“Trump’s Platform of Punishment”: New President-Elect Reportedly Has “Lengthy Inventory” of Targets
Jim Vondruska/Getty Images; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
During her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris frequently warned that, if elected, Donald Trump would enter office with “an enemy’s list.” Now, with Trump as President-elect, Politico reports that he indeed has “a lengthy inventory of people he’s pledged to punish.”
“For years, Trump has peppered his speeches and social media posts with vengeful calls for his political opponents, his critics, and members of the media to be prosecuted, locked up, deported, and even executed,” Politico reports. In the final weeks of his campaign, Trump ramped up his rhetoric to an unprecedented level, vowing retaliation against those he views as adversaries.
Now, with both a popular mandate and presidential power, he is poised to start enacting his “platform of punishment.” Trump’s intentions, according to Politico, have been bolstered by a recent Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity from criminal accountability after leaving office. This legal advantage is expected to empower him to act on his agenda with minimal restraints, supported by aides willing to bypass norms to fulfill his wishes.
In a speech from March 2023, Trump made his vision clear, declaring, “I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution.” This bold statement has become a central theme of Trump’s second-term agenda, signaling a shift toward retribution and action against perceived opponents.
Among those reportedly on his list are close to two dozen individuals within the legal and political fields, as well as intelligence specialists and journalists. Trump has long branded journalists critical of him as adversaries, escalating his rhetoric by referring to the press as “the enemy camp” in his victory speech, as reported by The Guardian. He expressed a similar sentiment during an appearance with Ohio Senator and running mate JD Vance. “I told JD to go into the enemy camp.
He just goes: OK. Which one? CNN? MSNBC? He’s like the only guy who looks forward to going on and then just absolutely obliterates them,” Trump quipped, underscoring his hostile stance toward mainstream media outlets. The President-elect’s approach appears to have struck a chord with a portion of his voter base, who view his promises of retaliation as justified. His call for “retribution” has fueled his campaign narrative, painting himself as a champion of those who feel wronged or ignored by previous administrations.
Critics argue that Trump’s “platform of punishment” marks a concerning shift toward an authoritarian style of governance, with his willingness to target not only political figures but also members of the press and intelligence communities. Political analysts caution that Trump’s proposed measures could set a dangerous precedent for democracy, as the targeting of adversaries could erode the norms of political and civil discourse.
As Trump prepares to take office, his list of targeted individuals and institutions highlights his intent to use his new term as a stage for sweeping action. His rhetoric has prompted fears among his critics and analysts, who worry that his agenda could significantly impact democratic institutions and the nation’s political fabric. Trump’s second term, they warn, may be defined by efforts to punish and silence those he perceives as threats to his leadership.
