For My Friends Everything, for My Enemies the Law

"For my friends everything, for my enemies the law." This quote has been variously attributed to both Peruvian president Oscar Benavides and to Brazilian president Getúlio Vargas. Regardless of who said it originally, this has become a foundational principle of the administration of cult leader, convicted felon, and failed President Donald Trump. Immediately upon taking office for the second time, Trump either pardoned or commuted the sentences of nearly 1,600 individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 insurrection. This included people convicted of assaulting police officers and the leaders and organizers of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol Building. Nearly 20 of those have gone on to commit additional crimes since being pardoned. Over the weekend, there were more examples of the Trump administration protecting its friends and attempting to punish its enemies in a massive misuse of the justice system.

In June 2016, former President Bill Clinton landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Disembarking from his aircraft, he was told that then U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch had also just landed, and he walked over to her aircraft. Lynch invited Clinton onboard, and they met privately for about 30 minutes. Because at that time the Department of Justice was investigating then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, this meeting resulted in a massive scandal. Critics insisted that Bill Clinton must have used the meeting to attempt to influence Lynch regarding the investigation into Hillary Clinton. Because of the public outcry, Lynch said that the investigation of Clinton's emails would be in the hands of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, then led by James Comey, and that she would accept the FBI's recommendations. Comey used the authority this decision granted him to take an outsized public role that included public criticism of Clinton despite the investigation's determination that she should not be prosecuted. Comey continued this habit of being overly public — contrary to the FBI's traditional practice — when he announced that the investigation was being reopened just 11 days before the November 8, 2026 election. Days later, Comey conceded that no evidence of wrongdoing had been found. Nevertheless, Comey's involvement caused considerable harm to Clinton's election chances and may well have thrown the election to Trump. Even after Trump's victory, this meeting was investigated by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz. This is how important interference with Justice Department prosecutions was taken just a few short years ago.

Fast forward to September 20th of this year, just two days ago. Trump posted a "truth" on his Truth Social social media network that appeared to have been meant as a private message to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The post started, "Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action...’" Trump then went on to imply that Bondi should immediately ensure that three Trump opponents — the aforementioned Comey, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and New York Attorney General Letitia James — be prosecuted. This is blatant and flagrant interference in the judicial process. Trump even pronounced the three "guilty as hell". Comey and James had already been under investigation by Erik S. Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. However, Siebert had failed to find evidence that could lead to the conviction of either of the two in court. Therefore, he had not initiated prosecutions. Under fire for his failure to press charges even before Trump's post, Siebert had resigned the previous day. In his "truth," Trump insisted that Siebert had not resigned, but had instead been fired.

Also on Saturday, Trump announced the appointment of Lindsey Halligan to replace Siebert. Halligan is an insurance lawyer who was also part of Trump's defense team in his classified documents case. She has never been a prosecutor. It is clear that Halligan has been tasked with prosecuting both Comey and James regardless of what the facts may indicate. This is an astonishing corruption of justice, but is unlikely to get even a fraction of the attention of Clinton's airport tarmac meeting.

A similar situation is occurring in Maryland where Kelly Hayes, the U.S. Attorney in Maryland, is investigating Schiff. According to the New York Times, Hayes is struggling to find sufficient evidence with which to prosecute Schiff and is feeling pressure from the Trump administration. Hayes is also investigating former National Security Advisor John Bolton whose home was raided last month by the FBI. However, no charges have been filed against Bolton so far.

James and Schiff, as well as Federal Reserve Bank Governor Lisa Cook, are being pursued due to allegations by Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, that the three engaged in mortgage fraud. Pulte's allegations are based on indications that they may have declared multiple homes to be principal residences. However, there are situations that allow multiple homes to have such designations. Moreover, Pulte's "evidence" is far from conclusive. It is no surprise that prosecutors are having difficulty putting together winnable cases. Moreover, a number of Trump cabinet members including Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin have similarly declared multiple homes to be principal residences. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant also declared two homes to be principal residences back in 2007. Even Pulte's own father was found to have declared multiple homes as principal residences. If Pulte is eager to expose this so-called "mortgage fraud," he can certainly start much closer to home.

Trump's use of the law to hound his enemies while protecting his friends is amply illustrated by the mortgage cases. James, Cook, and Schiff are investigated while similar behavior by Trump allies is ignored. However, over the weekend, a much more serious example came to light.

Late Friday, Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian, writing for MSNBC, disclosed that White House border czar Tom Homan was taped accepting $50,000 in cash contained in a CAVA bag from FBI agents. The money was in return for promises by Homan to help the agents, disguised as businessmen, win government contracts. This incident took place in September 2024 when Homan was out of government. Because federal charges of bribery require that the subject be a public official, Homan could not be charged with bribery at that time. However, he could have been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. Nevertheless, FBI officials decided to wait to see if Homan received a government appointment and, if so, whether he would follow through on his promises. However, in early 2025, Trump officials ended the investigation.

Homan is currently leading Trump's mass deportation program. The operation involves millions of dollars being spent to build and supply prisons, transport detainees, and to provide for countless other logistical needs. With contracts being awarded left and right, there is plenty of room for fraud. While Homan's defenders claim that he is not responsible for awarding contracts, it is unconscionable that this investigation was closed. It would also be worth investigating whether he declared the $50,000 on his taxes. Nevertheless, there is no indication that Trump officials have any interest in this case whatsoever. Homan will be allowed to get away with accepting the money.

The difference between how the Trump administration applies the law to his friends and enemies could not be more stark. Cook, James, and Schiff have been investigated, and Trump is personally demanding prosecution over allegations for which seasoned professionals cannot find sufficient evidence for charges. Yet Homan is on tape accepting $50,000 in a CAVA bag, and his case is being suppressed. I have said it before, but it remains true: The Trump administration does not practice the rule of law, but rather rule by law. The law is simply a tool for punishing enemies rather than serving justice.