Why nothing has happened — the structural reasons
Divided government until 2025. Democrats controlled the Senate and White House 2021-2025, so they could block trials and prosecutions.
High legal bar. "Accountability" in politics often means losing an election, not going to jail. Impeachment requires 67 Senate votes. Criminal cases require proof beyond reasonable doubt of a specific statute.
The pardon power. Biden's pardon of Hunter ended that case. Trump has now pardoned over 200 Jan 6 defendants, showing both parties use the power to protect allies.
DOJ independence (in theory). Even under Trump, Bondi has declined to prosecute Mayorkas, Fauci, and others, citing weak cases.
What IS happening in 2026
Trump is trying a different form of accountability:
Investigations, not prosecutions. The DOJ has opened "preliminary reviews" into the Lloyd's List leak (targeting Schumer staff), into ActBlue fundraising, and into the Virginia redistricting dark money.
Civil penalties. The House is moving to strip federal pensions from former of
