The enemies list: Trump takes a page from Nixon’s playbook

Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska expressed her fears about speaking out against the Trump administration’s retaliation tactics at a recent gathering of nonprofit and tribal leaders in her state. She highlighted her concerns about the real consequences of using her voice in such a hostile environment.

Murkowski, a rare Republican voice opposing President Trump, raised alarms about the administration’s efforts to target political adversaries. This vindictive approach has led to the retaliation against over 50 individuals, as reported by The New York Times. The targets range from former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, to former Vice President Kamala Harris, and even former Trump administration members like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo who turned against Trump.

Drawing parallels to past administrations, like Nixon’s, who also maintained lists of political enemies for revenge, Murkowski emphasized the need to address such tactics. Nixon’s infamous “hatchet man” Charles Colson orchestrated a list of adversaries for retribution, including Democratic congressmen, reporters, and even actor Paul Newman. The Watergate scandal further exposed the lengths to which Nixon went to silence opponents, leading to bipartisan condemnation and comparisons to proto-fascism.

In contrast to Nixon’s constraints, Trump faces fewer obstacles in his pursuit of vengeance, with Republican control of Congress, supportive media outlets like Fox News, and a loyal following on various platforms. Trump’s public threats and attacks against political opponents, including calls to prosecute Joe Biden and accusations of treason against Rep. Liz Cheney, have fueled concerns about the administration’s vindictive actions.

As the Trump administration continues its campaign against perceived enemies, concerns remain about potential abuses of power and the erosion of democratic norms. The role of the courts as a check on executive overreach, coupled with public discontent and falling approval ratings, may serve as critical factors in mitigating Trump’s retaliatory agenda.