Table of Contents
- The Broken Promise: “I Won’t Have Time for Retribution”
- Enemies Indicted: James, Comey, and the New Targets
- A Decades-Long Pattern of Vengeance
- Is This Justice—or Weaponization?
- What This Means for the 2026 Midterms
- Sources
Trump’s Retribution Revival Tour Begins—Despite His Own Promise
Back in January 2024, during an Iowa town hall, Donald Trump tried to reassure voters he wouldn’t be consumed by vendettas if reelected. “I’m not going to have time for retribution,” he said, brushing off concerns about political payback.
Fast-forward to October 2025, and Trump is not just making time—he’s building a whole administration around it.
In a single week, his Justice Department indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James, arraigned former FBI Director James Comey, and publicly called for the jailing of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. All are figures who have crossed him—legally, politically, or rhetorically.
Enemies Indicted: A Who’s Who of Trump’s Adversaries
The targets aren’t random. Each has played a starring role in Trump’s personal or legal battles:
| Name | Role | Why Trump Dislikes Them | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letitia James | New York AG | Led $454M fraud lawsuit against Trump Org. | Indicted on campaign finance charges |
| James Comey | Ex-FBI Director | Oversaw Russia probe; called Trump “untruthful” | Arraigned on obstruction-related charges |
| J.B. Pritzker | Illinois Governor | Blocked Trump’s National Guard deployment | Publicly called for prosecution |
| Brandon Johnson | Chicago Mayor | Refused federal “law and order” intervention | Labeled “corrupt” by Trump on Truth Social |
Legal experts say the timing and coordination raise serious questions about whether the Department of Justice is being used as a personal enforcement arm.
A Decades-Long Pattern of Vengeance
This isn’t new behavior—it’s classic Trump. In his 2007 book Think Big and Kick Ass, he wrote: “My motto is always get even. When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades.”
During his first term, he repeatedly called for the prosecution of political foes, including Hillary Clinton (“Lock her up!”) and Barack Obama. Now, with full executive control, he’s turning rhetoric into reality.
Even his campaign rallies have taken on a prosecutorial tone. At a recent event in Ohio, Trump told the crowd: “We’re cleaning house. Every person who tried to destroy me—they’re going to answer for it.”
Is This Justice—or Weaponization?
Critics argue these moves violate core democratic norms. “When a president uses federal law enforcement to settle personal scores, it’s not justice—it’s tyranny with a badge,” said constitutional law professor Dr. Elena Ruiz of Georgetown University.
Supporters counter that these figures broke laws and deserve scrutiny. “Letitia James weaponized her office against a political opponent,” said GOP strategist Maria Lopez. “Now she’s facing the same system she abused.”
But legal analysts note a troubling asymmetry: while James’s civil fraud case was upheld by New York courts, the charges against her—related to minor campaign finance discrepancies from 2018—had previously been reviewed and dismissed by state ethics boards.
What This Means for the 2026 Midterms
Trump’s retribution tour may energize his base, but it’s also galvanizing Democratic turnout. In New York, fundraising for James’s legal defense fund surged 400% in 48 hours after her indictment.
Nationally, polls show a sharp partisan divide: 76% of Republicans approve of Trump “holding enemies accountable,” while 81% of Democrats call it “abuse of power.”
As one former White House counsel put it: “He’s not just governing—he’s settling scores. And in doing so, he’s testing the limits of what American democracy can withstand.”
