How to Safeguard the DOJ Against the Next Trump

Barbara McQuade outlines reforms to protect the Justice Department from political interference.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Trump administration's manipulation of the Justice Department has eroded public confidence and integrity. To prevent future abuses, the author proposes reforms such as requiring courts to appoint independent legal advisers for grand juries, protecting federal employees from politically-motivated removals, codifying the Principles of Federal Prosecution into law, and restricting communications between the White House and DOJ.

Why it matters

The Justice Department's independence from partisan politics is crucial for upholding the rule of law. The Trump administration's efforts to use the DOJ as a tool for political retribution and to target perceived enemies have undermined this vital principle. Safeguarding the DOJ's integrity is essential to restoring public trust and preventing future administrations from repeating these abuses.

The details

The author, a former U.S. Attorney, outlines several key reforms to protect the DOJ from political interference. These include: 1) Requiring courts to appoint independent legal advisers to grand juries to prevent prosecutors from abusing their authority; 2) Strengthening protections for federal employees to prevent politically-motivated removals; 3) Codifying the Principles of Federal Prosecution into law to prohibit charging decisions based on partisan politics; and 4) Restricting communications between the White House and DOJ to avoid improper influence over criminal cases.

  • In just a year, the DOJ has become unrecognizable to those who devoted their legal careers to its service.
  • Earlier this month, the FBI seized ballots and voting rolls at the Fulton County elections office in Georgia based on previously debunked claims of fraud.

The players

Barbara McQuade

A professor at the University of Michigan Law School, a former U.S. Attorney, and the author of the forthcoming book 'The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government'.

Pam Bondi

The current Attorney General who has transformed the DOJ from an agency that pursues justice without fear or favor into an instrument of Trump's retribution.

James Comey

The former FBI director who refused to drop the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who won a civil fraud case against President Trump and the Trump Organization.

Jerome Powell

The Federal Reserve Chair who has been targeted by the DOJ.

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What they’re saying

“America has never seen this level of coordinated judicial opposition to a presidential administration.”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General (House Judiciary Committee)

“These efforts were thwarted by the courts and grand juries. But simply being targeted for criminal investigation can be oppressive.”

— Barbara McQuade (twincities.com)

What’s next

Congress should pass legislation requiring courts to hire counsel to serve as legal advisers to grand juries to protect against politically motivated or legally baseless charges.

The takeaway

Restoring the DOJ's integrity and public confidence after the Trump administration will require fundamental reforms to safeguard the agency from future political interference and abuses of power, including codifying principles of prosecutorial independence into law.