Before the Trump era, “lawfare” and “weaponization” weren’t exactly household terms. Now, with the federal indictment of President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton, they’re the topic du jour. The Justice Department is on a tear, going after the president’s perceived enemies. In some analysts’ view, Mr. Trump’s critics opened the door to retribution.

First to be indicted was former FBI Director James Comey, followed by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Mr. Bolton is a case of a former ally who has become a bitter enemy. More indictments are expected. As my story in today’s Daily lays out, the echoes of President Richard Nixon’s “enemies list” ring loud.

The safeguards put in place after the Nixon era are crumbling. As Mary McCord, a former senior federal prosecutor, puts it, “We’ve just crossed a Rubicon here.”