Retaliation or governance? How Trump leverages govt power to consolidate influence, intimidate critics

Experts believes that Donald Trump’s political playbook has long cantered on using government authority to target critics and consolidate influence and recent actions suggest he is now fully implementing that strategy.

From legal investigations to military deployments, the president is expanding the reach of his office in ways that alarm political observers and legal experts alike.

On Friday, the FBI searched the home of John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, who last week described the administration as “the retribution presidency.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s team has opened inquiries into figures such as New York Attorney General Letitia James, who sued Trump’s company over alleged record falsification, and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who led the House impeachment proceedings against Trump during his first term.

Other targets under scrutiny include Rep. LaMonica McIver, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Trump critics from his first administration, Miles Taylor and Chris Krebs.

The investigations follow a pattern of retaliation Trump promised during his campaign, particularly after facing multiple indictments related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election, one of which the Supreme Court dismissed citing presidential immunity for official acts.

“Joe Biden weaponised his administration to target political opponents – most famously, President Trump,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, adding that Trump “is restoring law and order.”

Beyond legal measures, Trump has deployed the military domestically, sending National Guard and federal law enforcement to patrol major cities, including Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, ostensibly to combat crime or assist with immigration enforcement.

“You combine the threat of prosecution with armed troops in the streets,” said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. “The picture is pretty clear for anyone who’s read a history book what kind of administration we’re dealing with.”

Trump has also leveraged pardons and personnel changes to consolidate influence. He pardoned over 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack and replaced federal prosecutors who pursued those cases.

The Justice Department, under Trump’s direction, has examined the origins of the 2016 Russia investigation and initiated inquiries into former President Barack Obama.

Investigations targeting the Biden administration and independent special prosecutors, such as Jack Smith, illustrate a broader pattern of attempting to exert influence over the judicial process. Trump has framed these actions as responses to alleged Democratic “weaponization” of government.

“It is amazing to me the number of people the Trump administration has gone after, all of whom are identified by the fact that they investigated or criticized Trump in one way or another,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a former Justice Department official.

Trump has also sought to influence independent institutions, including the Federal Reserve, and has announced potential military deployments in Chicago. Vice President JD Vance defended the investigation into Bolton, insisting, “If there’s no crime here, we’re not going to prosecute it.” Trump, asserting his authority, said, “I’m actually the chief law enforcement officer.”

Bolton, who authored a book critical of Trump in 2020, has been investigated for allegedly mishandling classified information, though previous investigations were halted under the Biden administration. Trump’s team has also targeted law firms, universities, and judges, employing funding cuts or legal pressure to enforce compliance.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed military leaders perceived as disloyal, and security clearances for dozens of current and former national security officials have been revoked.

“It’s what he promised,” said Justin Levitt, a former Justice Department official. “It’s what bullies do when no one tells them ‘No.’”

Taken together, these measures reflect a strategic use of government power that critics warn blurs the line between governance and retaliation, raising concerns about the consolidation of authority and the intimidation of political opponents in modern American politics.

With inputs from agencies