Подход Гаца: Фокус на политических оппонентах Трампа
Судя по публичным заявлениям Гаца и выразительным жалобам самого Трампа, вполне вероятно, что Министерство юстиции под руководством этого верного соратника займется расследованиями тех, кто в своё время смел задеть честь и достоинство 45-го президента. Сам Гац не скрывает: многие из тех, кто когда-то пытался «опрокинуть» Трампа, по его мнению, действовали не по законам, и даже не по понятиям, а просто по политическим мотивам — то есть занимались полным беспределом. Так что у Гаца глаза горят жаждой восстановить справедливость — да так, что хоть сейчас возглавляй опричнину, где Гац хочет быть либо Малютой Скуратовым, либо Лаврентием Палычем Берией, только непонятно, кем конкретно.
А Трампа, надо сказать, понять можно. Когда вокруг столько «доброжелателей», грозящих и шумящих, как в плохом гангстерском фильме, невольно почувствуешь себя героем саги — где выживают только сильные. А «сильные» прекрасно понимают: или ты, или тебя. Так что Лаврентий Палыч, говоря своё знаменитое «был бы человек, а статья найдётся», был, видимо, не так уж и далёк от истины. В большом бизнесе и политике такие истины иногда становятся почти законами выживания. Может, Трамп и не мафиози, но разве он не знает, что с врагами шутить — себе дороже? Убери их сейчас, иначе завтра на твоём месте могут оказаться они.
Вот тут-то на сцену и выходит наш доблестный Гац — прямо с решимостью Майкла Корлеоне. И ведёт его не столько месть, сколько, как выражаются некоторые, необходимость. Потому что, по мнению Трампа, враги нависли над ним, как тучи над Нью-Йорком. И хотя кто-то может называть это «политической расправой», у них своё видение: это просто способ обезопасить собственное будущее. Ничего личного, просто бизнес.
В такой атмосфере несложно представить, что Гац найдёт способ «поставить на место» всех, кто осмелился бросить вызов. И если удастся раздобыть пару доказательств коррупции, то изобличение станет лишь логичным финалом — прямой отсылкой к эпохе Босса Твида с его системой «рент» на пользу верных соратников. Ну и, разумеется, метод Лаврентия Палыча придётся как нельзя кстати: ведь в политике «был бы человек, а статья найдётся».
В итоге Министерство юстиции под началом Гаца превращается в арбитра последней инстанции, где правоохранительные органы решительно переходят от беспристрастности к позиции «или они, или мы». Здесь полумеры неуместны — только полный контроль над ситуацией и беспощадная нейтрализация всех потенциальных угроз.
Headline: Trump, Biden, and the Boss Tweed Effect: How a Gaetz-Led DOJ Could Reshape American Justice
By a math-trained LLM, with minimal edits by Joe Haykov
As Donald Trump considers key appointments, Congressman Matt Gaetz has emerged as a choice for Attorney General. Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally, has consistently criticized past investigations targeting Trump, positioning himself as someone who would hold Trump’s perceived adversaries accountable. Regardless of one’s view on the validity of these past investigations, the anticipated impact of a Gaetz-led Department of Justice (DOJ) would mark a significant shift in American justice—and calls to mind an era of influence personified by the infamous Boss Tweed.
The Boss Tweed Parallel: Trump, Biden, or Both?
Boss Tweed, the notorious head of Tammany Hall in 19th-century New York, is a historical figure known for using political influence to consolidate power and reward allies, engaging in rent-seeking behavior that ultimately led to his conviction. While public choice theory, as defined by James Buchanan, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Economics, characterizes rent-seeking as noncriminal in itself, Tweed’s machine pushed these behaviors to the extreme, manipulating government contracts and resources to benefit loyalists, resulting in proven corruption.
Viewed through this lens, one could argue that either Trump or Biden (or elements within their administrations) might be acting out a version of Tweed’s playbook. While it’s impossible to say definitively which side more closely mirrors Tweed’s tactics, each has faced accusations of favoritism, rent-seeking, and prioritizing loyalty within their respective spheres of influence. The question of who may be “the Boss Tweed of today” remains open, hinging on whether a Gaetz-led DOJ uncovers evidence of wrongdoing against Trump, or, conversely, pursues a partisan agenda against Biden and his allies.
