President Donald’s Trump’s announcement this week that he was firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook made her the latest target in what critics call a campaign of retribution against Trump’s perceived enemies.
Administration officials have insisted that any such actions are, as Vice President JD Vance said last week, “driven by law and not by politics.” But they come after Trump vowed during last year’s presidential campaign that he would seek retribution if reelected.
Trump’s announcement regarding Cook follows months of the administration vowing investigations into perceived enemies, stripping individuals of security clearances, and removing protective details.
Here’s a look at some of the actions that the president’s critics have experienced, which many of them perceive as retribution.
FACING POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION
Lisa Cook, Federal Reserve governor
Trump on Monday said he was firing Cook, a member of the seven-person Federal Reserve board of governors that helps shape the nation’s monetary policy, over allegations raised by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte that she committed mortgage fraud by improperly designating both her homes in Georgia and Michigan as her primary residence.
In a statement, Cook — who has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing — said that she would continue to serve in her role as a Fed governor, and on Thursday she filed suit against Trump over his move to fire her.
“President Trump has no authority to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook,” said her attorney Abbe Lowell. “His attempt to fire her, based solely on a referral letter, lacks any factual or legal basis. We will be filing a lawsuit challenging this illegal action.”
Trump has been urging the Federal Reserve to slash interest rates in an effort to boost the economy, and replacing Cook on the board would give Trump’s appointees the majority. No president has ever attempted to remove a Fed governor in the Fed’s 112-year history.
Lisa Cook testifies before a Senate Banking Committee hearing on her nomination to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 21, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Files
Chris Christie, former New Jersey governor
Christie, an ABC News contributor, was an early supporter of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and served as the head of his transition team, though he has since become one of the president’s fiercest critics. Trump this week threatened to investigate Christie over an old political scandal related to the closure of a lane on the George Washington Bridge in order to retaliate against a political opponent.
Trump, who called for the probe on this social media platform, told reporters in the Oval Office Monday that Christie is “guilty” but deferred to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“I know Chris better than anybody in the room. I always felt he was guilty,” Trump said. “If they want to look at it, not for me, if they want to look at it, they can. You could ask Pam [Bondi]. I think we have other things to do, but I always thought he got away with murder.”
Trump had previously defended Christie’s actions related to the lane closure, calling the original investigation an “Obama DOJ scam,” and saying that Christie won a “complete and total exoneration” when the Supreme Court overturned the conviction of two of Christie’s top staffers.

Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie gestures as he speaks during the fourth Republican presidential primary debate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, December 6, 2023.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
John Bolton, former national security adviser
Bolton has long been a target of Trump’s ire since leaving his first administration and publishing a tell-all book. Federal agents on Friday searched Bolton’s Maryland residence and Washington, D.C., office.
Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that the search was related to allegations that Bolton is in possession of classified records.
Most recently, Trump has taken aim at Bolton’s criticisms of Trump’s engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump told reporters Friday morning that he didn’t know about the FBI search of Bolton’s house.
Letitia James, New York attorney general
James, who brought a $454 million civil fraud case against Trump and a corruption case against the National Rifle Association, was issued subpoenas inquiring about those cases by federal prosecutors in Albany, multiple sources told ABC News.
Ed Martin, the head of the Department of Justice’s Weaponization Working Group, is also investigating James for alleged mortgage fraud.
In August, Martin sent James a letter calling for her resignation, leapfrogging multiple steps federal prosecutors ordinarily undertake to determine whether the subject of an investigation engaged in criminal activity. On Aug. 15, three days after he sent the letter, Martin showed up wearing a trench coat outside James’ Brooklyn home and posed for a New York Post photographer who was there waiting, in an apparent violation of DOJ policies.
“Despite the lack of evidence or law, you will take whatever actions you have been directed to take to make good on President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s calls for revenge for that reason alone,” James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, wrote in a letter to Martin.
Martin has continued to defend the legitimacy of his investigation.
Adam Schiff, United States senator
Schiff, who served as the lead manager during the first impeachment trial of President Trump in 2019, is being investigated by the DOJ for alleged insurance fraud related to a property in Maryland after Attorney General Pam Bondi named Martin as a special prosecutor in the probe.
