November 16, 2025

I don’t care how many times I need to write this: Donald Trump is using a corrupt Justice Department to target his political opponents and critics. Some of these men and women you may like; others you may loathe. Either way, they are victims — each and every one.

And I will say their names.

I will say their names to ensure this does not pass without condemnation. I will not let it become normal without a fight. I refuse to let the passage of time obscure what they are being put through simply for opposing or displeasing Trump.

I will say their names because the legacy media has stopped doing so. Because large corporations have bowed down and cannot be trusted to protect the victims. Because the largest law firms have turned into willing collaborators with Trump’s regime and will not protect those who most deserve it.

These are their names:

James Comey did not commit a crime. Nor did Attorney General Letitia James. They are both victims of Donald Trump’s abuse of the Justice Department.

They are not the only ones. Rep. LaMonica McIver and John Bolton have been indicted because of their opposition to Trump and his administration.

John Brennan, Christopher Krebs, Sen. Adam Schiff, Jack Smith, Rep. Eric Swalwell and Miles Taylor are among the others Trump or his cronies have suggested should be criminally investigated or charged — all for the “crime” of being prominent critics of Trump.

Now, to distract from the fallout of the most recent release of Jeffrey Epstein emails, Trump has added other names: Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman and Larry Summers. He has ordered the DOJ and FBI to investigate them. The only common denominator among them is that they are all Democrats.

Every single one of those named above — and many more — is a victim of the largest abuse of the criminal justice system in our nation’s history. They are being targeted in ways we recognize from other countries, but too few are willing to admit that it is happening here. The Trump regime is intent on using the immense power of the state to intimidate and punish its opponents and critics.

And let me be very clear: this is not a theoretical concern or a distant warning. It is happening now, in real time, in front of all of us. Each indictment, each leaked accusation, each orchestrated investigation is part of a deliberate campaign to make Americans question their own instincts about justice and fairness.

The goal is to create confusion, exhaustion and resignation — to normalize political retribution as a natural part of our government.

I have written repeatedly about the need to stand up against this threat to democracy. I have urged people to reject the charges without giving credence to statements made by a corrupt DOJ. I have begged everyone to support the victims of these abuses, regardless of whether you agree with them on other issues.

I have had mixed success. Too many still credit allegations in indictments if made by “career” prosecutors. Too few are willing to accept that any prosecutor working on one of these cases has compromised themselves and no longer deserves our trust or the benefit of the doubt.

We are only 10 months into Trump’s second term, and there are already so many who have been targeted. Reports suggest a massive investigation is being set up before a Florida federal grand jury to go after Trump’s opponents in a courthouse he believes favors him. If so, it could dramatically increase the number of victims.

I started Democracy Docket in 2020 to expose what is happening to democracy in the courts. That has always meant covering voting and elections, and Republican efforts to undermine free and fair elections. More recently, it has also required reporting on what is happening in court to hold the Trump administration accountable to the Constitution and the rule of law.

But, for me, it is also a vital platform to bear witness to these abuses and to support the victims. That is why I wrote this piece for a Sunday. It is why I will have to write it again soon and — if necessary — again after that.

I will say the names of the victims without criticizing them or excusing the administration’s action. I hope all of you will hear  my warning.