The Justice Department on Thursday secured an indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, just days after Trump openly demanded he be prosecuted and ousted a prosecutor who resisted targeting the president’s political foes.
This moment underscores a stunning evolution: Trump’s already brazen efforts to centralize power are becoming even more radical, as he removes obstacles, enforces loyalty, punishes enemies, and seeks to muzzle dissent.
Targeting His Enemies
Comey’s indictment is the clearest example yet of Trump personally driving the justice system against political adversaries.
Trump has long accused his opponents of crimes, often meddling in ongoing cases. But now, he isn’t just commenting he’s making it happen.
Former White House counsel Ty Cobb called it a “tragic day,” labeling Comey’s prosecution “vindictive” and “selective.” He warned:
“This is either the end of the rule of law in America or it’s the tipping point against authoritarian activities we’ve seen from this president and his attorney general.”
The move followed Trump’s dismissal of a US attorney in Virginia who refused to charge Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, and his complaints that Attorney General Pam Bondi wasn’t moving fast enough. Soon after, a loyalist was installed and Comey was indicted.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that the Justice Department is drafting plans to investigate Democratic donor George Soros, another figure Trump publicly called to prosecute.
Cracking Down on Dissent
Alongside his retribution campaign, Trump has intensified efforts to stifle criticism.
He suggested critical TV networks should lose their licenses and hinted that shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! could face criminal charges.
He has also pursued lawsuits against outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, while the Pentagon recently pressured credentialed journalists not to publish material it hasn’t cleared.
Beyond Politics Expanding Power
The radical shift extends far beyond political payback.
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Government workers: Trump’s Office of Management and Budget has threatened mass firings if Democrats don’t back his shutdown demands.
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Healthcare: His administration has floated restricting access to abortion medication despite long-established safety data.
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Foreign policy: He’s considering a bailout for Argentina, widely seen as an effort to shore up his ally, President Javier Milei.
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Military power: Trump has launched legally dubious strikes on alleged drug boats in international waters, asserting his unilateral right to use deadly force outside of declared war.
A New Era of Unchecked Power
In his first term, establishment figures sometimes reined in Trump’s impulses. But many of those officials are gone, replaced by MAGA loyalists willing to act on his most extreme instincts.
What was once speculation — that Trump might break the system — is now becoming reality. And with institutional guardrails stripped away, the US is witnessing what looks like a revolutionary shift in how its government operates.
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