Deep State: Trump, the FBI, and the Rule of Law

In his new book, Pulitzer Prize winner James B. Stewart gives an in-depth look at the two of the most controversial recent investigations by the FBI and the Justice Department, first, the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private e-mail server when she was secretary of state, and then the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, and whether anyone in the Trump campaign participated in that effort or tried to block the subsequent inquiry.

The book is called "Deep State: Trump, the FBI, and the Rule of Law."

• William Brangham:
  So, deep state, as we know it, is a pejorative term about shadowy, unseen forces conspiring and pulling the levers of power.
  And the president has repeatedly stated that, certainly within the FBI, that there is a deep state of Trump-hating agents and officers and officials.
  You have spent two years digging into this agency. Is that true?
• James B. Stewart:
  It's utterly false.
  
  President Trump has weaponized this notion of a deep state, turned it into this pejorative term.
  
  There is a career bureaucracy. There are independent agencies in this country, and there are checks and balances, and in this case, there are checks on the power of the presidency. They're constitutionally designed to do that.
  
  He accuses anyone who unearths facts that he doesn't like or criticizes him as being part of this sinister deep state. In fact, to the extent they are independent, they are doing their constitutional duty, they are doing their patriotic duty to honor their pledge to both support the Constitution and recognize the fact they work for the people of the United States, not the president.

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Old 'N Chill said:

I just watched this interview on TV with author James B. Stewart, and thought I'd post about it here for anyone interested. Video in link.




How ‘Deep State’ book disputes accusations of Trump bias at FBI, DOJ | PBS NewsHour

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