On Monday’s Morning Joe, co-host Jonathan Lemire cast doubt on Donald Trump’s assertion that he will not use the Department of Justice to target his political opponents if re-elected. Trump’s comments came during an NBC interview with Kristen Welker, where he attempted to downplay earlier statements about prosecuting President Joe Biden.
Welker pressed Trump on a 2023 Truth Social post where he vowed to “appoint a real special prosecutor to go after Joe Biden.” Trump appeared to shift his stance, responding, “I will say this, no, I’m not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable, but that’s not going to be my decision. That’s going to be [attorney general nominee] Pam Bondi’s decision, and, to a different extent, [FBI director nominee] Kash Patel.”
Trump then pivoted, adding, “What they’ve done to me with weaponization is a disgrace.” Lemire, however, called Trump’s comments a form of strategic ambiguity. “This idea, he said, I would not direct people under me to carry out these arrests or target my political opponents — that’s giving him some plausible deniability,” Lemire argued.
The panel discussed the potential for Trump’s rhetoric to influence his nominees. “Maybe he won’t come January 21st and say, ‘Hey, arrest Liz Cheney,’” Lemire continued, “but he’s already directed it. He has said these names over and over and over for months. They already can take their cues. That would be at his behest were this to happen.”
Co-host Mika Brzezinski offered a cautious perspective, saying, “Perhaps. We will have to see how these choices pan out as well and whether some of them get through or not, or how they are put in place.” Brzezinski then raised questions about Trump’s priorities if re-elected.
“Donald Trump has a decision to make for himself. What will be more important for him on day one?” she asked. “Meetings with leaders, Democrats and Republicans, working on policy and legislative action, perhaps getting things done, meeting goals? Or starting this way, which would make it very hard for any of those other things.”
The discussion highlighted concerns over Trump’s past remarks, suggesting his signals to loyalists could translate into action, even if he denies direct involvement. Lemire’s skepticism underscores fears of politicizing the Justice Department, while Brzezinski emphasized the broader implications for governance under a second Trump administration.