Washington, D.C. — October 11, 2025
Political tensions in Washington have intensified as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer launched a sharp accusation against former President Donald Trump, alleging that he is weaponizing the Department of Justice to target his political opponents.
The comments came after the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James, a long-time Trump critic who previously led a civil fraud case against him. Schumer described the indictment as “a blatant act of revenge” and warned that the Justice Department under Trump is being used as a “personal attack dog.”
“This is what tyranny looks like,” Schumer said during a Capitol Hill briefing. “President Trump is targeting Attorney General James for the ‘crime’ of prosecuting him for fraud and winning. This isn’t justice; it’s political retribution.”
The Justice Department announced charges against Letitia James earlier this week, accusing her of bank fraud and making false statements related to a real estate transaction in Virginia. The case is being handled by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a Trump appointee with limited federal prosecutorial background, raising questions about the motives behind the case.
Democrats across the country have rallied to James’s defense, claiming the indictment is politically motivated. Civil rights groups and legal experts also argue that the move represents an unprecedented abuse of federal power.
Meanwhile, Republicans have defended the Justice Department’s actions, insisting that no individual should be above the law not even those in power. Attorney General Pam Bondi denied claims of political interference, stating that the DOJ “follows the evidence wherever it leads” and that the charges are based on “credible evidence of wrongdoing.”
However, the controversy extends beyond Letitia James. Several critics point to a growing pattern of what they call selective prosecutions against Trump’s political rivals. Former FBI Director James Comey, another longtime adversary of Trump, also faces criminal proceedings that his legal team says are “vindictive and retaliatory.”
The establishment of the Weaponization Working Group within the Justice Department has further fueled criticism. Although its official purpose is to review politically motivated prosecutions, opponents argue it has become a mechanism to punish Trump’s critics rather than ensure justice.
Adding to the growing unease, nearly 40 former Republican officials have issued a public statement condemning Trump for what they describe as “blatant abuses of power and manipulation of the Justice Department.”
Legal experts warn that the allegations strike at the heart of American democracy, raising fears that political influence over law enforcement could erode public trust in the justice system.
As the political and legal battles escalate, Schumer and Democratic leaders have vowed to push for congressional oversight to investigate the Justice Department’s recent actions. For now, the controversy underscores a deepening divide over how justice is being administered and whether it is still independent in a politically charged Washington.
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