The New York Times published a 5,000-word article asserting that Donald Trump is a unique threat to democracy because a second term Trump Department of Justice could potentially prosecute members of the Democrat Party.
Authors Emily Bazelon and Mattathias Schwartz make this argument not only after a first Trump term with zero political prosecutions by Trump appointees but after a shocking and unprecedented nationwide lawfare campaign by Democrats against Trump and other Republicans.
The Times headline is “Why Legal Experts Are Worried About a Second Trump Presidency.” The subhed added, “In a survey of 50 members of the D.C. legal establishment, many warn that Trump could follow through on his threats to prosecute his political adversaries.” The term “gaslighting” has gained popularity in recent years, a reference to the 1944 movie “Gaslight” about a husband who manipulates his wife into thinking she is insane. Even in a sea of media manipulation, there is perhaps no better example of gaslighting than this piece.
The article begins with an unsubstantiated claim that Trump seeks to engage in political prosecutions. The only quote offered in support of this claim is Trump saying people who violate federal election laws will be prosecuted and sentenced. They inaccurately characterize this as “Donald Trump could not be clearer about his plans to use the Justice Department to seek revenge against his enemies.”
