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full screenOn Monday, Donald Trump returns to the White House. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
Some fear investigations and prosecutions.
Others are afraid that their careers are over.
Some believe an even worse nightmare awaits.
Trump’s revenge list is long.
Donald Trump has been very clear that he intends to have his enemies investigated and punished.
Perceived and real opponents in politics, law, authorities and the media have been told that they are “traitors”, “liars” and “psychopaths”.
Now that Trump is moving back into the White House on Monday, many are worried about what awaits them.
Do not dare to tell openly
The New York Times has been in touch with more than two dozen of Trump’s most prominent critics to hear about their concerns.
Now, hardly any of them want to speak out by name, writes the newspaper.
Many fear that it would make them even bigger targets.
But anonymously, some say they fear investigations by the Justice Department or the FBI for things they did in the performance of their jobs.
Some worry about losing jobs in the private sector or losing clients.
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full screen Two years ago, the Capitol in Washington was stormed. DC Photo: John Minchillo/AP
Fears attack on family
Some are afraid that they or family members will be physically affected.
The people suspect that Trump supporters, fueled by his talk of revenge, will attack or harass them.
One of the few who dare to speak openly is Michael Farone, one of the police officers who was injured during the storming of the Capitol. After the tumult, he has quit as a police officer and devoted his time to warning about the dangers of a new term for Donald Trump.
– I am most worried about the risk of violence and acts of violence that can affect not only me but also my family, says Farone to The New York Times.
– My concern is that people will think they will be pardoned by Donald Trump if they attack me or my family members. And who’s to say he wouldn’t.
The people on the revenge list
The New York Times has compiled a list about the people who are likely to be at the top of Donald Trump’s revenge list. Here is a selection of these and what Trump has threatened with.
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full screen Special prosecutor Jack Smith “should be thrown out of the country”, according to Trump. Photo: J Scott Applewhite/AP
Prosecutors and judges
• Jack Smith, special prosecutor appointed by the Department of Justice in charge of two of the indictments against Trump.
“Jack Smith should be considered a mental case and thrown out of the country,” Trump said last October.
• Arthur F Engoron, New York Supreme Court prosecutor who convicted Trump in a lawsuit over the valuation of his assets.
“He should be arrested and punished,” Trump said during a campaign rally.
•Alvin L Bragg, Manhattan district attorney who led the prosecution of Trump over the payment to Stormy Daniels.
“He should be held accountable for the crime of meddling in the presidential election,” Trump has said.
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full screen Congresswoman Liz Cheney “should be put in jail”, according to Trump. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Investigator
•Liz Cheney, the Republican congressman who led the investigation in the House of Representatives into the storming of the Capitol.
“She should be prosecuted for what she did to our country”, “She should be put in jail”, Trump has said.
•Other politicians on the committee, Republican Adam Kinzinger and seven Democrats.
“They should be impeached for their lies and, frankly, TREASON,” Trump wrote in March 2023.
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full screen General Mark Milley had previously been “punished with death”, according to Trump Photo: Michael Probst / AP
Enemies from the first term
•General Mark Milley, who in the role of US defense chief was in contact with his Chinese counterpart when Trump tried to change the election results.
“It was an action so outrageous that years ago it would have been punished with DEATH,” Trump said in September 2023.
•John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser who wrote a highly critical book about his former boss.
“Degenerate abomination John Bolton is a piece of shit who should be in jail and have his assets seized for spreading classified information for personal gain,” Trump said in 2020.
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full screen Trump says he will let a special driver go after Joe Biden. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
Politician
•Joe Biden, the current president of the United States.
“I’m going to appoint a special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States,” Trump said in June 2023.
•Barack Obama, former president.
Last August, Trump shared a post calling for Obama to be court-martialed.
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full screenKamala Harris should be “impeached and prosecuted”, according to Trump. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP
•Kamala Harris, vice president and Trump’s opponent in the presidential election.
“She should be impeached and prosecuted,” Trump said last September.
•Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, married to former President Bill Clinton and Trump’s opponent in the 2016 election.
“I could have put her in jail,” he said last June. “Wouldn’t it be terrible to put a president’s wife in prison?”.
•Adam Schiff, Democratic politician who led the first impeachment against Trump.
“Schiff is an abomination and a traitor who should be impeached for the damage he has done to our country,” Trump said in January 2023.