Revenge Tour 2024: Trump’s Plan for Payback
How a second Trump presidency could weaponize power against his critics and opponents
Did you hear about the 2024 Trump campaign’s “Revenge Tour” merchandise? It includes banners, T-shirts, stickers, and coins featuring Donald Trump in profile. These items are still available on Amazon, which describes the coins as great “conversation starters.” These souvenirs symbolize a plan for retribution that I fully expect Trump will carry out.
As Politico recently reported, Trump and his associates can use his own words to identify targets for retribution via weaponized agencies, including the Department of Justice. Why? Trump appears determined to settle scores against those who have criticized or acted against him. This list includes former President Barack Obama, current President Joe Biden, and his opponent in the 2024 race, Kamala Harris.
The unprecedented and destructive nature of Trump’s revenge plan cannot be overstated. No previous president has entered office declaring an intent to use federal power to target political opponents. This restraint stems from America’s commitment to stability, decency, and the peaceful transfer of power. Such revenge tactics are more commonly associated with unstable regimes, where leaders imprison their predecessors or opponents. U.S. presidents have avoided this path, helping to sustain the nation as a leading democracy.
The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, on which I served, appears to be a prime target for Trump’s retribution. The committee investigated and reported on the pro-Trump insurrection, including his role as inciter-in-chief. So far, two committee members—Republican Liz Cheney and Democrat Adam Schiff—have been explicitly named on Trump’s “hit list.”
Although my name wasn’t mentioned in the Politico report, it’s possible I, too, could face harassment through investigations or worse. Am I afraid? NOT AT ALL. When I joined the committee, I felt it was my duty to help address the January 6 attack. My values remain unchanged.
Trump has also targeted others in his speeches and statements:
Kamala Harris for people allegedly “murdered” due to immigration policies implemented under her watch.
Joe Biden and his “entire” family for unspecified crimes.
Barack Obama for “treason” tied to the 2016 investigation of Russian influence on Trump’s campaign.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for alleged insider stock trading.
New York Attorney General Letitia James for pursuing civil business fraud charges against Trump.
General Mark Milley, former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for alleged crimes related to his communications with Chinese officials.
Former FBI Director James Comey and two ex-FBI attorneys for their involvement in investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and “fixer,” for testifying against him in both Congress and court, including the “hush money” trial where Trump was convicted of 32 felony counts.
Two clear patterns emerge. First, Trump targets people who have hurt his feelings. From Harris to Obama and Milley to Comey, these individuals either criticized him or exposed flaws in his campaigns or administration. Trump thrives on flattery and cannot abide criticism, taking it all personally.
Second, loyalty—or the perceived lack of it—is a recurring theme. Trump viewed General Milley as one of “his generals” and believed Milley’s loyalty should be to him, not the Constitution. Cohen, once handsomely compensated for his loyalty, refused to stay bought.
In the past, a president-elect’s threats of retribution might have seemed like empty rhetoric. Attorneys general have historically resisted using the Department of Justice for political vendettas. However, Trump’s choice for AG, Pam Bondi, is a zealous loyalist. There’s little doubt she would pursue baseless investigations to advance Trump’s agenda.
One way to neutralize Bondi’s efforts is through preemptive pardons. Yesterday, President Biden seemed to recognize this, pardoning his son Hunter, who was singled out for tax evasion and illegal gun possession. Typically, a first-time offender would be directed to a rehabilitation program, not prosecuted.
While I would have preferred Biden to refrain from pardoning his son—something he previously vowed not to do—I understand his reasoning. I urge Biden to issue additional pardons to protect innocent individuals from politically motivated investigations during Trump’s “Revenge Tour.” Sparing these targets the pain and spectacle of such proceedings would be the right thing to do. President Biden needs to keep using that pardon pen.
I so agree. I would suggest that the last-straw for Biden was the prospect of Kash Patel exacting revenge on the Biden family by way of Hunter. He could see the future and knew something had to be done. It doesn't look good when you look at precedent. But we are less that two months away from all the rules changing. No ethics precedents will be guiding these departments. None. So there is no way to trust the process. And that, to me, is why Biden acted on this.
We should be talking about this truth. All the precedent stuff is noise when we are looking at the prospect of an FBI and CIA and DOJ that resemble the era of the 60s. JFK. RFK. MLK — would like a word.
I agree... Biden needs to use this power while he has it. It's hard to believe that this is the point to which we have reached, but it's reality. I am very encouraged by you remaining unafraid!