Trump Urges Bondi to Investigate Foes Amid Retribution Push/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Eight months into his second term, President Donald Trump is intensifying his retribution agenda by pressuring Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue legal cases against his critics.
The effort has raised alarms about censorship, free speech, and political prosecutions. Moves include Pentagon restrictions on journalists, Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, and reshuffling prosecutors.
Trump’s Retribution Drive + Quick Look
- Trump urged AG Pam Bondi to pursue cases against opponents.
- Posted an open social media appeal for rapid investigations.
- Potential targets include New York AG Letitia James and James Comey.
- Rand Paul warned against “lawfare,” while Democrats decried authoritarianism.
- Trump nominated loyalists as U.S. attorneys, replacing critics.
- Pentagon introduced new restrictions on journalists’ reporting.
- ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel over remarks about Charlie Kirk.
- FCC chairman Brendan Carr hinted at penalties for Disney/ABC.
- Trump called Carr a “patriot,” dismissing GOP concerns over free speech.
- Critics say Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department for political revenge.
Deep Look: Trump Intensifies Retribution Agenda, Urges Bondi to Pursue Opponents
Eight months into his second term, President Donald Trump is pressing ahead with his long-promised agenda of retribution against political enemies. The latest escalation came this weekend, when Trump directly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to accelerate investigations into some of his most prominent critics.
The move, delivered via a public social media post, has heightened concerns that the White House is weaponizing federal power to target adversaries — from Democratic officials to journalists and entertainers.
Trump’s Public Push for Prosecutions
In an open post directed at Bondi, Trump complained that “nothing is being done” on investigations into his foes, citing more than 30 public statements that he characterized as critical of his administration.
“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump wrote, adding, “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
He specifically pointed to a mortgage fraud probe into New York Attorney General Letitia James, who won a major fraud case against Trump in his first term, and floated a possible threats case against former FBI Director James Comey, long a target of his ire.
Speaking to reporters later that night, Trump said: “They’re guilty, they’re not guilty — we have to act fast. If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty or if they should be charged, they should be charged. And we have to do it now.”
Criticism From Both Sides
The appeals immediately drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a frequent Trump foil, cautioned against such tactics. “It is not right for the Trump administration to do the same thing” that Republicans accused Democrats of doing during the Biden years, he said on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Democrats were more forceful. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called it “unconstitutional and deeply immoral” for a president to direct prosecutions of political enemies, warning the practice would “boomerang” on conservatives in the future.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Trump was turning the Justice Department into “an instrument that goes after his enemies… This is the path to a dictatorship.”
Reshaping the Justice Department With Loyalists
Trump has sought to accelerate his retribution agenda by installing loyal allies in key prosecutorial posts. Former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro now serves as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, while Trump’s former attorney Alina Habba was appointed in New Jersey.
On Saturday, Trump nominated Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia — a jurisdiction involved in investigations into Letitia James — one day after her predecessor abruptly resigned. Trump said he wanted him “out” because he was supported by Virginia’s Democratic senators.
Critics say these moves effectively erode the independence of U.S. attorneys, traditionally seen as professional rather than political appointees.
Pentagon Tightens Rules on Journalists
The administration is also tightening control over the press. A new 17-page Pentagon memo now requires credentialed journalists to sign a pledge not to report unauthorized information, even if unclassified. Violations could cost reporters their Pentagon access.
Trump, asked if the Defense Department should decide what reporters can publish, replied: “No, I don’t think so. Nothing stops reporters. You know that.”
Still, free press advocates argue the policy represents a sharp erosion of media freedom, especially under a president who has frequently sued outlets and accused the press of being “enemies of the people.”
Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Sparks FCC Clash
Perhaps the most visible controversy came with ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after the comedian made comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing. Trump celebrated the move, congratulating ABC “for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr amplified pressure, describing Kimmel’s remarks as “truly sick” and suggesting that Disney and ABC could face regulatory consequences. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr said.
Trump praised Carr as “a great American patriot,” while dismissing GOP Sen. Ted Cruz’s warning that government interference in speech was “dangerously authoritarian.”
Retribution as Governing Principle
The developments highlight a central feature of Trump’s second term: retribution as policy. From re-staffing the Justice Department with allies, to tightening restrictions on journalists, to celebrating corporate punishments of his critics, Trump has repeatedly prioritized payback.
Supporters argue the measures are necessary to counter years of partisan investigations and biased media coverage. Critics, however, say the administration’s actions are blurring the lines between legitimate governance and personal vendetta politics.
Whether these efforts endure or face institutional pushback remains unclear. But eight months into his second term, Trump has made one thing certain: his pledge of “I am your retribution” is no longer just campaign rhetoric — it is a defining characteristic of his presidency.
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