For President-elect Donald Trump, it seems that the time for vengeance is approaching.

The unexpectedly bold appointments for key positions within the Justice Department, the Pentagon, and the intelligence community—especially the nomination of former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general—suggest that Trump is determined to confront his political rivals.

Individuals who have previously clashed with Trump are now weighing the consequences they may face in the near future if he acts on his campaign threats and utilizes the full machinery of the federal government against them.

“He has a long list of people for whom he seeks vengeance,” former National Security Adviser John Bolton commented on CNN recently when asked about his potential targeting. “I have no idea where I stand on the list… but this is something we should oppose. You cannot prosecute political opponents just for having differing opinions.”

Trump’s early announcements of his cabinet choices have created significant unease within legal, political, and national security circles, with many experts telling YSL News that these selections portend troubling developments for the upcoming administration.

Like Trump, Gaetz alleges that he was targeted by the Biden Justice Department. The nominee has publicly expressed his intent to implement changes within the justice system.

Pete Hegseth, selected by Trump to head the Department of Defense, has used his platform at Fox News to voice Trump’s criticisms of the military, particularly targeting those generals who opposed the president during his first term.

Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. Congress member and military veteran, has been chosen by Trump to lead the intelligence community, having previously criticized its actions, especially regarding Russia.

Throughout his campaign, Trump issued numerous threats against those he viewed as adversaries. After his election, observers wondered how much of that was mere rhetoric and how much he would act upon. Many now believe that choosing Gaetz for the prominent attorney general role is a clear indication of Trump’s intent to exact revenge on those he feels have wronged him.

“The most significant message from the Gaetz appointment is that Trump is genuinely pursuing his retribution agenda,” stated David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who is now an independent.

Gaetz, a staunch Trump supporter, has consistently spearheaded efforts to confront the former president’s adversaries, and if he ascends to the role of attorney general, he could wield considerable power in furthering this agenda, raising concerns about a government driven by vengeance.

The list of Trump’s enemies with whom Gaetz has political conflicts is expansive, including Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, and key figures involved in the legal challenges against Trump.

“We’re on high alert for American democracy,” remarked Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn, shortly after Gaetz’s nomination was made public on Wednesday.

In response to inquiries regarding the worries about Gaetz and other nominees and their potential for retribution, transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that the incoming president has a “mandate to fulfill the promises he made on the campaign trail – and his Cabinet selections reflect his priority to put America First.”

“President Trump will continue to appoint skilled individuals who possess the experience and qualifications necessary to Make America Great Again,” Leavitt declared.

Supporters in influential roles

Legal experts indicate that Trump’s appointments are motivated by ideology, political strategy, and an extreme sense of loyalty.

The three nominees for Defense, Justice, and Director of National Intelligence “each have the capability to disrupt their respective departments and undermine the institutions,” stated Bradley P. Moss, an attorney in Washington specializing in national security.

However, Gaetz stands out for his readiness to go further than others in targeting Trump’s opponents.

Barb McQuade, a former federal prosecutor and current law professor at the University of Michigan, criticized Gaetz, stating, “He is an extraordinarily unsuitable choice.”

“His lack of qualifications and experience for the attorney general position, combined with his open contempt for the Department of Justice and its values, raises serious employees concerns.”  McQuade noted. “It seems the main requirement was to publicly show loyalty to Donald Trump.”

Gaetz first gained attention in 2019 by tweeting just before Cohen’s scheduled testimony before Congress. By that time, Cohen, a former long-time attorney for the Trump Organization and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, had become a key witness against Trump, ready to reveal damaging evidence.

Prior to the hearing, Gaetz posted on X, previously known as Twitter, with a message aimed at Cohen.

“Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends?” Gaetz tweeted. “Perhaps tonight would be a great time for that discussion. I wonder if she’ll stay loyal while you’re in prison. She’s about to find out a lot…”

Gaetz faced allegations of witness intimidation and tampering, resulting in a complaint to the Florida Bar. He dismissed the accusations and faced no disciplinary action.

Cohen, when contacted by YSL News, mentioned that Gaetz had apologized.

“I accepted it and we moved on,” Cohen stated in a text, adding that he has only spoken to Gaetz once since that interaction, inviting him to his podcast, which Gaetz declined.

When asked if he thinks he could become a target if Gaetz is appointed attorney general, Cohen replied, “I don’t have the ability to predict what Congressman Gaetz may do as Attorney General… Only time will tell.”

While serving on the House Judiciary Committee, Gaetz was able to question individuals who had drawn Trump’s ire. He specifically targeted Attorney General Merrick Garland in a hearing, accusing him of using the department as a weapon during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutions against Trump related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Smith is expected to resign before Trump takes office.

Gaetz’s actions in Congress were complemented by his vigorous support for Trump on the campaign trail. In 2021, he traveled to Wyoming to campaign against Liz Cheney, who had drawn Trump’s wrath for her criticism of his conduct during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Cheney eventually lost her reelection campaign.

This year, Gaetz was seen outside the court in New York City where Trump was on trial regarding hush money payments made to an adult film actress to cover up an affair.