Gaetz’s Approach: A Focus on Trump’s Political Opponents
Based on Gaetz’s public statements and Trump’s expressed grievances, it’s highly likely that a Gaetz-led DOJ would prioritize investigations of individuals and groups that previously scrutinized Trump. Gaetz has made it clear that he believes many of Trump’s opponents acted without legitimate grounds, expressing a desire to hold them accountable for actions he views as politically motivated.
Trump, meanwhile, may perceive these past prosecutions as personal threats to his freedom, legacy, and survival in the political sphere. Much like Michael Corleone in The Godfather, who saw no choice but to eliminate his enemies to protect himself and his family, Trump may feel that his survival depends on neutralizing those he believes tried to end his political career and jeopardize his freedom. In The Godfather, Michael’s famous decision to eliminate rival family heads, symbolized by the phrase “it’s nothing personal, it’s just business,” underscores the notion that survival sometimes requires decisive, ruthless actions, especially in a landscape where no alternative outcome seems possible.
In this vein, Trump’s reliance on Gaetz could reflect a similar calculation—one where the perceived “attempt on his life and freedom” means that any show of leniency could leave him vulnerable to future threats. Thus, for Trump, this may not feel like mere retaliation; it may feel like an existential necessity, where he must act against his adversaries before they act against him. A Gaetz-led DOJ would be the tool for such a mission, acting decisively to investigate and potentially prosecute Trump’s critics to ensure Trump’s own security and influence.
If Gaetz were to uncover undeniable evidence of corruption, he could make a case that elements of the opposition mirrored Tweed’s system of “rent-seeking,” using government resources for political gain. In this scenario, a Gaetz-led DOJ would serve as a force of reckoning, exposing what Trump and Gaetz see as a pattern of political retribution that risked Trump’s future and perhaps even his freedom.
For Trump and Gaetz, then, a return to power may feel like the final act in a long struggle for survival. They may see their actions as necessary steps in ensuring that no political rivals are left in positions to threaten them again—no different from Michael Corleone’s drive to eliminate his adversaries once and for all. This “Godfather” mindset signals a dramatic shift in how the DOJ might operate, driven less by the impartial administration of justice and more by the logic of survival: either Trump or his perceived adversaries will emerge victorious, with no room for compromise.
Two Potential Outcomes for Public Trust
Improved Trust if Accusations Are Proven:
If a Gaetz-led DOJ finds concrete, indisputable evidence that past investigations into Trump were politically motivated or corrupt, it might strengthen public trust. Americans may view Gaetz’s actions as a needed correction, akin to rooting out “Tammany Hall-style” misuse of power. This could reshape public perception, portraying the DOJ as working to restore integrity.
This outcome would parallel historical moments when exposing proven corruption, as in the case of Tweed’s conviction, helped reinforce the public’s belief in justice and accountability.
Risk of Diminished Trust if Perceived as Retributive:
Conversely, if Gaetz aggressively targets political opponents without providing compelling evidence, the public may view his actions as partisan. This would invoke the darker side of the Boss Tweed metaphor, where power becomes a tool for maintaining control rather than upholding justice.
If Gaetz’s actions are seen as retaliatory, public trust could erode, especially among those who view the DOJ as a non-partisan institution. This risk mirrors the fallout from McCarthy-era investigations, where perceptions of ideological bias damaged public confidence in government integrity.
Broader Implications: A Society Split Over Competing Narratives
Beyond the immediate role of the DOJ, a Gaetz-led agenda could amplify social and political divides, pushing Americans further into opposing camps. When prominent figures are investigated under partisan perceptions, it can heighten social tension, as both sides feel vindicated in their own narrative. One narrative may view Gaetz as exposing Tweed-like corruption, while the other may see him as extending a Tweed-like influence to Trump’s sphere.
Conclusion: A DOJ at a Crossroads in a Time of Boss Tweed Parallels
The potential appointment of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General represents a turning point. Whether this shift ultimately strengthens or weakens public trust will depend on the evidence presented and the perceived impartiality of Gaetz’s actions. The figure of Boss Tweed serves as a reminder of the risks of rent-seeking and power consolidation, and the public may view either Trump’s or Biden’s allies through this lens.
Ultimately, this choice of Attorney General underscores the importance of transparency and accountability. If evidence is presented that proves corruption, public trust may be restored in the same way New Yorkers celebrated Tweed’s downfall. However, if the DOJ is seen as wielding power for personal or partisan ends, this era could go down in history as a modern echo of the Boss Tweed effect—where influence, rather than impartiality, guides justice.