• Donald Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to use government power for revenge against critics.
• Recent FBI actions against former administration officials, including John Bolton, demonstrate this strategy.
• Trump has expanded investigative actions against prominent Democrats, exacerbating political tensions.
• Military deployments in U.S. cities have raised alarms about Trump's consolidation of power.
• Experts warn that Trump's tactics threaten to undermine political norms and civil liberties.

Donald Trump is making good on his campaign promise to use government powers for revenge against those he claims have wronged him. Recent actions include the FBI's search of the home of John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser turned critic, who recently labeled the current administration "the retribution presidency" in a public interview. Trump's administration has also opened investigations against several prominent Democrats, including Letitia James, New York Attorney General, and Senator Adam Schiff, each of whom have played significant roles in opposing Trump during his presidency, according to SCMP, HuffPost, and Los Angeles Times.

These investigatory moves notably involve the charging of representatives such as LaMonica McIver over her participation in an immigration protest, indicating Trump's readiness to target hostile politicians personally. Under scrutiny is also former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is independently campaigning for the New York City mayoral position. Trump’s focus expands to other former staff members, particularly targeting Miles Taylor, who vocalized concerns about Trump's leadership, and Chris Krebs, who defended the integrity of the 2020 election results, as highlighted by SCMP and HuffPost.

Trump's strategies reflect his long-standing claims of persecution, especially after facing multiple criminal charges in the past. On Saturday, Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, reiterated Trump's narrative by stating, "Joe Biden weaponized his administration to target political opponents – most famously, President Trump," suggesting a justification for the ongoing investigations within his sphere, as cited by Los Angeles Times.

Increasingly, Trump has wielded military power within the U.S., deploying National Guard troops in major cities as a means to combat crime and assist with immigration enforcement. This maneuver has raised significant concerns among Democrats and political analysts alike, who worry about the potential misuse of military authority for partisan purposes. Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College, remarks, "You combine the threat of prosecution with armed troops in the streets," warning of historical parallels to authoritarian governance, according to HuffPost, Los Angeles Times, and SCMP.

During the onset of his second term, Trump has made headlines by pardoning over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection, alongside dismissing federal prosecutors critical of him. Furthermore, his administration has sought to initiate grand jury investigations into the origins of inquiries related to his campaign's connections with Russia, thus drawing attention to the contentious political climate. As the political fallout continues, the spotlight remains on Trump's tactics, which observers argue threaten the constitutional balance, according to Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and SCMP.

In consolidating his authority, Trump has not only focused on his enemies but has also sought control over institutions that defy him, barring several law firms from federal contracts and threatening universities with funding cuts should they not comply with his directives. Trump has utilized legal threats to counteract those opposing him in matters should be nonprofit or professional under the U.S. legal framework, as noted across several sources, including SCMP, HuffPost, and Los Angeles Times.

Amid these developments, the Trump administration is witnessing intensified scrutiny over its growing list of actions perceived as retaliatory. Legal experts argue these bold moves position Trump at odds with traditional political conduct, compelling many to consider the resulting implications for democratic governance in the U.S. Justin Levitt, a law professor and former Justice Department official, stated, "It's what bullies do when no one tells them 'No'"—a summation of Trump's governing philosophy in the current political landscape, as gathered from sources, including Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and SCMP.