Schiff’s attorney has denied the allegations, calling them “transparently false, stale, and long debunked.”
“I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist,” Trump wrote on his social media platform in July. “Mortgage Fraud is very serious, and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) needs to be brought to justice.”
Schiff’s lawyer has called the allegations “transparently false, stale, and long debunked.”
“This is the kind of stuff you see tinpot dictators do. It is designed to intimidate his political opponents and somehow try to silence them,” Schiff said in a video statement last month.
Jack Smith, former special counsel
Smith, who led the classified documents and Jan. 6 investigations into Trump, is being investigated by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel over whether his probes violated the Hatch Act, which limits the political activities of federal employees.
The investigation follows a referral from Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas earlier this week that asked the OSC to investigate Smith for his investigative and prosecutorial activities before the 2024 election, which Cotton argued were intended to harm Trump’s political prospects.
Attorneys representing Smith have criticized the investigation as “imaginary and unfounded,” describing the reasoning for the probe as baseless and “partisan” in nature.

Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to members of the media at the US Department of Justice building in Washington, August 1, 2023.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Taylor, who authored an anonymous op-ed in The New York Times in 2019 claiming that “senior officials in his own administration are working diligently from within to frustrate parts of [Trump’s] agenda and his worst inclinations,” is being investigated after Trump signed an executive order in April directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to “review Miles Taylor’s activities as a Government employee” and submit a record with “recommendations for appropriate remedial or preventative actions to be taken to protect America’s interests.”
Christopher Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Krebs, who was fired by Trump in 2002 when Krebs contradicted Trump’s false claims about election fraud following the 2020 election, is the subject of a probe after Trump signed an executive order in April directing the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a review to “identify any instances where Krebs’ conduct appears to have been contrary to suitability standards for Federal employees, [or] involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information.”
ACCUSED OF CRIMES
Former President Joe Biden
During a March 14 speech at the Department of Justice, Donald Trump said that Biden was “essentially found guilty” of retaining classified documents in 2024 after a special counsel declined to charge him.
“In fact, he was essentially found guilty, but they said he was incompetent and therefore, let’s not find him guilty, I guess. Nobody knows what that ruling was, but I didn’t want any part of it. I think I would have rather been found guilty than what they found with him,” Trump said.
“Bottom line is the special counsel in my case decided against moving forward with any charges,” Biden said following the release of the special counsel’s report. “And this matter is now closed.”
Former President Barack Obama
Trump in July accused Obama of treason by alleging, without evidence, that he led an effort to undermine Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
“Look, he’s guilty. It’s not a question,” Trump said. “This was treason. This was every word you can think of. They tried to steal the election. They tried to obfuscate the election.” A spokesperson for Obama called Trump’s remarks “ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one,” an Obama spokesperson said.
REVOKED OR THREATENED WITH REVOCATION OF SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION / SECURITY DETAIL
Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden
After Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father in 2024 following convictions on tax evasion and federal gun charges, Trump vowed to remove the Secret Service protection for the younger Biden on March 17 after a reporter asked him about the security detail assigned to Hunter Biden during his vacation in South Africa.
Representatives for the Secret Service and the office of former President Biden did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Hunter Biden listens while his father, President Joe Biden, speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024.
Rod Lamkey/AP
Ashley Biden, daughter of former President Joe Biden
Trump vowed to remove the Secret Service protection for Ashley Biden on March 17 after a reporter asked him about the security detail assigned to Hunter Biden during his vacation in South Africa. Representatives for the Secret Service and the office of former President Biden did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Alejandro Mayorkas, former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security
Trump revoked Alejandro Mayorkas’s Secret Service detail in March after President Biden had extended it. A representative for the Secret Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mike Pompeo, former secretary of state
Trump revoked Pompeo’s security protection in January despite warnings from the Biden administration that he faced an ongoing threat from Iran.
Brian Hook, former U.S. special representative for Iran
Trump revoked Hook’s security protection in January despite warnings from the Biden administration that he faced an ongoing threat from Iran.
Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stripped Milley of his security detail in January and ordered the inspector general to begin investigating whether Milley committed crimes by undermining the chain of command.
