In the initial 100 days of his second presidential term, Donald Trump has undertaken an extensive and multifaceted campaign aimed at retaliating against a broad array of individuals and institutions. This campaign targets over 100 entities, including political figures, former government officials, media organisations, universities, law firms, international student protesters, and even members of the judiciary.

The Trump administration has employed a wide range of government mechanisms to pursue this agenda of retribution. Actions have included criminal investigations, detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), contract bans, revocation of security clearances, and terminations of employment. The campaign has been marked by rapid and sweeping measures, exemplified by a week in April where the president ordered criminal probes into former administration officials, initiated investigations into state officials over immigration policies, and imposed stringent demands on Harvard University regarding diversity programs and student groups.

Among those targeted are figures involved in investigations of Trump and his allies. Letitia James, the New York attorney general responsible for a successful fraud lawsuit against Trump, has faced allegations of falsifying property records sent to the Justice Department by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which James has called “baseless.” The administration has also acted against prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 Capitol attack cases, including the firing of former assistant U.S. attorney Sean Brennan, who stated that his termination was explicitly linked to his work on these prosecutions.

Political opponents have not been exempt. Representative Robert Garcia of California revealed that he and other Democrats received letters from the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, seeking clarifications on statements that were interpreted as threats. Garcia condemned these as attempts to intimidate elected officials opposing Trump-aligned interests.

Additionally, the administration has taken steps against “disloyal” former officials from Trump’s first term, including Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official who publicly criticised Trump. Security clearances have been revoked for multiple individuals, including Dr Anthony Fauci and John Bolton, while investigations have been opened into others such as retired General Mark Milley.

The Trump administration has also pursued international students involved in protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, leading to visa revocations and deportation efforts. One notable case is that of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident who was detained by ICE following his participation in protests.

Universities have become a focal point for this campaign, with investigations, funding freezes, and demands to end diversity initiatives being imposed on institutions such as Harvard, Cornell, Northwestern, and Columbia. Harvard’s refusal to comply with federal demands has led to a freeze on over $2.2 billion in federal funding, much of it related to medical research and hospitals. Other universities have negotiated partial compliance under pressure, though some university officials have decried government interference in academic independence.

Law firms also face unprecedented pressures, including bans on federal contracts, loss of security clearances, and accusations of facilitating election misconduct. Firms such as Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie, and Susman Godfrey have been specifically named. While some firms have litigated successfully against these actions, others have agreed to government conditions to avoid sanctions, a move criticised within legal circles for undermining professional independence.

Media organisations have been another target. The Federal Communications Commission has launched investigations into major broadcasters, and the White House has indicated plans to cut funding for PBS and NPR. The Associated Press was barred from certain White House events due to refusal to comply with renaming the Gulf of Mexico. Trump has also pursued personal legal actions against media outlets, including CBS News and pollsters, alleging biased or fraudulent reporting.

The extensive review by NPR highlights the administration’s use of vast federal powers to pursue what it frames as lawful actions but which critics see as a wide-scale exercise of political retribution. These moves have generated significant legal challenges, with courts frequently blocking administrative orders on constitutional grounds. Targets of the campaign report profound personal and professional consequences, with some choosing silence out of fear of retaliation.

This campaign is characterised by its broad scope across governmental agencies including the Departments of Justice, Defense, Homeland Security, Education, Health and Human Services, the IRS, the FCC, and others. The administration’s approach reflects President Trump’s longstanding rhetoric promising retribution against perceived enemies and an emphasis on loyalty within government ranks. Amidst the unfolding developments, the White House has declined to provide interviews or respond to detailed inquiries about this expansive series of actions.

Source: Noah Wire Services