DC insiders fear wave of revenge when Trump returns to White House: report

When President-elect Donald Trump gave his victory speech on Election Night 2024, he didn't harp on the "retribution" themes that had played a prominent role in his fourth presidential campaign. Trump, instead, told supporters it was "time to unite" and "put the divisions of the past four years behind us."

The New York Times' Peter Baker, in an article published on November 10, reports that Trump's "momentary nod to unity" has "led to some predictions that he might ease off the menacing threats." But other federal officials, according to Baker, fear that Trump will be obsessed with revenge after being sworn in for his second term.

"He may not go after the biggest figures, like President Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris," Baker explains, "but allies expect him to pursue at least some of the targets he has singled out. And even if he holds back on some, his mercurial nature means that no one can assume he would not change his mind, creating an atmosphere of intimidation that may inhibit vocal dissent."

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According to Baker, Trump's "most confrontational aides and allies" are "encouraging him to go after his foes," while other Trump advisers "view that as unproductive" and are "arguing that he should focus on his policy agenda of tax cuts, tariffs and an immigration crackdown."

In 2025, Baker emphasizes, it will be important to see who Trump nominates for U.S. attorney general.

One possibility is MAGA attorney Mike Davis, who is known for his extreme, violent rhetoric and recently said of Democrats, "I want to drag their dead political bodies through the streets, burn them, and throw them off the wall."

"The proxy for that battle is the choice of attorney general," Baker observes. "The decision about who to install at the top of the Justice Department is being seen as an indicator of which way Mr. Trump will go with his retribution campaign."

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Read Peter Baker's full report for the New York Times at this link (subscription required).