Goldman and Blumenthal Propose Legislation to Prevent Political Misuse of Justice

Feb 18, 2026, 2:40 AM

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US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) have introduced the Prohibiting Political Prosecutions Act, a new legislative measure aimed at preventing the misuse of the justice system by the Trump Administration and future administrations to target political opponents.

Blumenthal emphasized the need for such legislation, stating, "Under President Trump, traditions of professionalism at the Department of Justice have been trashed - requiring legislation to prevent weaponization of political revenge." He noted that the reforms are sweeping because the threats faced are broad and unprecedented, and called for accountability among federal officials who misuse their prosecutorial power for political ends.

Goldman echoed these sentiments, arguing that the current state of the Department of Justice necessitates additional safeguards to protect its independence from political interference. "Donald Trump has spent the last year taking a sledgehammer to our democracy and using the Department of Justice as an arm of political revenge," he stated.

The proposed legislation comes amid multiple investigations initiated by the Department of Justice into Trump's perceived political adversaries. Notably, the DOJ investigated six Democratic lawmakers after they urged military personnel to resist "illegal orders," and recently announced an investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell following his refusal to lower interest rates as pressured by Trump.

The Prohibiting Political Prosecutions Act aims to implement several crucial reforms, including:.

Establishing a right of action against federal officials who engage in selective or malicious prosecution based on political considerations.

Reforming grand jury procedures to require the presentation of exculpatory evidence and disclosure of vote tallies to defendants.

Strengthening judicial oversight over grand jury evidence to dismiss charges where political motives are credibly alleged.

Codifying rules against political considerations in prosecution decisions and prohibiting direct White House instructions regarding investigative actions.

The legislation has garnered endorsements from organizations such as Protect Democracy, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and Americans Against Government Censorship (AAGC). These groups assert that the bill is essential for maintaining judicial integrity and accountability, as well as preventing the weaponization of the legal system.

Justin Vail, Head of the Washington Office at Protect Democracy, stated, "When the vast powers of law enforcement are wielded as a political weapon, it endangers the rule of law for everyone." He emphasized that the Prohibiting Political Prosecutions Act is vital to ensuring that all Americans receive fair treatment under the law.

Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at CREW, stressed the importance of the bill in safeguarding the ability to conduct oversight and pursue accountability without fear of retaliation. She described the increased weaponization of the Department of Justice during Trump's presidency as an affront to core democratic values.

Cole Leiter, Executive Director of Americans Against Government Censorship, remarked, "When presidents direct the DOJ to indict their critics, our entire legal system loses legitimacy." He called for bipartisan support for the reforms proposed in the legislation, arguing that protecting the rule of law should unite legislators across party lines.

The introduction of the Prohibiting Political Prosecutions Act reflects broader concerns about the integrity of the judicial system in the United States and the potential for political motivations to influence prosecutorial decisions. As the bill moves forward, its sponsors hope to gain support from both sides of the political aisle to ensure its passage.

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