President Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 21, 2026, directing the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of “political bias” within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, escalating a conflict that began during his first term and has intensified in the year following his re-election. The order, released late Friday, authorizes the Attorney General to “dec lassify and make public” any documents related to the investigation, a move critics warn could compromise ongoing national security efforts.
The directive follows months of increasingly pointed attacks by President Trump on the FBI and other intelligence agencies, accusing them of harboring a “deep state” intent on undermining his presidency. These accusations, initially leveled during his first term, have gained renewed prominence as the Justice Department pursues investigations into individuals associated with the previous administration and political opponents of the President.
According to a statement released by the White House, the executive order is intended to “restore public trust” in law enforcement and ensure accountability. However, legal experts have expressed concern that the order represents a further erosion of the independence of the Justice Department and a potential violation of established norms protecting the integrity of ongoing investigations. “The scale and velocity of what he has been able to accomplish in just a year have stunned even longtime observers of authoritarian regimes,” noted a recent article in The Guardian, assessing the state of American democracy one year into Trump’s second term.
The order specifically tasks the Attorney General with reviewing documents related to the origins of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, as well as any communications between FBI officials and members of the media. The administration has repeatedly claimed, without providing conclusive evidence, that the investigation was politically motivated and based on fabricated information.
The move comes amid a broader pattern of actions by the Trump administration that have raised concerns about the state of American democracy. As reported by Verfassungsblog in November 2025, the administration is reportedly threatening nonprofits with the loss of tax-exempt status in an attempt to force them to conform their activities to the President’s political agenda. Universities and the press have also faced increased scrutiny and pressure, with the President frequently denouncing critical reporting as “fake news” and threatening legal action against media outlets.
In Dearborn, Michigan, last week, President Trump addressed a crowd at a Ford plant, stating, “Here’s the reality: President Trump was resoundingly re-elected by the American people based on his America First agenda.” This statement, reported by Reuters, underscores the President’s continued emphasis on his core political platform and his rejection of criticism from opponents and the media.
The German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) published an analysis in October 2025, noting that the U.S. “seems to be moving from liberal democracy towards an authoritarian state.” The report detailed instances of troop deployments to major cities, aggressive raids by ICE agents, and the targeting of political opponents, judges, and media organizations.
The Justice Department has not yet announced a timeline for completing the review mandated by the executive order. A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The order is expected to face legal challenges from civil liberties groups and potentially from individuals named in the investigation.
