Podcast Summary: UnJustified – "The Biggest Power Grab Yet"

Release Date: July 6, 2025
Hosts: Alison Gill and Andy McCabe
Title: The Biggest Power Grab Yet

Introduction

In episode 24 of UnJustified, hosts Alison Gill and Andy McCabe delve into the alarming developments within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Donald Trump's administration. The episode, titled "The Biggest Power Grab Yet," examines the erosion of civil liberties and the undermining of the rule of law through a series of controversial actions and policy shifts.

DOJ Reorganization and Budget Increases

Alison Gill opens the discussion by highlighting the recent passage of the Republican budget reconciliation bill, which includes over $1 trillion in cuts to Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) benefits and a substantial increase in the budgets for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to over $145 billion—a figure "billion with a B" (00:01:18).

Andy McCabe:
"The bill explodes the budget for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to over $145,000 billion dollars. That's billion with a B." (00:01:18)

Alison underscores the massive reorganization within multiple agencies, including the DOJ, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A recent FBI directive dedicates one-third of their work to the administration's mass deportation initiative (00:02:02).

Supreme Court and Deportation to Third Countries

The conversation shifts to a pivotal Supreme Court decision concerning the deportation of eight men to South Sudan. The Court clarified that a stay on blocking deportations to third countries encompasses Judge Murphy's remedial order, which granted due process to the detainees in Djibouti (00:02:36).

Alison Gill:
"The Supreme Court clarifies that the stay on blocking deportation to third countries includes Judge Murphy's remedial order granting due process to the eight men stuck in Djibouti on their way to South Sudan. This is unjustified." (00:02:36)

Andy elaborates on the legal battle, noting that the Supreme Court ruled to include Judge Murphy's order without explanation, leading to a habeas corpus claim by one detainee who alleges his removal is punitive and could result in torture or death (00:03:13).

Andy McCabe:
"He said that were to issue a very brief administrative stay... We're not going to have any news until later on, on Friday night, so, you know, we'll be covering it on next week's Episode." (00:06:00)

The plaintiffs argue that deportation to South Sudan violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, especially given South Sudan's ongoing civil conflict and human rights abuses (00:04:24).

TikTok Ban and Expansion of Executive Powers

A significant portion of the episode addresses the DOJ's stance on the TikTok ban. Based on newly disclosed documents, Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed major tech companies like Apple and Google that President Trump possessed the constitutional authority to nullify the TikTok ban, effectively permitting these companies to circumvent the statute (00:14:23).

Charlie Savage, New York Times:
"Attorney General Pam Bondi told tech companies that they could lawfully violate a statute barring American companies from supporting TikTok, based on a sweeping claim that President Trump has the constitutional power to set aside laws." (00:14:23)

Alison draws parallels between this move and Trump's previous legal arguments, suggesting a consistent pattern of asserting unchecked presidential power to override established laws (00:15:46).

Alison Gill:
"You can do whatever you want. And not only are we not going to prosecute you now, which is a prosecutorial discretion sort of thing, you're not illegal under any theory." (00:16:32)

Legal experts like Alan Z. Rosenstein criticize this as a "starkest power grab", highlighting the DOJ's abdication of its constitutional duty to faithfully execute laws, setting a dangerous precedent for presidential overreach (00:18:39).

Alan Z. Rosenstein, University of Minnesota Law Professor:
"It's just breathtaking... it shows just an outright complete and total disregard for [the law]." (00:19:15)

Dismissal of January 6th Prosecutors

The episode further explores the DOJ's troubling actions regarding the prosecution of January 6th rioters. Over half a dozen federal prosecutors who worked on these high-profile cases were abruptly fired by Attorney General Pam Bondi without explanation (00:27:48).

Brian Reilly, NBC News:
"Attorney General Pam Bondi notified the recipient that they were, 'removed from federal service, effective immediately.' No reason for the removal was stated in the letter." (00:27:48)

Alison and Andy discuss the chilling effect these dismissals have had on the DOJ workforce, citing fears among career prosecutors and FBI officials about pursuing cases against Trump allies due to potential targeting by the administration (00:28:40).

