Problems related to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families have persisted for years. But when U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha recently unveiled the findings of a probe into DCYF, state officials stood up and took notice. Cunha is the top federal prosecutor in the state, and his office has enormous power. After being nominated by President Biden in 2021, Cunha has pursued federal prosecutors’ standard approach in zeroing in on crimes involving drugs, fraud, guns, and violence. But these are not normal times. If Donald Trump retakes the White House in November, he is expected to remake the Justice Department, and Trump says he’d consider pardoning people who rioted at the capitol on January sixth. So what’s it like pursuing the rule of law in the time of Trump? And how much difference can federal officials make in improving the lives of vulnerable kids? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island Zachary Cunha.

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