The return of Donald Trump to the presidency has reignited fears among those who have opposed him, not just from potential criminal charges but also from more subtle forms of retaliation including challenges in renewing passports, audits from the IRS, and even the loss of federal pensions.
Within hours of taking office, Trump took action against former intelligence officials who had opposed him during the 2020 election. He ordered the revocation of security clearances for dozens of such individuals, accusing them of betraying him by supporting Joe Biden or turning against his administration. The loss of clearances can have significant consequences for former officials who now work in the private sector, especially in defense contracting, where access to classified information is essential.
“Anyone who has ever disagreed with Trump must be concerned about retribution,” said John Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser and has become one of his most vocal critics, as reported by The Associated Press. “There’s a long list of people who are very worried right now.”
As Trump’s critics brace for potential consequences, outgoing President Joe Biden made a bold move to protect some of those most at risk. Just before leaving office, Biden issued preemptive pardons to individuals who had been frequent targets of Trump’s ire, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and those involved in the investigation of the January 6th Capitol attack. He also extended pardons to members of his own family, citing the toll that politically motivated investigations had taken on the safety and financial well-being of the individuals and their families.
Trump’s focus on revenge has been a consistent theme since leaving office. Then, upon taking office again, Trump wasted no time in taking executive actions to settle scores. His first moves included stripping security clearances from former intelligence officers and revoking Secret Service protection for Bolton, who has faced threats from Iranian operatives. These actions were just the beginning of what many fear could be a broader campaign of retaliation against those who have opposed him.
The federal government controls a vast array of tools that can be used to target individuals, from issuing fines and audits to controlling critical services like passport renewals. While many government functions are designed to be apolitical, the potential for a president to wield this power for personal vendettas has raised alarms.
“If you control the executive branch and are willing to disregard the rules, you can cause a great deal of harm,” said Barton Gellman, a senior adviser at the Brennan Center for Justice.
Gellman’s concerns were echoed in a series of simulations conducted to test how U.S. institutions would respond to a presidency that uses government resources to punish political opponents. These simulations, which involved a bipartisan group of former governors, military officials, and civil society leaders, demonstrated that government institutions would likely bend to a president’s will if pushed far enough.
The simulations also revealed that public opinion could be one of the few forces capable of checking such behavior. “Most Americans would not stand for a president using his powers to harm political enemies,” Gellman said, referencing a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll that found 73% of Americans opposed such actions.
In response, legal and advocacy organizations are mobilizing to help those who may find themselves targeted by Trump. Norm Eisen, a former U.S. ambassador and veteran attorney, is working with the State Democracy Defenders Fund to assist individuals who could be in the crosshairs of Trump’s administration. Mark Zaid, a Washington-based attorney representing several former officials whose security clearances were revoked, is also organizing resources to help those at risk. Zaid’s efforts include lining up legal teams, accountants, and mental health professionals to support those who may need assistance in the coming months.
“There’s not much we can do until something happens,” Zaid said, “but we’re preparing to act swiftly when the time comes.”
