Ep. 150 Why can't the US justice system hold the powerful to account?
In this episode Jason is joined this by Elie Honig, senior legal analyst for CNN, to discuss the US justice system and required reform.
In institutional design, the US justice system is more independent than its European counterparts. Even though the US President selects his Attorney General, a corrupt President can be dealt with not only via impeachment, but in Principal through independent special counsels pursing justice while avoiding potential conflicts of interest. And yet… from Hillary’s emails to Trump’s possible collusion with Russia and promotion of an insurrection, the Special Prosecutor system hasn't worked as it should. And now despite all those checks and balances, we have a weaponized justice, with a more political DOJ under Pam Bondi being used to pursue revenge against Trump’s enemies.
This week's guest is Elie Honig, senior legal analyst for CNN and author of When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ's Pursuit of the President, from Nixon to Trump.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with the New Books Network. They discuss the legal details of Watergate, Hillary Clinton’s emailgate, the Mueller investigation, and Jan 6.
Producer: George McDonagh
Show Note Links
Join the Mega Orderers Club via this link: https://disorder.supportingcast.fm/
For more on our New Books Network partnership visit https://newbooksnetwork.com/category/up-partners/disorder
Buy When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ's Pursuit of the President, from Nixon to Trump by Elie Honig https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-You-Come-King-President/dp/0063447363
Read Why The Supreme Court Might Strike Down Trumps Tariffs https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/why-the-supreme-court-might-strike-down-trumps-tariffs.html
Read The John Bolton Indictment Is Different https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/the-john-bolton-indictment-is-different/ar-AA1OESRh?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1
Watch Elie Honig on the Lincoln Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSEytVs2Er4
Read a review of Elie’s book at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/elie-honig/when-you-come-at-the-king/
Another take on Elie’s book https://historynerdsunited.com/2025/09/when-you-come-at-the-king-by-elie-honig-book-review/
PODCAST HOST
Jason Pack
RUSI Associate Fellow; Host of the Disorder Podcast
