Welcome back to The Red Letter.
The E. Jean Carroll case is often framed as a fight between a president and an accuser.
But the larger question may be far more consequential.
As Donald Trump continues his legal battle over the Carroll verdicts, his lawyers have advanced arguments that would place the federal government—and by extension American taxpayers—between Trump and personal liability.
Critics argue that this reflects a broader pattern: using the machinery of government to settle personal scores, protect political allies, and wage vendettas against opponents. Supporters see it as a legitimate defense against politically motivated attacks.
I sat down with legal analyst Michael Popok to discuss where the line is, whether the Justice Department is being transformed into a president’s personal law firm, and what happens to public faith in the courts when Americans begin to believe that justice depends on who holds power.
Because once citizens lose confidence that the rules apply equally, the consequences reach far beyond Donald Trump—or E. Jean Carroll.
Thank you Abi Baker, John H, It’s Time 🇺🇦, Kevin Powers, Patty Menke, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
