At his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, former President Donald Trump vowed to implement the law equitably, contrasting past federal encounters that he deemed unjust. He emphasized, "The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end." However, following this pledge, Trump's administration has aggressively pursued multiple elected and appointed officials who have either openly opposed him or refused to comply with his agendas.
The most recent figure to face scrutiny is Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Powell, who has championed the Federal Reserve's autonomy in monetary policy, resisted Trump's demands for more drastic interest rate cuts. Over the weekend, Trump told NBC News he was unaware of a Justice Department investigation concerning the Federal Reserve's ongoing construction project in Washington. Despite this, Susie Wiles, the influential White House chief of staff, indicated that Trump's return to the White House is partially driven by a desire for retribution. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she remarked, "There may be an element of that from time to time. Who would blame him? Not me." This signals a tactical approach to targeting perceived adversaries within government structures.
Pursuing Federal Reserve Independence
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who Trump appointed in 2017, issued a rare video statement disclosing that following his Senate Banking Committee testimony this summer, the Justice Department subpoenaed the central bank and threatened criminal charges related to the Fed's $2.5 billion office renovation in Washington. This testimony included his rebuttal of Trump's criticism of the renovation amidst Trump's frustration over perceived insufficient interest rate reductions.
Powell characterized the Justice Department's actions as a "pretext" aiming to undermine the Fed's historic independence in setting monetary policy free from presidential political influence. Historically, Powell had disregarded Trump's criticisms and insults, focusing instead on emphasizing the bank's autonomous role. The legal inquiry and Powell's public response mark a significant intensification in Trump's conflict with the Federal Reserve, raising questions about the robustness of traditional checks and balances in the U.S. government.
Federal Reserve Board Member Lisa Cook Has Faced Removal Attempts
Prior to the latest subpoena, Trump attempted to remove Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, citing allegations of mortgage fraud that were promoted by Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency under Trump's administration. This move was unprecedented in over a century and confronted constitutional limits on presidential authority over independent agencies.
Appointed in 2022 by President Joe Biden and recognized as the first Black woman on the seven-member board, Cook resisted the removal and litigated to preserve her position. The Supreme Court ruled last fall that she could remain on the board pending the continuation of her legal case, with oral arguments anticipated in January. Additionally, the Court has addressed related questions regarding presidential power to remove officials in independent governmental agencies.
Legal Challenges Against Former FBI Director James Comey
James Comey, former FBI director dismissed by Trump during his first term, faced a federal indictment accusing him of lying to Congress. This indictment occurred after the conclusion of investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election, a matter that has been a focal point of Trump's grievances.
Shortly after Trump's apparent encouragement of Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey with a social media exhortation stating "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!," a judge in Virginia dismissed the criminal case. The ruling cited the illegal appointment of prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, who initiated the charges under Trump's directive. Although dismissed, the charges could be reinstated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James' Legal Encounters
Long a Trump adversary, New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a significant civil fraud judgment against Trump in 2024. Although a higher court later vacated the fine, both sides are pursuing appeals. Subsequently, Trump's Justice Department pursued criminal mortgage fraud charges against James two weeks after Comey's indictment. Like Comey’s case, these charges were dismissed by the same Virginia federal judge due to the prosecutor's unlawful appointment.
Despite these setbacks, the Trump administration's efforts continued, facing repeated rebukes as grand juries declined to indict her after reviewing evidence. Furthermore, a federal judge in New York disqualified a prosecutor from oversight of James’s investigations upon discovering the individual was unlawfully serving as an acting U.S. attorney.
Investigation Into Former CIA Director John Brennan
John Brennan, former CIA director, has been identified by his legal team as a target of a federal grand jury probe in Florida related to the government’s assessment of Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. The letter from Brennan’s counsel requested the Justice Department ensure the investigation does not fall under Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump and who previously dismissed classified documents charges against the former president.
Ongoing Inquiry Into Special Counsel Jack Smith
The Office of Special Counsel, an ostensibly independent federal agency, initiated an investigation last summer into Jack Smith, who led key Trump investigations, including the probe into the January 6 Capitol insurrection. The agency, under Trump’s Justice Department, reviewed allegations of political bias in Smith’s prosecutorial actions. Smith, appointed special counsel in November 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland, maintained in congressional testimony that his investigative decisions were based solely on facts and law, emphasizing proof beyond reasonable doubt of Trump’s criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election.
Scrutiny of Senator Adam Schiff’s Financial Transactions
Adam Schiff, a California senator and one of Trump’s staunchest critics since his initial presidency, has come under examination for his mortgages and personal finances. Prosecutors in Maryland were conducting investigations as of late last year. This inquiry itself has become the focus of further investigation by federal officials questioning Justice Department and Federal Housing Finance Agency figures involved in initiating high-profile mortgage fraud cases linked to the Trump administration. Schiff has consistently described these investigations as politically motivated reprisals for his previous impeachment efforts against Trump.