President Trump's threats against Biden range from ominous warnings to concrete plans for retaliation. Many of these threats revolve around reenacting his own legal predicament against Biden, which he calls the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. In one post about Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation, he warned:the impact is much greater More than Biden and his thugs can comprehend,” and the ongoing investigation would open a “Pandora's box” of retaliation. In another post, Trump said the federal indictment was “set a bad precedent For yourself, Joe. The same thing can happen to you. ” In July, Trump reposted coverage of the rally, quoting:I'm finally serious”
Trump has explicitly threatened Biden with a special counsel investigation and indictment, in one post calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland to “immediately end any special counsel investigation into me because I have done everything right.” and appoint a special prosecutor Investigate Joe Biden who hates Joe Biden as much as Jack Smith hates me,'' and another asked, “When will Joe Biden? charged with numerous crimes Against our country? ” Trump has posted on the subject multiple times, promising: Appoint a special prosecutor to investigate bidenand indict Trump once he returns to the White House for a second term.
President Trump's request for immunity from prosecution for crimes he committed while in office is inconsistent with his threat to threaten Biden if he loses his immunity suit. In fact, President Trump not-so-subtly hinted that he would weaponize this result against Biden during his second term, saying that his outgoing president would almost “face it.” Ta.an indictment“Soon after”the other partyAgainst “mistakes and decisions” destroy our countryLike “His Open Border” policy“And he is.”will definitely be prosecuted”
President Trump has “reposted” other people's more threatening and sometimes violent posts about Biden. In June, he reposted a clip of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in which she argued that “Joe Biden shouldn't just be impeached, he should be impeached.” taken away in handcuffs Expelled from the White House for his crimes. ” President Trump posted a screenshot of another post that said the FBI:attack everything [Biden’s] residence And they will confiscate anything they want, including his passport.”
Biden is not alone in his plans for a vengeful second term.Last June, Biden said during President Trump's second term that “Democrats… They're going to start getting prosecuted.” In September, he posted, “All Senate Democrats should resign based on Sen. Bob Menendez!” They all knew what was going on and how he lived. why not FBI raid It's like an illegal raid on Mar-a-Lago at the home of a Senate Democrat.”
In some posts, he announced plans for harsh retaliation against certain lawyers, judges, and other officials whom he accused of legal and other issues. In one instance, he reposted a call for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.put in jail” and New York State Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron “will be subject to the following penalties: Citizen's Arrest” He reposted a post calling for Special Counsel Jack Smith and others to be locked up, saying, “throw away the key” A Certain Truth has promised to indict Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Bragg, Smith, Garland, and Biden. Conspiracy and blackmail.
Intimidation goes beyond punishing officials deemed corrupt. President Trump has vowed three times to prosecute President Obama for official actions he committed while in office.Villain murder” To two Americans Civilian casualties Drone attack in progress.
President Trump sought additional charges based on false claims that he won the 2020 election. In February 2023, he wrote for Truth Social and commented on an article about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's Georgia election law violations.he cheated “The election was rigged. The whole system is rigged. Why isn't he indicted? Democrats know nothing but fraud. America won't last much longer!” Last October, Trump tweeted posted a meme of a campaign staffer with the caption, “The election has begun.” arrest a poll worker And see how quickly they say who told them to cheat. ”
In addition to these threats against other public figures, President Trump has also threatened the work of nonprofit organizations. In November he I have written Truth Social says, “The far-left charities, non-profits and so-called aid organizations that support these caravans and illegal immigrants will be prosecuted for their involvement in human trafficking, child smuggling and every other crime they can find.” It has said.
Trump has clearly predicted that his second term in office will be focused on revenge, including weaponizing the federal government against political opponents, judges, former presidents and others. This is a worrying threat to our democracy, but Congress can take some actions now to prevent the worst-case scenario.
What should I do?
As CREW has pointed out for years, the Justice Department and FBI fairness At a time when domestic violent extremism is on the rise, advancing accountability, justice, and security is key. Congress should pass the following: uphold the laws of our democracy This strengthens Congress' ability to fulfill its constitutional role of reining in abuses of power by presidents of both parties and checking executive overreach.
One thing is important part The centerpiece of PODA is the Protection from Political Interference in the Judiciary Act, which prevents the White House from interfering with the work of law enforcement and the Department of Justice, such as pressuring the president to prosecute his political opponents. . PODA passed the House on a bipartisan basis in December 2021, but the majority of the bill was never taken up in the Senate.
As President Trump repeatedly threatens to use law enforcement against his enemies, Congress should also prepare for the possibility that he may seek to use the military in retaliation. Congress should: reform The Insurrection Act could be weaponized by the president to use the military against actual or perceived enemies at home. During his first term, President Trump reportedly President Trump has twice considered invoking the Insurrection Act. Once during the Black Lives Matter movement and again as part of his efforts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election. President Trump's allies are now claiming he will invoke the Insurrection Act on his first day in office.
Currently, the law authorizes the president to “take such measures as he deems necessary” to quell “any riot, domestic violence, unlawful union, or conspiracy.” However, if we do not define the meaning of these terms, they can be misused. Proposed reforms include defining an insurrection, limiting the president's power to send in the military, and requiring consultation with governors and oversight by Congress.
As President Trump's Truth Social posts demonstrate, now would be a very good time for Congress to act to prevent the president from weaponizing key branches of the federal government that he sees as his enemies. .
