Trump’s Potential Targets for ‘Retribution’

Trump’s Promises of Retribution: A Look at His Targets in Office

As President-elect, Donald J. Trump has not held back in expressing his intent to wield the extensive powers of his office with a vengeance against those he perceives as adversaries. Over the past few years, Trump has been vocal about a myriad of individuals whom he believes have wronged him, going so far as to lay out what he thinks should happen to them.

In a rally in 2023, Trump distinctly captured his motivations with the statement, “I am your warrior, I am your justice… And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution.” This pledge signals his readiness to pursue retribution against a long list of figures, sparking considerable controversy and concern regarding the potential implications of such sentiments from a sitting president.

Among those frequently targeted by Trump are prosecutors and judges. One prominent figure is Jack Smith, the Justice Department special counsel who oversaw the indictments against Trump for election interference and the mishandling of classified documents. Trump’s contempt for Smith was publicly aired when he labeled him as “mentally deranged” and suggested he should be “thrown out of the country” back in October 2024.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has also been a focal point of Trump’s ire, especially following her lawsuit against Trump regarding the valuation of his real estate, which purportedly cost him hundreds of millions. Trump was quick to charge that James should “be prosecuted” during a statement in November 2023. Similarly, New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur F. Engoron, who presided over James’s case against Trump, faced threats of arrest from the former president during a campaign rally.

The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, drew Trump’s wrath after a felony conviction was handed down against him. Trump asserted in March 2023 that Bragg should be held accountable for “interference in a presidential election”. Another key figure in Trump’s crosshairs is Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County DA who indicted Trump in a separate election interference case in Georgia; Trump claimed she should be impeached in August 2023 for her actions.

Trump has not restrained his retaliation to legal figures but has also zeroed in on those involved in the investigation into the January 6 Capitol attacks. Notably, Liz Cheney, vice-chairman of the House select committee investigating the assault, drew Trump’s ire when he stated she “should go to jail” for her actions against him in March 2023. He expanded his criticism to include all committee members, labeling them as treasonous.

The fallout extends further into the realm of the military and Trump’s first-term foes. General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been accused by Trump of treason for his communications with China during the tumultuous post-election period of 2020. Trump described Milley as a “woke train wreck” and suggested that past punishment for such an act could be death, a stark reflection of the heightened rhetoric surrounding these matters.

High-profile former aides, including Michael D. Cohen, who once served as Trump’s lawyer, have also found themselves in the path of Trump’s retribution-laden commentary. Trump blamed Cohen for the legal troubles during Trump’s first term and insisted that he should be prosecuted for his misdeeds in March 2023. John R. Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, experienced similar treatment, being labeled a “washed-up creepster” who should face significant legal consequences due to his tell-all book published during the 2020 election.

The "Deep State" has become a staple target in Trump’s retribution narrative, with several former FBI officials enduring his scorn. James Comey, the former FBI director, faced accusations of treason from Trump after he was fired during an investigation into Russian interference. Trump has suggested that former officials, including Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, and a collective of 51 intelligence officials who questioned the motives behind the Hunter Biden laptop coverage, should also be prosecuted for their alleged wrongdoings.

Furthermore, Trump’s disdain extends into the political arena where leading Democrats such as President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama find themselves in the line of fire. Trump has promised to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden’s alleged corruption and has claimed Obama committed treason. He even went so far as to call for military tribunals for certain actions taken by Obama.

As the countdown to the commencement of Trump’s presidency continues, it is becoming increasingly evident that his administration will prioritize retribution and accountability for those he perceives as enemies. The implications could lead to an unprecedented political landscape where vindictive actions and prosecutions replace the traditional norms of governance. With a roster of targets that includes judges, prosecutors, military officials, and political opponents, it remains to be seen how far Trump is willing to go in fulfilling his promise of retribution once he assumes office.