Hi there, everyone. It's 4 o'clock in New York. For the next four years, there will be a lot to cover

and report on in the category of norm busting and grifting, unqualified individuals doing previously

unheard of things at top government agencies.

While Donald Trump crows about a so-called mandate and Republicans in Congress feel around for

whatever remains of their sense of duty and accountability to the Constitution and the rule of law.

For that reason, it will be important to track mile markers or signposts along

various trajectories. One we have focused on a whole lot around here is democratic norms versus

autocratic impulses. And in that category, Donald Trump made a very big move yesterday, tapping

someone who departs perhaps as dramatically as any other pick from the

normal parameters for the individual overseeing the civil rights division at the Department

of Justice. In her case, Trump is letting the Fox guard the henhouse. Taping a loyalist who has at

every single turn since the 2020 election and the emergence of the big lie

enabled Donald Trump's attacks on voting and democratic norms in the name of Trump's lie about voter fraud leading to his defeat in 2020.

Her name is Harmeet Dillon, and she is Donald Trump's pick to lead the DOJ Civil Rights Division.

It's a branch of the Justice Department the New York Times describes like this, quote,

The Division enforces voting rights laws, investigates police departments, and brings charges for

violations of people's civil rights. The division's own website proudly states this, quote,

we uphold the civil rights of all people in the United States.

It is a solemn and important responsibility.

If there is a through line in Dylan's legal work over the last few years,

it is that she has supported Donald Trump over anything and

everyone else. New York Times writes this, quote, Ms. Dylan has been a conservative activist so

...