John Bolton, former national security adviser
Trump revoked the Secret Service detail assigned to Bolton within hours of taking office.
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Fauci had his government security detail revoked on Jan. 23, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Fauci was protected by private security that was paid for by the government, but has now hired his own security detail following the cancellation.
SEURITY CLEARANCE REVOKED
Joe Biden, former president
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Antony Blinken, former secretary of state
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Jacob Sullivan, former national security adviser
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Lisa Monaco, former deputy attorney general
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for her to access classified information.
Mark Zaid, whistleblower attorney
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Norman Eisen, co-counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during first Trump impeachment:
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Letitia James, New York attorney general
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for her to access classified information.
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan district attorney who brought charges against Trump
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg addresses the media about indictments in last monthâs shooting of an off-duty federal agent, New York City, August 6, 2025.
Adam Gray/Reuters
Andrew Weissmann, lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s special counsel’s office
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for her to access classified information.
Liz Cheney, vice chair of the House Jan. 6 Committee
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for her to access classified information.
Kamala Harris, former vice president, 2024 Democratic presidential nominee
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for her to access classified information.
Adam Kinzinger, member of House Jan. 6 Committee
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Fiona Hill, witness in 2019 House impeachment inquiry
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for her to access classified information.
Alexander Vindman, witness in 2019 House impeachment inquiry
Clearance was revoked after the White House announced March 21 that it was “no longer in the national interest” for him to access classified information.
Kimberly Cheatle, former director of Secret Service
The United States Secret Service announced it canceled her security clearance process on Aug. 4.
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Trump signed a memo on April 9 ordering his administration to revoke his security clearance of Taylor, alleging that he “stoked dissension,” published classified information, and violated his oath.
“I don’t want to go out there and say this order achieved the president’s objective of destroying my personal life, but the reality is that I had to step away from work because I couldn’t do the work that I did anymore with this blacklisting in Washington,” Taylor told Politico in June.
Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Trump signed a memo on April 9 ordering his administration to revoke his security clearance of Krebs, alleging he was a “significant bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his Government authority.” Krebs resigned from his job after Trump issued his executive order.
“This will require my complete focus and energy. It’s a fight for democracy, for freedom of speech, and for the rule of law. I’m prepared to give it everything I’ve got,” he told his former coworkers when announcing his resignation.
John Bolton, former national security adviser
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks to reporters after speaking in a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, August 17, 2022 in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
James Clapper Jr., former U.S. director of national intelligence
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Leon Panetta, former U.S. secretary of defense
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
John Brennan, former director of Central Intelligence
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Thomas Fingar, former chair of the National Intelligence Council
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Richard Ledgett, former deputy director of the National Security Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Michael Morell, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Michael Vickers, former under secretary of defense for intelligence
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Douglas Wise, deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Nicholas Rasmussen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Russell Travers, former U.S. acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Andrew Liepman, former principal deputy director of the National Counterterrorism Center
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
John Moseman, former chief of staff for the Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Larry Pfeiffer, former chief of staff at the Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Jeremy Bash, former chief of staff at the Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Rodney Snyder, former chief of staff at the Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Glenn S. Gerstell, former general counsel of the National Security Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
David B. Buckley, former inspector general at Central Intelligence Agency
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
Additional former intelligence officials associated with Hunter Biden laptop probe
Clearance was revoked when Trump, on his first day in office, signed an executive order that removed the security clearance of fifty former intelligence officials because they signed a letter discrediting reporting about the Hunter Biden scandal.
37 former intelligence leaders associated with assessment of Russia’s attempt to influence 2016 election
On Aug. 19, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused 37 current and former intelligence officials whose security clearances she revoked of having “aided and abetted” in what she called a “seditious conspiracy” that undermined U.S. democracy and the Republic.
Law Firms
Trump targeted a group of law firms with executive orders and memos that sought to strip attorneys of their security clearance and limit their ability to enter government buildings. Some of the firms reached agreements to offer the Trump administration pro bono services, while others successfully challenged the orders in court.
– Covington & Burling
– Perkins Coie
– Jenner & Block
– Milbank
– WilmerHale
– Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom
– Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
– Willkie Farr & Gallagher
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