After winning the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump has been in the spotlight with talk of taking action against a long list of people he considers his enemies, a list that Politico has called his “enemies list.” This list is said to include important political figures, critics, and officials, with Trump suggesting he might pursue legal actions or punishments against them now that he has executive power.
During his campaign, Trump often promised to hold certain people accountable, going so far as to talk about prosecutions and investigations. Many of his supporters saw this as typical campaign talk.
However, some close allies and political experts worry that, without the need to focus on reelection, Trump could follow through on these promises in a bold way.
This possibility is made easier by recent Supreme Court rulings that give presidents significant legal protections after leaving office, along with a team of advisors who are less likely to challenge his plans.
People On Trump’s Possible Target List
Trump has often spoken against certain high-profile Democrats, government officials, and media figures, suggesting they could face investigations or legal actions:
1. President Joe Biden And His Family
Trump has accused Biden of being “corrupt” and has promised to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate what he calls the “Biden crime family.” Trump’s statements echo his ongoing complaints about the 2020 election, which he still claims was rigged.
2. Vice President Kamala Harris
Trump has criticized Harris’s handling of immigration, accusing her of allowing crime by not securing the U.S.-Mexico border. He has even suggested she should be impeached and prosecuted for her role in immigration policy.
3. Former President Barack Obama
Trump has accused Obama of “treason” for allegedly spying on his 2016 campaign. Although investigations showed the surveillance involved only certain foreign policy advisors, Trump continues to call for “public military tribunals” for Obama.
4. Former Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton
Clinton, whom Trump has repeatedly criticized since his 2016 campaign, remains a focus of his anger. He has revived the “lock her up” chant, hinting at possible investigations into her actions as Secretary of State.
5. Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Trump has said Pelosi should face charges related to her husband’s stock trades and her handling of Capitol security on January 6, 2021. He also condemned her for tearing up his State of the Union address in 2020.
6. Attorney General Letitia James And Judge Arthur Engoron
These New York officials investigated Trump’s business activities, leading to heavy financial penalties. In response, Trump has threatened them with prosecution, accusing James of interfering with elections and frequently criticizing Judge Engoron, who is overseeing the case.
7. Special Counsel Jack Smith And District Attorney Alvin Bragg
Both prosecutors who have handled cases against Trump. He has called Smith “mentally deranged” and suggested he should be jailed, and accused Bragg of election interference, saying he should face charges.
8. Republican Figures And Former Officials
Trump has also targeted Republicans like Liz Cheney, General Mark Milley, and former FBI officials James Comey, Peter Strzok, and Lisa Page. He has accused Cheney of treason, Milley of deserving severe punishment, and former FBI members of plotting against him.
9. Social Media And Media Leaders
Trump has threatened Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, with prison, accusing him of trying to harm Trump’s 2020 campaign by allegedly using charitable donations unfairly.
10. Hunter Biden And The Biden Family
Hunter Biden, the president’s son, has faced accusations from Trump of corruption. Although Hunter has had legal troubles with taxes and gun charges, Trump has pledged to expand investigations into his foreign business activities.
Trump’s return to power, with a focus on retribution, marks a big shift from past presidential approaches.
To some, this approach is similar to Richard Nixon’s era, when political enemies were directly targeted.
Critics worry that Trump’s promises to punish his opponents could increase divisions in American society and weaken democratic values.
However, Trump’s supporters argue he’s simply holding people accountable, especially those they feel have misused power or shown political bias.
It’s unclear how far Trump will go with these threats. Some think his words could lead to real actions against his opponents, while others expect that legal or practical obstacles might prevent this.
Regardless, Trump’s “enemies list” and the potential for actions against his opponents are expected to shape the political scene as he takes office again.
