By Steve Neavling
In his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump has aggressively used executive authority to punish political opponents and critics, fulfilling campaign promises of retribution, Reuters reports.
On his first day, Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to search for evidence of political bias in federal agencies. That same day, he revoked Secret Service protection for former adviser John Bolton and stripped security clearances from dozens of ex-intelligence officials.
Former presidents have distanced themselves from rivals, but historians say Trump’s efforts to retaliate using the full power of the federal government are unprecedented in scope and intensity.
“It’s the ferocity and the scope of what he’s done that makes it unprecedented,” said Timothy Naftali, a historian and former director of the Nixon Presidential Library.
Trump has ordered investigations into former administration officials, pulled security details, and signed executive orders targeting law firms linked to special counsels who once investigated him.
In a statement, the White House defended the actions. “Utilizing every tool afforded by the Constitution, the Trump Administration is prioritizing efficiency; eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse; and fulfilling every campaign promise,” said spokesperson Harrison Fields.
