escalating in a city. Instead, he opts to deploy troops or issue threats, targeting places like Washington, Chicago, and Portland. If there’s even a suspicion of a vessel from Venezuela being linked to drug activity, he doesn’t wait for the Coast Guard; he orders it destroyed and commands the military to eliminate those aboard.
In a bid to clarify his approach, Trump and the Defense Secretary called on Pete Hegseth to gather numerous military leaders at Quantico Marine Base this week. The aim was to emphasize the necessity of adopting a “Warrior Mode” mentality among military ranks.
In light of this, it feels appropriate to reconsider the name of the Pentagon. Perhaps it should be called the War Bureau instead of the Department of Defense.
And it’s not just the military that shows signs of needing a makeover. The Department of Justice could also use a fresh identity.
Not too long ago, the Justice Department was regarded by both political parties as an agency operating above political entanglements. Its leadership came from the Attorney General, who was expected to enforce laws free from political interference.
Take, for instance, Republican Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus, who stood as national figures when they resisted President Nixon’s orders to dismiss Special Counsel Archibald Cox in 1973. More recently, in 2018, Republican Attorney General Jeff Sessions was hailed for resigning rather than complying with Trump’s directive regarding the Russian investigation.
In both historical moments, these Republican officials affirmed that the Justice Department’s purpose wasn’t to serve a president’s political agenda but rather to uphold the law and the Constitution. However, that’s not how things appear now. Trump perceives the Justice Department as his personal enforcement arm, targeting his political rivals, with Attorney General Pam Bondi eager to assist.
A notable case involves the accusation against Trump’s former FBI director, James Comey, accused of lying to Congress years ago. White House personnel attempted to frame this as a non-political issue. But, notably, Trump himself has publicly acknowledged that it is indeed about political vengeance.
For years, he has threatened prosecution against Comey. Recently on Truth Social, he expressed his frustration about not pursuing legal action himself, instead demanding New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff take action against Comey and other perceived adversaries, claiming they acted immorally but would escape accountability.
When Trump’s chosen U.S. attorney, Eric Siebert, concluded there wasn’t enough evidence for a case against Comey, Trump dismissed him and selected Lindsay Hurrigan, a private attorney with little prosecutorial experience. On her first day, she pursued the Comey case in federal court.
The following day, Trump congratulated Comey on the charges, labeling him a “liar” and a “dirty cop,” while also hinting at further actions against additional adversaries such as former national security adviser John Bolton and various others who have drawn his ire.
In essence, this illustrates the full “weaponization” of the Justice Department. What Trump once criticized is now embraced with enthusiasm. The Department of Justice has shifted away from its foundational goal of upholding the Constitution to seeking retribution against political opponents.
So, perhaps it’s time to officially rename the Department of Justice to reflect its current mission: the “Revenge Department.”
