Democrats' 'Rule of Law' Proposals Reveal Plans to Weaponize Government Against Political Enemies, So Voters Should Reject Them
Source: Brianna Lyman. "NYT Columnist Wants Dems To 'Drain' Trump Allies' Bank Accounts." October 29, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author says a New York Times columnist wants Democrats to go after Trump's allies by suing them into bankruptcy and ignoring pardons, and that other Democrats have said similar things. She argues this shows Democrats plan to use the legal system to punish opponents, so voters shouldn't give them power.
Conclusion
Voters should think twice before giving Democrats power, because influential Democrats' proposals for restoring 'democracy' and the 'rule of law' are actually plans to use lawfare and retribution against Trump's family, allies, and administration officials.
Premises
- NYT columnist Jamelle Bouie proposes that Democrats create a civil cause of action allowing victims to sue federal officials for damages, with Stephen Miller's bank account as an example target if criminal accountability fails.
- Bouie also suggests Democrats consider a constitutional amendment limiting pardon power, get 'creative' about Trump's pardons, and pursue criminal charges even where pardons have already been issued.
- Bouie's proposals consist of new laws and rule changes aimed at his political opponents, which conflicts with the stated goal of restoring the rule of law.
- Other Democrats and allies have voiced similar retributive aims: Jennifer Welch fantasizing about investigating Barron and Tiffany Trump, Sen. Slotkin threatening young conservatives' careers to create 'deterrence,' and candidate Angie Nixon saying Ashley Moody should be 'locked up and punished in jail.'
- These statements are a preview of what influential Democrats would do if they win, namely investigate the Trump family and pursue administration members so young conservatives are deterred from government work.
Assumptions
- Statements by a columnist, a podcaster, one senator, and one candidate are representative of what Democrats in power would actually do.
- Civil suits against federal officials and ignoring pardons are illegitimate weaponization rather than legitimate accountability for wrongdoing.
- Administration officials have not actually committed unlawful acts that would warrant accountability, or accountability measures are pretextual.
- Proposing new legal mechanisms to hold officials accountable is inconsistent with upholding the rule of law.
- Bouie's op-ed reflects or influences Democratic Party policy, even though he is a journalist, not a legislator.
- Voters' decision should turn on the risk of retribution rather than other issues.