50 legal experts on the Trump presidency
They’re very, very worried.
The New York Times Magazine
October 12, 2025

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the magazine surveyed 50 members of what might be called the Washington legal establishment — Republicans and Democrats — about their expectations for the Justice Department and the rule of law if Donald Trump were re-elected. A majority said they were alarmed. But several dissenters countered that those fears were overblown. We recently returned to our group with a new survey and follow-up interviews about Trump’s impact on the rule of law since retaking office. The responses captured almost universal fear and anguish over the transformation of the Justice Department into a tool of the White House.

A judge’s gavel is taped to the handle of an ax, which rests head down against a red backdrop.

Photo illustration by Derek Brahney

‘Bow to the Emperor’: We Asked 50 Legal Experts About the Trump Presidency

Before the election, we surveyed the legal establishment about what a second Trump term could mean for the rule of law. A year later, they’re very, very worried.

By Emily Bazelon

A photo illustration shows a black-and-white photograph of a young man’s face covered by rectangles that show eyes and other images.

Photo illustration by Mike McQuade

Ideas

Thomas Pynchon Saw Where America Was Headed. What Does He See Now?

The novelist anticipated our bizarre present. How does his latest book hold up in an age of eroding reality?

By Parul Sehgal

Article Image

Photo illustration by Alice Isaac

They Got to Live a Life of Luxury. Then Came the Fine Print.

‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ has built a delirious new culture of consumption — and trapped users in a vortex of debt.

By Amy X. Wang

MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE

A photo illustration of a Celsius drink shaped like a rocket.

Photo illustration by Derek Brahney

Consumed

If an Energy Drink Drank an Energy Drink, You’d Get a Celsius

How a turbocharged upstart brand came to threaten Red Bull and Monster’s dominance.

By Molly Young

Article Image

On Language

The Suffix That Tells Us to Ruthlessly Optimize Everything

From game theory to incels, how everything got ‘-maxxed.'

By Nitsuh Abebe

A photo illustration of The Sims characters in prisms.

Photo illustration by Erik Carter

Screenland

Life Got Hard. The Sims Got Easy.

As the daily grind becomes “gamified,” players are nostalgic for older, more chaotic versions of the life simulation game

By Kim Hew-Low

Article Image

Illustration by Ohni Lisle

Letter of Recommendation

Lie About Your Age. It’s Fun!

Free, easy and old-fashioned, lying is an anti-aging supplement for the masses.

By Paul McAdory

Article Image

Illustration by Tomi Um

The Ethicist

My Liberal Friend Won’t Protest. Do I Drop Her?

I feel like apathy is how we got here in the first place.

By Kwame Anthony Appiah

An illustration of John Hodgman in judge’s robes, holding a gavel.

Illustration by Louise Zergaeng Pomeroy

Judge John Hodgman

Do Spouses Have Mustache Veto Power?

A ruling on a dispute over the limits of facial-hair autonomy.

By John Hodgman

Stay in touch:

Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow.

Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com.

Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter.

For narrated versions of our articles and more audio journalism, download New York Times Audio, a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times.

To stop receiving The New York Times Magazine, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

xinstagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018