Insiders around victorious Donald Trump say the president-elect is “seething” at his treatment over the past four years and may vow to follow through on his promise of revenge
Donald Trump’s enemies are planning their political survival amid fears he will follow through on his promise of revenge after his election win.
Among those in his sights could be President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
During his campaign, Trump vowed to act against those he believes have crossed him. He also railed against perceived “enemies from within”, threatening them with prosecution – sparking comparisons to despotic regimes.
An insider said: “At the moment, Trump is basking in his success and breathing a huge sigh of relief that those federal cases against him will no longer be. But he is still seething at the treatment he suffered. Trump has always been vengeful and expect nothing less when his celebrations subside.”
Podcaster Joe Rogan, whose late endorsement of Trump is credited with providing the Republican with an election boost, appealed for him not to exact revenge. He said in his latest broadcast: “He’s got to unite people, not attack the left, not attack everybody. Let them all talk their sh** but unite.”
The US justice system is also expected to be in Trump’s line of fire. He claims it has been weaponised against him during his legal battles over recent years. Special Counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor appointed to oversee the federal cases against him, is among those at risk of reprisal.
He has been a critical figure in the investigations involving classified papers at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which sparked riots.
The President-elect has repeatedly criticised New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the charge in a civil case against him, accusing him of inflating the value of his assets. His team has signalled plans for potential punitive actions on the table for any legal challenges she might raise against him.
Trump was yesterday continuing to assemble a team for his return to the White House in January, filling it with a network of loyal allies in key positions. Susie Wiles, a long-time loyalist with a fierce reputation for political strategy, is at the front of his emerging power structure after being named as Trump’s chief of staff yesterday.
The 67-year-old gran – dubbed the “Ice Maiden” – is not the typical face of vengeance. But Wiles has been instrumental in guiding Trump’s campaign strategy and is credited with his comeback.
Also fuelling the revenge rumours are murmurs he is considering Mike Davis for Attorney General. Davis has already made it clear he will not hesitate to confront Democrats. If confirmed, Davis is expected to challenge any investigations or prosecutions he views as partisan attacks. He has already laid into James, writing: “I dare you to try to continue your lawfare against President Trump in his second term.”
Democrats are making pre-emptive moves against the new presidency. California governor Gavin Newsom is pushing a special legislative session aimed at protecting state policies from federal interference. He said after Trump’s win last week: “The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack, and we won’t sit idle. California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared to fight in the courts to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need.”