Gaetz labeled Cohen, who testified in the trial, a “liar” and criticized the judge as “corrupt.” The former congressman had his own legal troubles after being investigated for alleged sex trafficking, but ultimately faced no charges. He was still under scrutiny by Congress for those allegations until he unexpectedly resigned this week, leaving lawmakers debating whether to release the investigation’s findings.

Jolly expressed concern that individuals like Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor in Trump’s Manhattan criminal case, as well as others who have crossed paths with Trump in legal and political realms might become targets. He referenced New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted Trump in a civil fraud case, newly elected California Senator Adam Schiff, who led Trump’s first impeachment inquiry, and both Cheney and former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger, who were on the House January 6 Committee.

During the campaign, Trump suggested he might utilize the military to confront what he called the “enemy from within,” labeling both Schiff and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as such. He even accused former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley of committing a “treasonous act” and remarked on social media that “Such a flagrant act would have historically warranted the death penalty!”

The nomination of Hegseth has alarmed several defense experts. He has been openly critical of Milley and current Joint Chiefs Chair, Air Force General C.Q. Brown, and expressed his views on the Pentagon in his writing.

“The next president of the United States must significantly reform the senior leadership at the Pentagon to ensure our readiness to protect the nation and defeat our adversaries. Numerous individuals need to be dismissed,” Hegseth wrote.

During a recent podcast with former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan, Hegseth stated: “First and foremost, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs needs to be fired… Any general or admiral involved in any of the woke (expletive) has got to go.”

If appointed at the Pentagon, Hegseth might be tasked with what The Wall Street Journal described as creating an executive order to form a “warrior board” comprising retired senior military officials with the authority to review and recommend the removal of three- and four-star officers deemed unqualified for leadership.

Gabbard agrees with Trump’s call to overhaul the intelligence agencies, which he has long criticized since his 2016 campaign and throughout his first term. He has denounced the intelligence community as part of the “deep state.” A CIA whistleblower played a significant role in triggering Trump’s first impeachment.

The agency has also faced criticism from Trump regarding intelligence findings that indicated Russian efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

Gabbard has been accused of echoing Russian narratives in her remarks about intelligence officials.

In a statement, the Democratic National Committee warned: “It’s dangerous for the American public to consider someone who has supported conspiracy theorists, defended Vladimir Putin, encouraged disinformation efforts from Russia, and associated with extremist groups for a top intelligence position in the nation.”

Jacob Ware, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, remarked that what Trump refers to as the “Deep State” is merely a committed and professional civil service “composed of individuals who have chosen lower-paying jobs, endure long hours, and relocate to Washington D.C. because they are patriotic and want to ensure our nation’s safety.”

“Their goal is to keep things running smoothly,” he noted. “Currently, these individuals are being unfairly vilified.”

Trump has particularly targeted the military and the judicial system, feeling betrayed by military leaders during his initial term and alleging that the legal system has been manipulated against him through the four criminal indictments and other civil proceedings.

Mike Davis, co-founder of the Article III Project and a close ally of Trump, recently called out James during a podcast.

“I dare you to keep pursuing your legal attacks against President Trump during his second term,” Davis warned James. “Listen closely: This time we’re serious, and we will see you imprisoned for conspiracy against rights, and I stand by that.”

“The agenda for retribution… this is an aspect where I think we must take Donald Trump at his word,” said Jolly, who is now a commentator for MSNBC.

“What does that entail?” Jolly asked. “Is it targeting state prosecutors like Alvin Bragg and Letitia James? Then going after Adam Schiff? How about Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger? In this context, you observe Gaetz showing unquestioning loyalty to the president, saying: ‘Absolutely, I will do it.’ This essentially becomes his roadmap.”

Entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is collaborating closely with Trump to shape his administration, complimented Gaetz on X following his nomination, stating, “he will do exceptionally well.” In another post, Musk added, “The Hammer of Justice is coming.”

“Is his first name Matt?” quipped David Sacks, a prominent supporter of Trump in the tech industry.

How credible is the retribution threat?

Some supporters of Trump argue that the new president’s threats of retaliation are unlikely to lead to actual actions.

They reference the 2016 election when, in his battle against Hillary Clinton, he led crowds in chants of “lock her up” but did not act on those promises during his presidency.

“I doubt that will happen,” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated to YSL News prior to the election when asked about Trump targeting opponents, adding: “He will be too occupied with governance during his first term to waste time on retribution.”

McCarthy knows well how vengeful Gaetz can be; he lost his speakership after Gaetz spearheaded a revolt against him in the House. A McCarthy aide did not respond this week when asked for a statement from the former speaker regarding Gaetz’s nomination.

For many, Gaetz’s nomination appears to signal a potentially more aggressive stance from Trump’s second term toward those who oppose him.

“He’s a loyalist to Trump; his allegiance to him is the only viable reason for his nomination,” U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, stated on CNN on Wednesday. “He will likely utilize the Justice Department for retaliation, as per Donald Trump’s intentions.”