Law and Odor: Trump’s Nose for Justice has him Following the Wrong Scent, and Voters Know it
With the indictment of former National Security Advisor John Bolton for mishandling classified information, the Trump administration has crossed into politically perilous terrain. To some, it may look like long-overdue accountability for the weaponization of the DOJ under the Biden administration. To others—especially Independents—it’s déjà vu of a justice system turned into a political weapon.
Former U.S. Congressman Jim Renacci (R-OH) argues that by indicting political enemies, Trump risks reinforcing the very dynamic he spent years condemning—the weaponization of the Department of Justice. The optics are clear: after New York Attorney General Letitia James was charged with fraud, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted for making false statements to Congress, and now Bolton faces prosecution, Trump’s justice team appears to be doing exactly what his critics accused the Biden DOJ of doing—using the gavel as a sword.
Weaponization or Justice?
Yes, there’s a case to be made that these figures targeted Trump first. Letitia James built her name—and political capital—on the Trump Organization’s legal woes. Comey’s role in the Crossfire Hurricane probe marked one of the most brazen abuses of federal surveillance authority in modern times. And Bolton, who leaked classified details after his abrupt departure, made himself an easy target. But as Renacci points out, justice isn’t about settling political scores—it’s about restoring trust. And when the public sees justice applied in ways that look retaliatory, trust collapses further.
Renacci warns that the political blowback could be severe. Independent voters—already alienated by partisanship—tend to sympathize with whoever’s being targeted. They rewarded Trump in 2016 after years of Obama-era overreach, and punished Republicans in 2018 after they perceived heavy-handedness from the right. If voters interpret the Bolton indictment as another turn of the political tit-for-tat, 2026 could be a landslide for Democrats.
“This may feel like justice served,” Renacci notes, “but the public may see it as just desserts—another round of political revenge disguised as law and order.”
The former congressman and Ohio gubernatorial candidate argues that Trump’s legacy won’t be defined by how many enemies he punishes, but by whether he can end the era of political prosecution altogether. For a weary electorate, that might be the only kind of justice that truly matters.
Schedule an interview with Renacci today.
Weaponization is not justice and justice is not Weaponization. Was Trump a victim of weaponization during the Biden administration? Between the numerous indictments and impeachments during his first term, it’s hard to argue otherwise. However, if the Biden administration was the source of DOJ weaponization, tit-for-tat is likely not going to have the desired effect. Certain truths must be called out.
Those truths hold the keys. So far, all we have is weaponization theater and someone benefits.
Relevant Article(s):
John Bolton surrenders to authorities after federal indictment in classified information probe
Why the Bolton indictment is different from the Comey and James cases | CNN Politics
John Bolton at court to surrender to authorities after being indicted – US politics live
Renacci’s Newsmax Commentary Page
Jim Renacci – Renacci’s Truths | Newsmax.com
OPTIONAL Q&A
- What message does Trump send by indicting political rivals like Bolton, Comey, and Letitia James?
- Could these indictments be seen as justice delayed—or political revenge disguised as justice?
- How might Independent voters interpret this pattern of prosecutions across party lines?
- Does targeting figures who once targeted Trump risk validating the “weaponized DOJ” narrative?
- Could this strategy backfire by energizing Democrats and alienating moderates ahead of 2026?
- Is Trump’s Justice Department undoing past wrongs or simply repeating them in reverse?
- At what point does restoring accountability turn into retribution?
- Can Trump truly end political lawfare if he’s also using it to fight his enemies?
Visit Jim’s Website at https://jimrenacci.com/
ABOUT JIM RENACCI…
In 2010, Jim filed to run for U.S. Congress in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, taking on a well-funded Democratic incumbent. Jim won the election by 9 percent.
While in Congress, Jim earned a reputation for being a principled conservative and effective legislator. He quickly rose through the ranks to serve on the Committee on Financial Services, as vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, and as a member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. After just two years, Jim was named to the powerful Ways and Means Committees and Budget Committees.
Not only did the blue-collar entrepreneur realize his own dream, but Jim also became the answer to countless Ohioans. As can only happen in America, the Ohioan entrepreneur soon laid claim to operate over 60 businesses, creating 1,500 new jobs, employing over 3,000 people statewide.
But politics had other plans. In 2009, the Obama Administration took over General Motors, shuttering dealerships across the country— including Jim’s in Northeast Ohio. Shutting down Jim’s dealership killed 50 good-paying jobs in his community — and Jim wasn’t going to stand by while neighbors were going hungry. How could Washington blatantly interfere in the everyday lives of hard-working Americans who wanted nothing more but their own chance at the American Dream?
Jim’s track record as a blue-collar entrepreneur demonstrates his only allegiance has ever been to the very people who D.C. bureaucrats forcibly unemployed that fateful day in an Ohio car dealership — the everyday Americans forgotten by the Swamp. He represents the people’s hopes and fears, bringing actionable results back to the working people who gave him a voice.
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