Trump Demands Microsoft Fire Former Biden Official Lisa Monaco/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump urged Microsoft to fire Lisa Monaco, its new president of global affairs, citing her role in past DOJ probes into his conduct. Monaco, formerly deputy attorney general under President Biden, oversaw investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and election interference. Microsoft declined to comment on Trump’s demand.
Trump vs. Lisa Monaco Quick Looks
- Target: Lisa Monaco, ex–Deputy Attorney General under Biden
- New Role: Microsoft’s President of Global Affairs
- Trump’s Claim: Monaco poses national security risk due to contracts with U.S. government
- Past Role: Oversaw DOJ probes into Trump’s classified documents and election interference
- March 2025: Trump revoked her security clearance, along with Biden, Harris, others
- Microsoft response: Declined comment on Trump’s statements
- Retribution drive: Follows indictment of James Comey, another Trump adversary
- Trump hint: Suggested more former officials may face prosecution
- Critics’ concern: Escalates Trump’s use of presidential power for retribution
Deep Look: Trump Demands Microsoft Fire Lisa Monaco, Escalating Retaliation Against Former DOJ Officials
WASHINGTON — September 26, 2025
President Donald Trump intensified his campaign of retribution against former officials Friday by demanding that Microsoft fire Lisa Monaco, the company’s new president of global affairs and former deputy attorney general under President Joe Biden.
Trump accused Monaco of undermining him during her Justice Department tenure, claiming her oversight of probes into his handling of classified documents and alleged election interference made her unfit for a leadership role at a company deeply tied to federal contracts.
Trump’s Social Media Attack
In a statement posted online, Trump denounced Monaco’s hiring as a threat to national security.
“Monaco has been shockingly hired as the President of Global Affairs for Microsoft, in a very senior role with access to Highly Sensitive Information. Monaco’s having that kind of access is unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to stand,” Trump wrote.
He further labeled her “a menace to U.S. National Security, especially given the major contracts that Microsoft has with the United States Government.”
Microsoft declined to comment on Trump’s remarks.
Monaco’s Role in DOJ Investigations
Monaco, a longtime Justice Department official, served as Deputy Attorney General under Biden and worked closely with Attorney General Merrick Garland. Together, they directed high-profile investigations into:
- Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office.
- Potential election interference tied to the 2020 and 2024 campaigns.
Trump has repeatedly portrayed those probes as politically motivated. In March, he rescinded Monaco’s security clearance, along with those of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other political rivals.
Retribution Campaign Expands
The demand to remove Monaco from Microsoft fits into a broader pattern. Trump has sought to punish current and former officials he accuses of undermining him:
- On Thursday, the Justice Department indicted former FBI Director James Comey, who led the 2016 Russia probe. Trump celebrated the indictment as a long-overdue measure against one of his fiercest critics.
- Trump has suggested that more prosecutions could follow.
“It’s not a list, but I think there will be others,” Trump told reporters Friday. “I hope there will be others.”
Broader Implications
The move underscores Trump’s willingness to extend his political battles into the private sector, raising concerns about the intersection of presidential power and corporate independence. Critics argue the president’s rhetoric risks chilling private hiring decisions and escalating partisan retribution.
For Microsoft, the episode highlights the challenges of managing a global affairs role held by a politically polarizing figure at a time when the company maintains billions of dollars in U.S. government contracts.
Monaco has not commented publicly on Trump’s demand.
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