INJUSTICE
By Carol Leonnig and Aaron C. Davis
Publisher: Penguin Press
The Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters investigate changes and divisions within the Justice Department over the last decade.
Review by By The Books Reviewer
"Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America's Justice Department" by Carol Leonnig and Aaron C. Davis is a scathing indictment of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) descent into political subservience and moral decay over the past decade. Leonnig and Davis, both Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, meticulously dissect the DOJ's transformation from a bastion of impartiality to a tool of political machination, particularly under the Trump administration.
The authors present a damning narrative of how President Trump systematically undermined the DOJ's independence, pressuring officials to protect his allies, persecute his adversaries, and even assist in his desperate attempts to cling to power post-2020 election defeat. The department's capitulation to such demands, as detailed in the book, is nothing short of a betrayal of its foundational principles.
Leonnig and Davis don't spare the Biden administration either. They criticize Attorney General Merrick Garland's hesitancy and overcautious approach in pursuing investigations into Trump's egregious actions. This timidity, they argue, has allowed the former president to evade accountability, thereby emboldening him and his supporters to continue their assault on democratic norms.
The book is replete with insider accounts that reveal a DOJ paralyzed by fear and political interference. Prosecutors are depicted as being in turmoil over Trump's blatant disregard for the rule of law, while FBI agents, once the epitome of investigative integrity, are shown retreating in apprehension. The portrayal of Special Counsel Jack Smith's team, racing against time to investigate Trump's mishandling of classified documents and his attack on democracy, underscores the monumental challenges faced by those striving to uphold justice in an environment rife with obstruction and intimidation.
Leonnig and Davis's exhaustive research, drawing from over 200 interviews across three presidencies, paints a bleak picture of a DOJ in crisis. The department's internal strife, exacerbated by propaganda and partisanship, has left it in a state of disarray from which recovery seems increasingly unlikely. The authors' warning is clear: the DOJ's degradation is not just a bureaucratic issue but a dire threat to the very fabric of American democracy.
Critics have lauded "Injustice" for its unflinching examination of the DOJ's failures. Jeffrey Toobin, writing for The New York Times Book Review, notes that the book reveals how political independence within the DOJ has been supplanted by servility to Trump. Politico describes the work as a "journalistic tour-de-force," emphasizing its importance in understanding the catastrophic missteps in holding Trump accountable. ([politics-prose.com](https://politics-prose.com/book/9780593831373?utm_source=openai))
In conclusion, "Injustice" is a harrowing exposé that should serve as a wake-up call to all who value the rule of law and democratic governance. Leonnig and Davis have crafted a compelling, albeit distressing, account of a justice system in peril. This book is not just recommended; it is essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of justice in America.
Recommendation: Highly recommended!
written on: 11/13/2025