Trump Triumphs: A New Era of Justice and Accountability?
After Winning Back the White House, Trump Must Make Good on His Promise to Clean House
By M. Thomas Nast and Frankie Pressman
With Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office, Americans are right to expect more than just the standard political fare. For years, we’ve watched an unrelenting series of attacks against Trump and his allies, from targeted prosecutions to blatant censorship across Big Tech and the media.
Now, Trump faces the opportunity—and, arguably, the duty—to restore balance by holding accountable those who abused their positions for political gain. Trump can and should do this in a measured manner.
As a president who’s endured relentless lawfare, Trump understands that achieving lasting reform means facing down entrenched forces in Washington that have worked tirelessly to undermine him and the voters who supported him.
If Trump is serious about his “Make America Great Again” mantra, he must ensure the rule of law is not selectively applied. To do this, he must come down hard with a micro-scalpel, excising the “Deep State” cancers in the American Government.
Lawfare and Political Weaponization
One of the first issues Trump must tackle is those who waged politicized legal battles against him and his team. Advisors like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were prosecuted for actions that seem to be criminalized only because of their ties to Trump. Legal allies Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, and Jeff Clark were ruined personally and professionally. This approach to justice is more than hypocritical; it’s a clear abuse of power by officials determined to punish those who challenge them.
There’s no more explicit example of selective prosecution than the way the January 6 defendants were treated versus Black Lives Matter protesters. Hundreds of January 6 protesters are serving long sentences, while rioters during the 2020 unrest walked free.
Trump’s first step must be to investigate and correct these double standards. The statute of limitations on the George Floyd riots is five years. Bring those criminals to justice immediately.
Without addressing this issue, we’re left with a justice system that selectively punishes based on politics.
However, Trump must also remain magnanimous. This is why he should pledge to commute any sentence given to Hunter Biden to “heal” the country. It would place Biden and the Democrats in an impossible political position and give him the political capital to use in prosecutions targeted explicitly at those government officials who misused their offices and politically targeted Americans for their outspoken beliefs.
Targeting Corrupt Prosecutors
Trump’s administration should pursue those who led the politically motivated charges against him. This isn’t about vengeance; it’s about sending a message that using legal power as a political weapon has consequences. These officials, who violated the spirit of their oaths to serve the public without bias, should face the same scrutiny they imposed on others.
Former FBI Director James Comey is reportedly deeply concerned about Trump’s return to power. He fears that Trump will dismantle the FBI and Department of Justice as part of a sweeping reform agenda. Comey, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since his dismissal, knows that Trump’s administration has not forgotten the FBI's role in the 2016 Russia investigation, which Trump and his supporters contend was a partisan effort to undermine his presidency.
Comey fears not just institutional reform but also personal accountability, as Trump could move to prosecute those who allegedly weaponized federal agencies for political purposes, including Comey himself.
With widespread calls for accountability and a promise to "drain the swamp," Trump investigate and prosecute those who misused their positions of power, restoring public trust and ensuring that no one remains above the law.
Trump must prosecute several political enemies, but not just because they are opponents. They are prosecuted because they engaged in actions that have “damaged trust in our American political system.”
Restoring this trust will require transparency and accountability, something Trump has promised but must now deliver.
Reforming Big Tech’s Grip on Speech
Big Tech’s interference in the free flow of information has become glaringly obvious. Platforms like Twitter (now X; before Elon Musk’s purchase), Facebook, and YouTube have repeatedly silenced conservative voices, particularly during elections.
By deplatforming Trump in 2021 and censoring politically inconvenient stories, Big Tech demonstrated its power to shape narratives and influence public opinion.
It’s time to end these platforms' monopoly. Trump’s administration must revisit antitrust cases against Big Tech to curb their unchecked power and create a fair digital landscape.
The major broadcast networks also operate on free licenses of the public spectrum. If Trump follows through, breaking up these monopolies could be his legacy.
Immigration Reform Starts with Accountability
The Biden administration’s open-border policies must end. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, responsible for overseeing what many see as a deliberate lack of border security, should be held accountable. Trump’s administration should not shy away from prosecuting top officials who enabled the flow of illegal immigration, undermining both our laws and national security.
Trump has already voiced support for freezing funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that aid in resettling illegal immigrants, and he’s right to pursue this. Holding accountable both government officials and private organizations involved in unlawful activities is vital to restoring order and security at the border.
Recognizing Allies Who Stood Tall
While Trump must confront those who wielded power unethically, he must also remember to lift up those who supported him. Elon Musk, who championed free speech in the face of Big Tech’s censorship, should be given the support he needs to expand broadband access nationwide.
Unlike the government’s $42 billion rural broadband program, Musk’s satellite-based internet has already proven effective at a fraction of the cost. Cutting bureaucratic red tape for Musk isn’t just smart policy—it’s a reward for his commitment to freedom of expression.
Another ally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., broke with his family’s political tradition to support Trump. Kennedy’s advocacy for health freedom and opposition to Big Pharma deserves Trump’s backing in policy initiatives. These alliances are about more than personal gratitude; they represent sound governance.
Reforming the Intelligence Community
If Trump wants lasting reform, he must also focus on the intelligence community, whose leaders actively sought to discredit him. Perhaps the most blatant example of this was the letter signed by 51 intelligence officials dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story as “Russian disinformation.”
These officials should be stripped of their security clearances and investigated for election interference.
The intelligence community should protect Americans, not meddle in political affairs. For Trump to succeed, he must remove officials who have shown a clear bias against him and rebuild public trust in these agencies.
Moving Beyond Partisanship, Demanding Accountability
Some will accuse Trump of exacting revenge, but this view misses the point. Trump’s efforts to hold accountable those who misused their power will strengthen democracy. The double standards in justice, media, and tech that we have seen are not sustainable if Americans are to trust their government.
If Trump wants to fulfill his promise of making America great, he must prioritize fairness, accountability, and transparency. These aren’t partisan values; they’re democratic values. Trump’s victory was a mandate from voters who feel the system has betrayed them.
Trump’s mission is clear: to restore that trust, break the stranglehold of the old power structures, and ensure that no one—left or right—is above the law.
He has a second chance to bring about real change. This time, he must follow through.
Reader Comment: I would never have a paid subscription to THIS
Reader Comment: Trump is a criminal. He should in jail not the white house.