The public's trust in the Department of Justice (DOJ) declines as Biden pardons Hunter and aligns with Trump in criticizing the agency.

The collapse of trust in most government institutions is a reality we must confront.

The FDA, DOD, HUD, Homeland Security, health agencies, and many other government institutions are not trusted by many people, and they also don't believe the media can provide accurate and unbiased information about Washington.

Since the merging of lies about Vietnam and Watergate, these sentiments have been steadily increasing for the past 60 years, culminating in Richard Nixon's resignation.

The Justice Department, including the FBI, is widely considered the most sensitive federal agency. For years, Donald Trump has been attacking these agencies, along with the "fake news," accusing them of politically persecuting him. During his campaign, he frequently spoke outside courthouses, claiming that prosecutors and judges were terrible people who were out to get him solely because he was the leading candidate to win back the White House.

By not fulfilling his pledge not to pardon his son Hunter, Joe Biden went beyond merely lying. He also undermined the integrity of his own Department of Justice by accusing it of "unfairly and selectively prosecuting" his son.

In the past, I served as the Justice Department beat reporter, patrolling the extensive corridors of the J. Edgar Hoover building. On the criminal side, it is crucial that the department remain impartial, as it frequently investigates the government. Historically, the Justice Department was filled with fair-minded career prosecutors who pursued legitimate leads without regard for political affiliation.

The outgoing president and the incoming president both argue that the DOJ is biased, as evidenced by the harsh treatment of Hunter Biden. This lack of trust in the department is unsurprising.

Biden responded to repeated inquiries about a pardon or commutation by stating, "I won't discuss hypotheticals." This would have eliminated the need for him to lie.

Pam Bondi, with her experience as Florida AG and a career prosecutor, is likely to become the next attorney general, unlike Matt Gaetz who lacked the necessary qualifications. She will not disrupt the department.

Trump's decision to nominate Kash Patel to run the FBI, despite Chris Wray's ongoing 10-year term, sends a clear message. This message is not hidden, but rather stated by the nominee himself.

Patel has pledged to close the bureau's Washington office. In an interview on Steve Bannon's podcast, which was featured on "Media Buzz," he stated last year, "We will track down the conspirators...not only in government but also in the media. We'll determine whether it's a criminal or civil matter."

In his 2022 book "Government Gangsters," Patel lists 60 individuals as part of the deep state, a group of unelected tyrants who pose the greatest threat to our democracy. This has been referred to as an enemies list by the press.

Bill Barr was blocked from being appointed as Trump's attorney general, John Bolton was described as an "arrogant control freak" by the NSC chairman, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper tried to fire him.

Also on the list, as recounted by the New Republic:

Joe Biden.

Kamala Harris.

Hillary Clinton.

Merrick Garland.

Samantha Power, who now runs the Agency for International Development.

James Clapper, John Brennan, Peter Strzok, Andrew McCabe, Eric Holder, and Loretta Lynch were all former Obama officials.

Several of Donald Trump's own appointees include Pat Cippolone, Gina Haspel, Mark Esper, and Charles Kupperman.

Mark Meadows' top aide, Cassidy Hutchinson, testified against Trump before the House Jan. 6 committee.

The list is extensive, and working for Trump does not guarantee immunity.

Though he would need to obtain a wiretap request or search warrant from a career prosecutor, Patel would have a lot of work to do.

Numerous Democratic politicians are strongly criticizing their party's president over the Hunter pardon, as stated in interviews with the Times.

Jason Crow, a Colorado Congressman, pledged not to do this, but I believe it will make it more difficult for us to maintain democracy in the future when we discuss upholding it.

No family should be above the law, as the president made a wrong decision, according to Washington Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet stated that the Biden move "prioritized personal interest over duty and further undermined Americans' belief that the justice system is impartial and equitable for all." Additionally, his decision to withdraw from the presidential race "put his personal interests above his obligation to the country."

Senator Peter Welch of Vermont stated that while it is understandable for a loving father to pardon their son, it is unwise for the nation's chief executive to do so.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters: "Wrong."

Pretty bracing stuff.

Some progressives, including Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, defended Biden, saying, "Way to go Joe!" despite the fact that a 34-count convicted felon is about to walk into the White House, possibly unaware that Jack Smith has dropped the charges.

Yesterday on "Morning Joe," Mika Brzezinski expressed her view that Biden's decision not to grant a pardon was a wise one, but she also criticized the Trump administration's pardon process as being "hysterically imbalanced."

Many Democrats are frustrated with mainstream organizations, including the New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, for exaggerating the significance of the current situation with Donald Trump, despite his past and present actions.

The two presidents have both viewed the Justice Department as being politicized and partisan.

According to three sources, when Biden had Trump in the White House, he listened to his familiar grievances about the biased DOJ and surprised his host by sympathizing with the Biden family's own troubles with the department.