Family probes as power plays: a new authoritarian tactic in US politics
TL;DR
LA Times columnist Anita Chabria argues that the DOJ probe of Jennifer Siebel Newsom reflects a forward‑looking, selective prosecution aimed at neutralizing Gavin Newsom as a potential 2028 rival, signaling a more authoritarian tactic than past grievances; the piece cites Harvard’s Steven Levitsky and notes that right‑wing media have attacked Siebel Newsom, while Newsom frames the investigation as baseless and urges resilience to defend democracy.
Topics:nationpolitics#authoritarianism#doj-investigation#donald-trump#gavin-newsom#jennifer-siebel-newsom#politics
- Commentary: Trump goes after Newsom's wife? Unsurprising, but also a new level of authoritarianism Los Angeles Times
- Gov. Gavin Newsom Says Trump Is Investigating Him and His Wife The New York Times
- Trump makes Newsom a target. Newsom sees a launchpad. Politico
- Gavin Newsom says Trump directed DoJ to investigate him and his wife The Guardian
- Newsom says DOJ conducting baseless investigation of him and his wife at Trump's direction Yahoo
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