+ massive U.S. aid to Ukraine has limits US Edition - Today's top story: The weaponization of the federal government has a long history [View in browser]( US Edition | 19 January 2023 [The Conversation]
[The Conversation]( I donât like the word âweaponization,â largely because itâs a trendy word that gets used too much, and often inaccurately, as is the case with many hip words. But sometimes â rarely â its use is justified. Thatâs the case with University of Virginia scholar Ken Hughesâ story this week, â[The weaponization of the federal government has a long history](.â Hughesâ piece is a reflection on how President Richard Nixon used the IRS to go after his enemies, encouraging the agency to investigate prominent Democrats. Hughes was prompted to write by two recent developments: the House GOPâs formation of a âSelect Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Governmentâ and revelations by former President Donald Trumpâs chief of staff, John Kelly, that Trump wanted the IRS to audit his perceived enemies. âAre we looking over the financial contributors of the Democratic National Committee?â Nixon asked his chief of staff on Aug. 3, 1972. âAre we running their income tax returns?â âNot as far as I know,â said H.R. âBobâ Haldeman. âWe have all this power and we arenât using it. Now, what the Christ is the matter?â Nixon asked. Hughes has spent two decades âlistening to Nixon abuse powerâ via his study of the Nixon tapes at the University of Virginiaâs Miller Center. His story is lively proof that the, um, weaponization of the federal government does go way back. Naomi Schalit Democracy Editor
President Nixon urged the IRS to audit his perceived enemies; Donald Trump wanted to do the same. LPettet/ iStock / Getty Images Plus
[The weaponization of the federal government has a long history]( Ken Hughes, University of Virginia The House GOP is scrutinizing federal investigators for alleged abuses of power. But will they probe abuses that may have been committed by members of their own party?
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went to the White House during a surprise visit to the U.S. in December 2022. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
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Rep. George Santos leaves the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 12, 2023, followed by reporters. Win McNamee/Getty Images
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