John,

Trump has made dozens of threats, promising he would weaponize the government during a second term to target his political enemies.

Most of Trump’s posts on his own social media company have flown under the radar, only reaching his most loyal followers. But we need to be paying attention, because these threats are very real, and very dangerous. The good news is, there are some key steps that Congress can take to prevent the worst-case scenario.

Since the start of last year, Trump has issued direct or implied threats to use the powers of the federal government to target Joe Biden during a second Trump administration 25 times.

Despite Trump’s claims that Biden “weaponized” the DOJ, many of Trump’s threats revolve around investigating and indicting Biden.

In one post, Trump wrote that his federal indictments are “setting a BAD precedent for yourself, Joe. The same can happen to you.” In July Trump reposted rally coverage quoting him that “Now the gloves are off.”

And that was just one post. Trump has also:

• Called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to “immediately end Special Counsel investigation into anything related to me because I did everything right, and appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Joe Biden who hates Biden as much as Jack Smith hates me.”
• Asked “When will Joe Biden be Indicted for his many crimes against our Nation?”
• Promised to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden, and indict him if Trump returns to the White House for a second term, saying that an outgoing president would face almost “certain indictment” immediately from the “opposing party” for the “mistakes and decisions that are destroying our nation.”

These plans for a vengeful second term in office are not limited to Biden. Last June he posted that during a second Trump presidency, “Democrats are going to start getting indicted” and in some posts, he announced plans for harsh retribution against the specific lawyers, judges, and other officials whom he has blamed for his legal and other troubles.

He called for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to be “put in jail,” New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron to be “PLACED UNDER CITIZENS ARREST,” and he has reposted calls for Special Counsel Jack Smith and others to be locked up and “throw away the key” – just to name a few.

Here’s the deal: Trump is saying that a possible second Trump presidency will be sharply focused on revenge, including weaponization of the federal government against political opponents, judges, former presidents and others. That’s a concerning threat to our democracy.

Now would be a very good time for Congress to act to prevent any president from weaponizing key branches of the federal government against their perceived enemies. Read our report that lays out what Congress should do here.

Trump’s posts should not be taken as empty threats, but rather as a call to put in place meaningful guardrails against the weaponization of the military and federal government’s law enforcement agencies.

Thank you for your support,

Noah Bookbinder
President
CREW