President Trump delivered a fiery speech at the Department of Justice, criticizing former officials and lawyers for turning the department into a symbol of “injustice.” While the address was meant to focus on law and order, Trump spent the majority of his time targeting individuals he labeled as “hacks and radicals” within the government. He accused them of abusing their power to undermine the will of the American people, specifically calling out figures like Merrick Garland, Marc Elias, and Mark Pomerantz.

Amidst ongoing controversies, including federal charges against him post-presidency, Trump’s speech reflected his administration’s efforts to reshape the Justice Department. This included the demotion of attorneys involved in cases related to the January 6 Capitol attack and the dismissal of officials who investigated him personally. Trump emphasized a shift towards fair and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law, aiming to move past what he described as years of corruption and violence.

Breaking from the traditional hands-off approach to the DOJ, Trump’s direct involvement and criticism of the department highlighted his unique relationship with law enforcement. He boasted about revoking security clearances from those he viewed as disloyal and indicated his intention to use the DOJ to pursue individuals he perceived as enemies. Additionally, Trump announced plans to reintroduce the 1033 program for law enforcement and launch an anti-fentanyl advertising campaign to combat drug use.