"Abso-fu**ng-lutely Not!" Justice Department gets shut down in court - Brian Tyler Cohen

Legal Breakdown episode 644: Justice Department tries and fails to indict Democratic officials.

====================

• DOJ attempted to indict 6 members of Congress (including Senators Kelly and Slotkin) for stating that military members must disobey unlawful orders - a fundamental principle taught in military training

• Grand jury rejected the indictment request, serving as a "firewall" against what Glenn characterizes as prosecutorial abuse by the Trump administration's DOJ

• The targeted lawmakers have legal protections including the Speech or Debate Clause, which shields members of Congress for statements made in their official capacity

• Potential consequences for prosecutors include civil lawsuits (not subject to presidential pardons), state bar complaints that could lead to disbarment, and personal financial liability

• Alternative prosecution routes remain possible, including filing misdemeanor charges (which don't require grand jury approval) or using other government agencies for retaliation

• The case demonstrates the principle that presidential pardons only apply to federal criminal prosecutions, not civil lawsuits or state bar disciplinary actions