Famed American journalist Bob Woodward has several books written on exposing the inner workings of the Trump White House. One is titled Fear, a nod to what Trump told him right after winning the 2016 election: "Real power is, I don't even want to use the word, fear." Instilling fear has indeed been Trump's chief strategy for dealing with political enemies. He never forgets a grudge, and he pursues retribution to the very end. The Financial Times ran a feature recently listing Trump's "revenge list."
The FT's Trump "revenge list" names the DOJ as chief enforcer, wielding criminal probes as its main weapon. First to fall: former National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Topping the list is former National Security Advisor John Bolton, a close friend of Jimmy Lai, who pleaded guilty last weekend and became the first name to be "taken down." Other names on the list will face judicial targeting in turn. Beyond settling personal scores, this ruthless campaign also aims to weaken the opposition camp. That explains why California Governor Gavin Newsom is the latest addition to the list.
Trump has a peculiar habit with the people he employs. Those he prizes and trusts as confidants one day can suddenly become enemies the next. Bolton is a textbook case. He pleaded guilty end of last week to improper handling of classified information. Trump once recruited him as one of his most trusted inner-circle figures, but the two fell out within just over a year and Bolton was fired. Bitter after his departure, Bolton wrote a tell-all book exposing White House secrets and trashing his former boss. That book turned him into a thorn in Trump's side.
Bolton is a China hawk, and that made him close with Jimmy Lai. He helped connect Lai directly to the White House and even met him personally in Washington in late 2019. After Bolton's falling-out with Trump, Lai suddenly lost his patron in Washington. Bolton himself soon became unable to protect even himself. Acting on Trump's orders, the Department of Justice searched Bolton's home, found classified documents, and brought charges against him. Knowing he was at the mercy of forces beyond his control, Bolton finally pleaded guilty last weekend.
The Financial Times feature notes that Bolton is merely the first enemy successfully "taken down" on Trump's revenge list. The list is long, and its names will be targeted one after another. It includes former senior officials, prosecutors, members of Congress, and even state governors. The newest addition is California Governor Gavin Newsom, seen as a potential contender for the next presidential race.
According to the report, Trump and Acting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche personally draw up the revenge campaign's strategy. Their tactics range from criminal investigations to efforts at electoral removal. The Department of Justice serves as the main enforcer.
Next in line to face criminal prosecution, following in Bolton's footsteps, is former FBI Director James Comey. He drew Trump's ire by investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and Trump fired him in 2017. Comey later wrote a book trashing his former boss, and the feud deepened over time.
Last year, Trump finally struck back. The Justice Department assigned prosecutors to charge Comey with making false statements and obstruction of justice, though a judge dismissed the case on procedural grounds.
The Justice Department, however, has not let go. It recently found a photo Comey posted on social media featuring the number "8647," and it is now charging him with intentionally threatening the president's life. The Financial Times reports that Comey is expected to be arraigned in September, with a trial to follow. If convicted, the consequences could be severe.
As for those currently under criminal investigation, the queue is long, and each will have troubles of their own ahead. The FT's list includes several heavyweight figures, among them former CIA Director John Brennan.
Brennan once bluntly accused Trump of being "obsessed with power" and suggested that the 25th Amendment could be invoked to remove him from office. That enraged Trump, who subsequently had the Justice Department launch a criminal investigation into whether Brennan lied to Congress and conspired to oust the president.
California Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Jasmine Crockett have also become targets. Both had called for Trump's impeachment, and both are now under investigation for alleged mortgage fraud. The man digging up evidence against them is Bill Pulte, a diehard Trump loyalist in charge of housing regulation. Pulte recently became Director of National Intelligence, and his successor is expected to continue the pursuit.
Under investigation on the same charge is another "enemy," Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Trump targeted her after she refused to support interest rate cuts on his command. Pulte accuses her of violating housing regulations, and she is set to face trial.
According to the Financial Times, California Governor Newsom is the latest name added to the "enemies list." The Justice Department is investigating him and his wife over alleged tax irregularities. Newsom's response: "They have not found a crime - they are simply trying to find one."
Gavin Newsom (left) is Trump's newest target, a jab tied to his 2028 presidential ambitions.
Trump's targeting of Newsom appears to serve a purpose beyond revenge. Newsom stands a strong chance of running in the next presidential election. If law enforcement can dig up wrongdoing against him, that would seriously undercut his momentum and boost the chances of whichever successor Trump anoints.
This "Trump list" offers a clear-eyed view of how American politics is riddled with personal vendettas dressed up as governance. It proves that so-called democracy, rule of law, and fairness can all too easily become nothing more than a polished illusion.
Lai Ting-yiu
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