Alison Gill:
"No one is safe from this administration's whims and impulses and the public certainly is not served by the continued brain drain of DOJ." (00:30:22)

They reference past instances of obstruction, such as FBI agent Steve Dantuono's refusal to execute a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago out of fear of reprisal, illustrating the deep-rooted issues within the department (00:29:30).

Appointment of Jared L. Wise to the Weaponization Task Force

A particularly alarming revelation involves the appointment of Jared L. Wise, a former FBI agent charged with inciting violence during the Capitol riot, to the DOJ's Weaponization Task Force (00:32:50).

Andy McCabe:
"The appointment of Mr. Wise to the Weaponization Task Force was a remarkable development... responsible for the department's official effort to exact revenge against those who had tried to hold the rioters accountable." (00:33:04)

Wise's background is scrutinized, detailing his involvement with Project Veritas and ties to Richard Seddon and Erik Prince, raising questions about the DOJ's commitment to impartial justice (00:36:26).

Alison Gill:
"His selection meant that a man who had urged violence against police officers was now responsible for the department's official effort to exact revenge..." (00:34:21)

DOJ's Collusion with State Attorneys General

The discussion shifts to the DOJ's collaboration with state attorneys general to swiftly nullify state laws, exemplified by the destruction of the Texas Dream Act within six hours (00:40:18).

Brian Reilly, NBC News:
"Attorney General Pam Bondi notified the recipient that they were... removed from federal service, effective immediately." (00:40:18)

Alison criticizes this as "patently corrupt abuse of the process," suggesting a reprehensible collusion to override state laws without genuine legal contestation (00:43:40).

Alison Gill:
"This is another way... to wipe out laws that are inconvenient to your policy." (00:44:49)

Criminal Charges Against Election Officials

In the final segment, Alison and Andy address the DOJ's exploration of bringing criminal charges against state and local election officials for allegedly failing to safeguard voting systems adequately. This initiative, based on unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and foreign manipulation, threatens the integrity of the election system and federalism (00:45:33).

Alison Gill:
"This is about creating leverage over local election officials... it is a very dark turn." (00:47:07)

They express grave concerns about the DOJ's motives and the potential for unprecedented federal intervention in state-run elections, undermining the constitutional principle that states administer federal elections (00:46:18).

Andy McCabe:
"Federal voting laws place some mandates on how elections are conducted and ballots counted, but that work has historically been managed by the state, the state and local officials. That's in the Constitution." (00:48:55)

Conclusion

Alison Gill and Andy McCabe conclude the episode by reflecting on the dire state of the DOJ under Trump's administration. They emphasize the importance of safeguarding democratic values, human rights, due process, and fairness amidst the administration's aggressive power grabs. The hosts underscore the necessity of vigilance and advocacy to counteract these erosive trends and preserve the foundational principles of the United States.

Alison Gill:
"I believe there's a guarantee cannot be made... even if it were a good faith guarantee." (00:63:55)

Andy McCabe:
"Seriously, it is 4th of July. It's a good time to think about what you love about this country and what's worth keeping and fighting for and standing up for." (00:66:12)

Notable Quotes

• Alison Gill (00:02:02):
  "1/3 of their work is now dedicated to the administration's mass deportation initiative."

• Andy McCabe (00:03:13):
  "Sending people to their death shocks the conscience."

• Alan Z. Rosenstein (00:19:15):
  "It's just breathtaking... it shows just an outright complete and total disregard for it."

• Alison Gill (00:27:48):
  "Pam Bondi notifying the recipient that they were removed from federal service, effective immediately."

• Andy McCabe (00:34:21):
  "We are losing the best among us every day now."

• Alison Gill (00:44:49):
  "This is another way to wipe out laws that are inconvenient to your policy."

• Andy McCabe (00:66:12):
  "Seriously, it is 4th of July. It's a good time to think about what you love about this country and what's worth keeping and fighting for."

Final Thoughts

"The Biggest Power Grab Yet" serves as a compelling exposé on the Trump administration's strategies to consolidate power within the DOJ, undermine legal safeguards, and threaten fundamental democratic processes. Through meticulous analysis and incisive commentary, Alison Gill and Andy McCabe provide listeners with a stark warning about the precarious state of civil liberties and the rule of law in the current political landscape.

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