What if the Department of Justice is no longer working the way you think it is?

In this explosive Part 1 of "Unconventional Times," host Richard Gordon sits down with his longtime friend and insider Dennis Burke—a former U.S. Attorney, White House advisor, and senior Homeland Security official—to pull back the curtain on the Department of Justice and reveal just how much things have changed behind closed doors.

Dennis gives a rare, candid perspective from over 30 years inside the system, breaking down how political interference and unprecedented firings of U.S. Attorneys are upending long-standing norms. What does it mean when career DOJ officials are being replaced with loyalists lacking courtroom experience? How does the DOJ balance the independence of its attorneys with presidential prerogatives, and where does it cross the line into outright politicization? Dennis shares why the recent indictments—including that of James Comey—should concern everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

Key highlights include:

• The hidden mechanisms of how U.S. Attorneys are selected and why that process is now under threat
• Shocking insider stories of discretion—and when the DOJ said “no” to federal agencies
• How recent firings and appointments signal a dangerous shift away from independent law enforcement
• The real impact of government shutdowns, and the battles inside agencies when Washington grinds to a halt
• The chilling effect of politicized retribution on prosecutors and the future of American justice
• Behind-the-scenes of Department of Homeland Security leadership—and what’s changed in the world of high-profile “law-and-order” politics

If you think the DOJ is just business as usual, this episode will make you think again—and set the groundwork for Part 2.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 – Introduction: Why DOJ changes matter for everyone

02:00 – Inside the DOJ: Political appointee vs. political actor

10:40 – The problem of loyalty appointments (and Todd Blanche)

15:33 – What does a U.S. Attorney actually do?

22:26 – When (and why) prosecutors refuse to take cases

24:41 – How DOJ oversight of U.S. Attorneys really works

32:34 – The politics behind U.S. Attorney firings and appointments

40:17 – Breakdown: Unconfirmed, interim U.S. Attorneys and Senate’s abdication

44:22 – The James Comey indictment as a warning sign

50:29 – The chilling effect on DOJ staff and the cost of “retribution”

53:07 – Government shutdowns: What really happens inside agencies

60:37 – The evolution of the Homeland Security Secretary (and media theater)

64:17 – Outro and tease for Part 2

Don’t miss this rare, in-depth conversation that challenges what you thought you knew about justice and power in America