Where Tyranny Begins

The Justice Department, the FBI, and the War on Democracy

By: David Rohde

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

Over the course of his presidency, Donald Trump intimidated, silenced, and bent to his will Justice Department and FBI officials. He sowed public doubt in both agencies so successfully that when he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election, he paid little political cost and, despite an unprecedented array of criminal indictments, easily won the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

In Where Tyranny Begins, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Rohde investigates the strategies Trump systematically used to turn the country's two most powerful law-enforcement agencies into his personal political weapons. Rohde also reveals how, during the Biden years, Justice Department non-partisan 1970s norms that Attorney General Merrick Garland reinforced inadvertently helped Trump, and could fail to deliver a trial and legal accountability by Election Day 2024.

Where Tyranny Begins exposes how ill-suited both the DOJ and FBI are to serve as checks on abuses of presidential power. A round of historic reforms equivalent to the post-Watergate reforms that stabilized American democracy in the 1970s are immediately needed. A five-word warning coined by the English philosopher John Locke in 1689 captures the stakes in 2024: "Where-ever law ends, tyranny begins."

©2024 David Rohde (P)2024 Tantor

History!

In deoth Factual reporting brought to light much of which I wasn't aware. Every American shoukd read it.

“Where Tyranny Begins” Captures the Attempted Coup

Especially if you thought you paid attention to the various attempts to discard the rule of law for a megalomaniac’s desire for power, you will benefit from listening to this account of the White House turmoil under #45. TFG failed due to his own incompetence, and the incompetence of those who were willing to do his bidding, despite the failings of people who knew better, or should have known better.

Far too many people have stopped thinking, and became victims of their own pride, and social networks. Will America be that lucky twice, or will the MAGAs actually win? I hope we don’t find out that our education system, & our justice system has failed us.

There are enough factual accounts of what Trump’s game really was, to get a competent jury to convict him. Of course there are also folks who would indict a baloney sandwich. This account won a Pulitzer Prize because it does a good job of being fair, without equating everything. Well worth the time & effort! Highly recommended.

Detailed Facts

I learned more about how politics actually work and about various important individuals within that realm.

When we let bullies win

What happens when each of us (including Bill Barr, etc.) all compromise our values a bit (or a lot) for convenience rather than truth.

Very Objective

Almost dry. The style is classic journalism and the author strives to step back from his subject, tell the facts and provide the opinions of witnesses and participants. It’s a neat summary of what has happened as a result of Trump and a snapshot of where that leaves us. Liberal talking points are not included. The book sticks strictly to the legal issues.

I learned a few things - especially about the Mueller Investigation and the classified documents case.

I want to listen again and will.

This is one of the best books I’ve read on the threat of Trump.

Vital chronological recap of events

For me, this book became a cap audible “page“ once I started listening to it, I could not stop. I finish this book in one sitting. The details of political turmoil rolling the United States. Currently this book should be required reading all voters in the 24 election cycle. That’s how much I like it.

Democrats read this book

Excellent account of the most corrupt president in the history of the United States. He must be stopped.

The creeping misuse of the presidency and the courts throughout the 20 and 21 centuries.

It seems that the lack of shame and no value of the history of the US and the willingness-to commit crimes and claim that he has the right as president to commit these crimes has put the US democracy in grave danger.

We all knew

Great insights to the presidency of Trump. Interesting to hear from within. Trump indeed is all the things we know him to be. This audiobook is easy to listen to and very captivating. Well written and very well narrated.

The Price of Apathy

As a longtime fan of history, political philosophy, and the power of storytelling, Where Tyranny Begins by Jason Stanley is an essential and deeply relevant listen. Much like his previous work, How Propaganda Works, this book dissects how language, ideology, and social structures lay the foundation for oppressive regimes—not through sudden revolutions, but through gradual shifts in rhetoric and policy that erode democratic values.

Stanley has a gift for making complex philosophical and historical concepts accessible. His analysis is both sharp and unsettlingly timely, showing how patterns of tyranny repeat throughout history and why recognizing them early is crucial. The audiobook narration is clear and engaging, making even the more theoretical discussions feel urgent and compelling.