Government agencies being manipulated or utilized for partisan purposes, as described by a previous Watergate investigator
In a recent discussion on a popular programme, Jill Wine-Banks, a former assistant special prosecutor in the Watergate investigation, expressed concerns about a series of accusations that have been levelled against several high-profile individuals.
These accusations, which originate from a Trump appointee at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), have been making headlines. William (Bill) Pulte, the chairman and director of the FHFA, is the source of these allegations.
The accusations against Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and others are unusual, as they involve the use of mortgage filings to smear their reputations. However, it is important to note that there is no ongoing investigation into Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, despite similar allegations being made against him.
During the Watergate scandal, the Plumbers unit, a group set up to stop leaks at the White House during Nixon's presidency, was responsible for the Watergate break-in and the attempted break-in of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office. This unit's actions led to Nixon's impeachment.
It is worth mentioning that Nixon also attempted to use illegal wiretaps of journalists, which was conducted by FBI director Hoover. Additionally, he tried to use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against his perceived enemies, but the commissioner, Don Alexander, pushed back.
Jill Wine-Banks suggests that this current situation could be a case of selective prosecution or selective accusation. She also expressed concern that President Trump is getting the country ready for a dictatorship with his actions being out in the open.
The Justice Department, traditionally, would handle such accusations out of court, but it has reportedly played along with some of these allegations. It is unusual for the Department of Justice to handle such investigations, and they are not supposed to announce investigations or smear someone's name without an indictment.
However, Jill Wine-Banks's concerns are not unfounded. The use of federal power by President Nixon during the Watergate scandal is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of such actions. As the investigation into these recent allegations continues, it is crucial that the integrity of the justice system is upheld and that all individuals are treated fairly under the law.
