Who will stand up and oppose it?': Trump's relentless campaign of retribution in his second term

"During his first year in the White House, Donald Trump has pursued a campaign of retribution unlike any other president in US history. Returning to the White House after surviving two impeachments and four different criminal cases against him, Trump has used the might of the federal government to punish those he believes have wronged him."

"In 2016, I declared: I am your voice. Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution, he said in a 2023 speech at CPAC, the annual conservative political conference, leaving little doubt about what he would do in a second term in the White House."

"Late last year, a Reuters tally estimated Trump had pursued retribution against 470 people and organizations, ranging from foreign governments to federal employees. To name just a few examples: he has fired career prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases and Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who filed federal criminal charges against him. His administration has indicted Letitia James, the New York attorney general and the former FBI director James Comey, and dismissed career lawyers who objected to doing so."

Donald Trump has pursued an extensive campaign of retribution during his first year back in the White House. He channels grievances from his political rise into governance and directs federal power to punish perceived opponents. He publicly vowed to act as a warrior, justice, and retribution for supporters. A Reuters tally found about 470 targets, spanning foreign governments, federal employees, elected officials, and institutions. Actions include firing career prosecutors and special counsel staff, indicting state and federal figures, dismissing objecting career lawyers, deploying a housing agency to target political foes, and prompting a criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.

Read at www.theguardian.com