Ledger · Second term · № 234
Never again weaponize the state against political opponents
Broken“Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents.”
- Promised
- , Inaugural address, U.S. Capitol
- Re-promised
- 12 times with a fresh deadline
- Topic
- Justice & the courts
- Era
- Second term
What happened
Trump publicly demanded charges against named critics; James Comey was indicted Sept. 25, 2025 in the Eastern District of Virginia and New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted weeks after Trump's Truth Social post naming her. James pleaded not guilty Oct. 24, 2025 and the charges were dismissed without prejudice Nov. 24, 2025. Trump had ousted the U.S. attorney who doubted the cases, told CNN 'there will be others,' and said the prosecutions were 'the opposite' of retribution: 'I've been very mild-mannered.' Chief of Staff Susie Wiles conceded it 'might be retribution.'
Sources
- Comey's indictment marks a dramatic escalation in Trump's political retribution efforts
- These are the people Trump told the Justice Department to prosecute after Comey
- Trump says indictment of critics is 'opposite' of retribution: 'I've been very mild-mannered'
- Tracking Trump's first year promises: what he delivered, what he didn't