Prosecution as Job Interview

Aggressive, legally novel cases against political adversaries can serve as loyalty signals that boost candidates for top law‑enforcement posts. Missouri AG Andrew Bailey indicted St. Louis County’s Democratic executive over a voter mailer, then was named co‑deputy FBI director. This creates a reward structure where prosecutorial brinkmanship becomes a career ladder. — If career incentives favor partisan prosecutions, the justice system’s neutrality erodes and future office‑seekers may escalate lawfare to gain national roles.