Phil McGraw, known professionally as "Dr. Phil," commented on the weaponization of government in the wake of former President Donald Trump's recent guilty verdict in a Manhattan court last week.
McGraw made his remarks during a Monday episode of his program Dr. Phil Primetime, referring to the verdict as the "worst decisions" for American democracy.
"This weaponization of our great institutions, the FBI, Justice Department, and individual states' similar institutions, will lead to one of two outcomes," McGraw said. "One is more of the same from the other side — tit-for-tat — that may seem the right way forward, but it is not the right way forward for America."
"The other is what I call on you to demand from your politicians today: an end to this craziness in order to save the soul and sanity of our country," McGraw directed toward the audience. I don’t advocate voting for one candidate over another.
I stay in my lane, addressing human behavior collectively and culturally, focusing on how we can have maximum control in our lives and turn this ship of state called America in the right direction, getting her back on… pic.twitter.com/tsob0o31V2
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) June 4, 2024
McGraw went on to say forgiveness was key to ending the country's cultural war and political turmoil.
"We need our Justice Department to return to the business of meting out justice and not running the political agendas of those currently in power blindly seeking convictions, warranted or otherwise, and attacking political opponents," he continued, encouraging viewers to find their voice, embrace forgiveness, and focus on a path forward. "We are not some banana republic, for God's sakes. What are we gonna do next, have a Putin-poisoning posse and start finding political opponents foaming at the mouth at home not so mysteriously dying in their La-Z-Boy recliners?"
Dr. Phil went on to cite the country's current political and cultural conflict as the reason for writing his recent book, We've Got Issues. McGraw said a weaponized justice system made his skin crawl, adding he feared for the country and his grandchildren.
"Let's be honest: this is so not just about Trump. If you let your hatred for Donald Trump compromise your ability to find true north on your moral compass, shame on you," he continued. "If you let your disgust for Biden make you blind to the inevitable consequences at pursuing revenge, then God help the children who will inherit the dystopian nightmare we create."
McGraw then called on leaders to pledge an immediate end to the "vicious cycle" and return trust in government institutions that serve their intended purpose.
"We have serious problems to solve, and it will take serious people to solve them," McGraw said. "Men and women who we will hold accountable for doing that which they were selected or hired to do. They need to know we are watching, and their positions or privilege is not legacies. They work for us until they don't."
Dr. Phil insisted he wasn't claiming or seeking expertise in politics, adding he didn't advocate for voting for one political candidate over another.
"I stay in my lane addressing human behavior collectively, culturally, and am focused on how we can have maximum control in our lives and turn this ship ... called America in the right direction and get her back on track so we can be proud," he said. "This is also a call to redemption, healing, and forgiveness that leads to peace among us all, which is the most important gift we share in our dangerous world."
McGraw concluded by calling on President Joe Biden's administration to dismiss their lawfare and pledge to return to the "normal functioning" of a "rightly run government."
