Donald Trump’s Retribution Agenda: A Pattern of Vengeance — By Shola Adebowale
Donald Trump’s vow of retribution, as seen in the video titled “Retribution” during the US presidential campaign, seems to be unfolding through various actions since he took office. One notable example is the cancellation of Biden’s security clearance, which can be seen as a move to limit the former administration’s influence and access to sensitive information.
Another example is the removal of security clearances for individuals in the intelligence community who indicted him. This move can be interpreted as an act of revenge against those who investigated him. Trump has also taken aim at other perceived enemies, including former government officials and critics.
In his first coming, Trump had revoked the security clearances of several high-profile individuals, including John Brennan, former CIA Director, who was a vocal critic of Trump’s handling of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan’s security clearance was revoked in August 2018.
Trump also fired FBI Director James Comey in May 2017, who was leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Additionally, Trump fired Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe in March 2018, who was a key witness in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Purging Government Agencies
Trump has removed inspectors general from at least 15 government agencies. This includes the State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, who was investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s use of taxpayer funds. Linick was fired in May 2020.
Trump also fired Defense Department Inspector General Glenn Fine in April 2020, who was leading the investigation into the Pentagon’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump has also targeted civil servants who have criticized him or his policies. This includes Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who were fired from the National Security Council after they testified in the impeachment inquiry in February 2020.
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was also fired from her post in Ukraine in May 2019 after she testified in the impeachment inquiry.
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Undoubtedly,foreign nations are not spared. For instance, Trump has frozen foreign aid to several countries. This includes $391 million in military aid to Ukraine, which was later released after a whistleblower complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry in July 2019.
Trump also froze $450 million in aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in March 2019, citing concerns about immigration and border security.
However, like in a manner of using it as a two-edged sword, Trump has issued pardons for over 1,500 supporters who were convicted of attacking the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump has used Twitter to attack critics. This includes a tweet in June 2017, where he posted a video of himself body-slamming a CNN logo, sparking concerns about violence against journalists.
Trump also tweeted criticism of Amazon in March 2018, causing the company’s stock price to drop.
Trump has also filed lawsuits against critics. This includes a lawsuit against adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump, in March 2018.
Trump also filed a lawsuit against his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who testified against Trump in the impeachment inquiry, in July 2019.
These actions demonstrate a pattern of behavior by Trump that can be seen as part of his retribution agenda, targeting perceived enemies and critics across various sectors, keeping his words and abiding every letter of it during his campaign for president, to seek retribution against perceived enimity of the past.
