Staff Reports
In the ongoing investigations into both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, the federal government’s secrecy and perceived political motives are eroding public trust, according to analysts. The recent disclosure of previously redacted details in the Florida classified documents case against Trump has left critics questioning the justifications for the redactions and the revelations. Similarly, government agencies have faced criticism for withholding information about President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, regarding their foreign business dealings and alleged bribery scheme.
Adding fuel to the fire, White House visitor logs revealed that President Biden’s staff met with a Department of Justice prosecution team member before Trump’s indictment in Florida, despite previous denials of involvement from the Biden administration. These incidents have contributed to a credibility crisis for the DOJ and other federal agencies, as people become increasingly distrustful of their actions.
The negative perceptions surrounding the DOJ’s handling of these cases have caused public trust in the department to reach an all-time low, according to legal scholar Jonathan Turley. Many Americans believe that Trump’s prosecutions are politically motivated, which only adds to the suspicion of the Justice Department. Such actions erode people’s faith in the justice system when unnecessary secrecy is involved. These concerns resonate even more when it appears that officials could be covering up crimes or engaging in overreactions, as is possible in the Biden probe.
The current state of affairs raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency. While the U.S. government claims to operate under a presumption of openness, its actions often contradict this principle. Government agencies tend to withhold more information than necessary while occasionally disclosing details that should remain confidential. These actions can lead to speculation about hidden motivations and impact public perception of the justice system.
After officials disclosed previously blacked-out details in the Trump classified documents case, critics struggled to find justifications for the redactions.
Agencies are also under fire for withholding information about Biden and his son, #HunterBiden. https://t.co/THs9X7JoUa
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) August 31, 2023
One example of this is the case against Trump, where the Department of Justice initially hid certain statements then later disclosed them in the Florida case. Former Trump White House staffer Kash Patel expressed confusion about the DOJ’s decision to redact and later disclose specific statements that did not appear to contain classified or sensitive information. These over-redactions are typical of the government’s tendency to withhold information unnecessarily. However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart reviewed the redacted information and found it reasonable, suggesting that there may be valid reasons for keeping certain details under wraps.
The increasing secrecy and over-redactions in these highly politicized cases have created a trend that observers find concerning. Critics argue that the DOJ is being more cautious due to the potential political implications of releasing information about Trump’s cases. Republicans have also encountered resistance while investigating the Bidens’ activities, further fueling suspicions of a two-tiered system of justice. The lack of transparency from government agencies fosters a perception that political enemies are targeted while political allies receive preferential treatment.
Overall, the erosion of public trust in the DOJ and federal agencies stems from their perceived secrecy and potentially political motives. The withholding of information without apparent justification, coupled with the selective release of certain details, undermines faith in the justice system. Ultimately, it is up to judges to critically review the government’s requests for secrecy and ensure that transparency prevails in these cases.
