Richard Nixon’s “enemies list” was an informal compilation of individuals and organizations he perceived as political adversaries. It became public knowledge during the Watergate scandal and was part of a broader effort to use federal resources to target those who opposed his administration. One of those abuses of power was when the Nixon administration was directed to audit groups critical of Nixon’s presidency. Quite the infamous chapter in U.S. political history.
Candidate Donald Trump made no secret that if elected, he would exact revenge on his political enemies, “retribution” was the word he used. It certainly makes sense in hindsight that President Biden pardoned a long list of individuals that Trump might have targeted. Nonetheless Trump has started getting even:
- Trump ordered security clearances removed from attorneys with the Perkins Coe law firm that formerly represented Hillary Clinton and paid for some of the work that went into the raw intelligence reports that became the “Steele Dossier.”
- Trump ordered all security clearances canceled for attorneys with Covingt0n & Burling LLP, and is a reviewing all government contracts with the firm. They had had agreed to represent former special prosecutor Jack Smith pro bono.
- Trump revoked security clearances for dozens of former intelligence officials who had criticized him.
- He removed Secret Service protection for Anthony Fauci and John Bolton, despite death threats.
- He sued CBS for the absurd amount of $20 billion, claiming they removed a few words to shorten an interview with Kamala Harris to fit the time slot.
- Department of Justice employees related to the investigations of Trump were purged.
