The threats and vows of revenge began after Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts in his New York County indictment. Reuters reported that on Truth Social, a commenter responded to a Trump post attacking Judge Juan Marchan as “highly inconsistent” by posting a photo of a gallows stand and noose with the caption “Judicial System Traitor Gang!!”
“We are praying for the safety of the judge, jurors, prosecutors, witnesses and their families,” Sarah Matthews, Trump's former White House press secretary, wrote in a statement.
Trump supporters in the media and political circles are all singing the same song of rage. Matt Walsh posted that Trump should “make and publish a list of 10 Democratic officials to arrest when he takes office,” and said he “wants to see corrupt Democrats paraded in handcuffs in front of the cameras.” Federalist CEO Sean Davis posted, “I want to see a list of which Democratic officials will go to jail.”
A confused Trump goes on a free-associative tirade during post-conviction press conference
Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina refused to even listen to CNN anchor Abby Phillips' question: “You're saying you don't support former President Trump saying that if elected, he would appoint a special counsel to 'pursue the most corrupt president in the history of the United States, Joe Biden and the Biden crime family.'” According to Scott, Trump said revenge is the best kind of success.
Few figures in the history of modern American politics have displayed a more overtly vindictive spirit than Trump. The former president's actions and rhetoric reveal him as an individual deeply driven by personal grudges, a trait that poses a grave threat to both democracy and the rule of law — a threat that intensified exponentially following his conviction. His desire for retribution against those he holds responsible apparently knows no bounds.
From the beginning of his legal battle, Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and has consistently portrayed the legal process as a politically motivated witch hunt. Since his conviction, he has not only refused to accept the verdict, but has actively sought retribution against those involved in his prosecution.
I never thought I'd be worried about my political opponent's safety three years after we parted ways on good terms despite our differences over the election. (Alvin Bragg and I were opponents in the 2021 Democratic primary for Manhattan District Attorney.) Now I worry about him because I know how frightening Trump supporters can be. I've dealt with threats from them throughout my career as a candidate and as an advocate for criminal justice reform.
Trump's public persona has always been combative and retaliatory. From his days as a TV businessman to his time in the Oval Office, Trump has demonstrated a consistent pattern: he quickly targets anyone who crosses his path or fails to show unwavering loyalty. This behavior can be traced back to his business career. He has frequently engaged in legal battles with critics and former colleagues, totaling more than 4,000 lawsuits. As president, this personality has been manifested in his frequent firing of officials who do not share his views, from FBI Director James Comey to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Trump often uses litigation as a weapon — not just as a legal tool, but also as a way to intimidate and silence opponents — and this tactic has translated directly into his presidency, where his firings of senior officials have often been done in as public and humiliating a manner as possible, usually via Twitter.
For example, Trump fired his chief cybersecurity officer, Chris Krebs, in a tweet for not following through on his claims of “election fraud.” These actions served as a stern warning to others in the administration that loyalty to President Trump is paramount and will often take precedence over obligations to the Constitution and the American people.
Since leaving office, Trump's desire for revenge has not abated. If anything, it has intensified, driven by a desire to reassert his influence over the Republican Party and exact revenge against perceived enemies. This has included backing primary challengers to incumbent Republicans who voted for or against impeachment. Trump's influence has turned the Republican primaries into a test of loyalty, with candidates vying for his support by repeating unfounded claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
Trump's latest conviction marks a new chapter in his quest for revenge, with presiding Justice Alvin Bragg and Judge Marchan the primary targets of his ire.
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump spoke at a press conference held at Trump Tower in New York City, USA on May 31, 2024.
Brendan McDiarmid/Reuters
It's been widely reported that Trump and his allies plan to use the Justice Department to go after their opponents. The man who chanted “Send her to jail” during his first campaign reportedly pressured a former San Diego U.S. attorney to indict people on the left to “balance the books” after several people around him were indicted for crimes. Naturally, he's made no secret of his plans to go after progressive prosecutors if re-elected, with Alvin Bragg likely to top the list.
Trump's politics of revenge go beyond personal retribution; they threaten the institutional integrity of American democracy. Trump's continued claims of election fraud have undermined public confidence in the electoral process. His efforts to oust or intimidate officials who certified the results of the 2020 election, from Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to local election officials, have had a chilling effect on those charged with upholding democratic norms.
The January 6th riot vividly demonstrated the dangers of Trump's revenge-driven policies. His refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election, combined with his inflammatory rhetoric, led to a violent attempt to subvert a legitimate democratic process. Trump's subsequent attempts to smear and punish those who defended the integrity of the election only further destabilized faith in the electoral system. Continued harassment and intimidation of election officials and staff, fueled by Trump's rhetoric, has led to a wave of resignations and made qualified people increasingly hesitant to serve in these important positions.
Moreover, Trump's influence over the Republican Party has led to widespread acceptance of anti-democratic tactics. Trump's support of candidates who support restrictive voting laws, redistricting, and other measures that entrench minority rule suggests a strategy of maintaining power at all costs rather than engaging in healthy democratic competition. The passage of restrictive voting laws in states such as Georgia, Texas, and Florida, often justified by unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, illustrates how Trump's influence continues to erode democratic norms.
Donald Trump’s thirst for revenge runs counter to the values of democratic governance. This is a critical juncture for American democracy. Trump will no doubt continue to incite and mobilize his supporters with a narrative of retribution. And his supporters will no doubt continue to make statements like, “Someone with nothing to lose in New York needs to take down Martian” and “It’s time to start shooting at the left.” It is essential that political leaders, the media, and the general public recognize and counter this threat. Only a firm commitment to democratic principles can safeguard the future of American democracy from the dangers of revenge politics.
This week's verdict itself offers some relief that there will be some level of accountability for the “Teflon Don.” But as Trump and his allies plot retribution against those involved in his prosecution, we need to remember what is at stake in this election. If Trump is reelected, our rights will continue to be stripped away and our democracy will face an existential threat. Our rejection of “vendetta politics” must begin with maintaining a focus on what matters most:
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