Morning Memo from Chicago: The Retribution Chronicles
Hey folks, greetings from Chicago! Last night, Josh Marshall and Kate Riga took the TPM podcast live in front of a buzzing audience. It was our very first TPM event outside the usual New York and DC hubs — and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up! If you’re not on the list yet, don’t forget to sign up for the email version of Morning Memo to stay in the loop.
Trump’s Retribution Machine: The Saga Continues
There’s a pretty wild story unfolding right now, one that shows President Trump and his MAGA allies in Congress haven’t backed down one bit. Despite some major court losses, they’re still laser-focused on going after the prosecutors who have been investigating Trump.
Jay Bratt’s Stand: Invoking the Fifth
Jay Bratt — a seasoned DOJ prosecutor who led the prosecution in the Mar-a-Lago case — just took a huge stand. When House Judiciary Committee Republicans tried to depose him as part of their “investigate the investigators” campaign, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Now, before you jump to conclusions, there are no credible accusations against Bratt. His move signals something deeper: even a DOJ veteran doesn’t trust the Trump DOJ to act fairly anymore.
His spokesperson, Peter Carr (who himself was ousted from DOJ by the new administration), put it bluntly:
“This administration and its proxies have made no effort to hide their willingness to weaponize the machinery of government against those they perceive as political enemies. That should alarm every American who believes in the rule of law.”
Bratt actually left DOJ in January before Biden’s inauguration, anticipating harassment like this. It’s a grim reminder of the fallout: careers destroyed, forced legal battles, public smearing — all adding up to emotional and financial strain. It’s a warning shot to every civil servant out there about the cost of doing their jobs honestly.
Robert Mueller’s Legacy Under Attack
This isn’t just about Jay Bratt. Another front in Trump’s retribution war involves the law firm Jenner and Block. A lawyer there recently had his security clearance suspended — a move that seriously hampers his ability to defend a client in a classified criminal case. Shockingly, this lawyer found out about losing clearance because the DOJ informed the judge overseeing the case.
Here’s why that’s a big deal:
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This is the second time this week lawyers at firms targeted by Trump have lost security clearances.
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The defense of the accused is now compromised since the lawyer can’t fully represent the client without clearance.
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This reeks of retaliatory behavior designed to cripple legal defenses and weaponize justice.
What’s more, the Jenner and Block firm itself was targeted for hiring Andrew Weissmann, a prominent figure from Mueller’s Special Counsel team. It’s as if Trump’s vendetta against Mueller’s legacy is being waged through anyone associated with him.
One Win Against Retaliation: ABA Case
There was a rare bright spot. The Trump DOJ attempted to retaliate against the American Bar Association by cutting off a grants program aimed at supporting domestic violence victims. But U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled this move unconstitutional, saying the DOJ failed to prove any legitimate reason for ending the program other than punishment for the ABA’s role in lawsuits against the Trump administration.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the courts do push back.
Tulsi Gabbard Shakes Up Intelligence
In a surprising turn, Tulsi Gabbard — yes, the former Congresswoman — has fired two senior intelligence officials. This came after their recent assessment contradicted Trump’s claim that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is operating under the Venezuelan regime’s direction. This shake-up reflects how intelligence and politics collide in unexpected ways.
Trump’s Immigration Policies: Chaos and Controversy
Trump’s immigration legacy keeps stirring drama. In a high-profile case, the administration is fighting tooth and nail to prevent any discovery (i.e., investigation) into the status of Venezuelan nationals imprisoned in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.
Here’s the kicker: these Venezuelans have been detained for months — three months now for Kilmar Abrego Garcia — but the Trump administration is acting like it’s a state secret.
In the meantime, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been refusing to acknowledge that Trump used a doctored image of Abrego Garcia’s tattoos during public events. This denial prompted Rep. Eric Swalwell to publicly confront her with the real images, making for a surreal, almost dystopian political moment.
Georgetown Scholar Ordered Released
In a related immigration story, U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles ordered the release of Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University researcher whose visa was revoked amid a crackdown on pro-Palestinian academics. Though Suri’s deportation proceedings will continue, this ruling represents a small win against what some see as politically motivated immigration enforcement.
Thread of the Day: Government in Crisis
Here’s a powerful tweet that sums up a lot of public frustration:
“We have a govt that’s engaged in human trafficking, openly allowing a gulf petrostate to bribe its leadership, reshaping refugee programs in racist ways, nearly ending American foreign aid, and trying to crash the economy from the rose garden.”
That’s from Twitter user southpaw — a stark reminder of how intertwined and intense these issues have become.
Ed Martin Under Investigation
Trump DOJ official Ed Martin recently revealed he’s under investigation by DC’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel. While details are scarce, it’s likely tied to his controversial tenure as acting U.S. attorney in DC. This adds yet another layer to ongoing concerns about DOJ conduct during Trump’s reign.
The Library of Congress Standoff
One of the more eyebrow-raising developments this week was the White House’s push to seize control over the Library of Congress — yes, the national library! The plan hit a roadblock thanks to quiet but firm resistance from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
While they haven’t openly challenged Trump’s firing of Librarian Carla Hayden, they question the President’s authority to appoint an acting replacement and other library officials, including the top copyright officer. This unexpected showdown reflects tensions between executive and legislative powers, complicated further by messy vacancy laws.
DOGE Watch: Legal Battles Continue
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the government watchdog CREW’s FOIA request must be answered by DOGE — the Trump White House’s office that’s been at the center of controversy. Meanwhile, efforts on Capitol Hill to retroactively approve DOGE’s budget cuts are running into strong opposition.
Interestingly, DOGE recently stopped taking credit for killing dozens of federal contracts after reports surfaced that those contracts had already been reinstated — a bit of backpedaling in action.
Coming Up: Supreme Court Liveblog
Today, TPM will be liveblogging the Supreme Court oral arguments around two hot-button issues: birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions. Tune in starting at 10 a.m. ET for updates on these landmark cases.
Quote of the Day
And to close, here’s a moment from the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing that caught a lot of attention:
“I will not yield to disrespectful men.”
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, standing her ground during a late-night exchange with Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX).
Wrapping Up
From Chicago’s lively podcast event to a whirlwind of legal battles and political drama, today’s memo is packed with the kind of stories that show just how intense and complicated the post-Trump era still is. The relentless pursuit of retribution against Trump’s prosecutors is shaping the DOJ and legal landscape in profound ways. And the clashes over immigration, government oversight, and political appointments keep making headlines.
Stay tuned and stay informed — the political theater isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
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