Donald Trump’s Revenge Tour
How He’s Targeting the ‘Deep State’ That Went After Him
Donald Trump has always been a fighter, and in his latest term, he’s proving that he hasn’t forgotten who tried to take him down. The so-called "Russiagate" scandal, the endless legal challenges, and the deep-seated opposition from government agencies have shaped his view of the U.S. federal bureaucracy. Now, instead of draining the swamp, Trump is setting his sights on the individuals and institutions he believes conspired against him. This is not about reform—it’s about retribution.
The Intelligence Community: First on the Chopping Block
One of Trump's first acts in office was an executive order revoking the security clearances of nearly 50 former national-security officials. These were not just any officials, these were the very people who signed the infamous 2020 letter suggesting Hunter Biden’s laptop could be Russian disinformation. That letter, conveniently released right before the election, helped shape the media narrative against Trump. By stripping them of security access, Trump sent a clear message: You played politics with intelligence, and now you pay the price.
It didn’t stop there. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, one of Trump’s most outspoken critics, found himself stripped of both his security clearance and protective detail. Bolton had openly attacked Trump in his book and media appearances. Now, Trump is making sure Bolton feels the consequences of crossing him.
The FBI: Reshaping a ‘Corrupt’ Institution
No agency has drawn more of Trump's ire than the FBI. He has repeatedly called it a politically weaponized organization, accusing it of fabricating the Russia collusion narrative and working against him in both 2016 and 2020. The solution? Install a loyalist at the top.
Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel to head the FBI is a calculated strike. Patel was a lead investigator on the House Intelligence Committee when it exposed how the Steele dossier, used as a basis for the Russia probe, was largely unverified and politically motivated. Patel has been vocal about the FBI’s alleged corruption and vowed to overhaul the agency from the inside.
Trump’s plan for the FBI is straightforward: purge the bureaucrats and career officials who were involved in what he sees as an effort to sabotage his presidency. Patel's appointment signals that the gloves are off.
The CIA: ‘Deep State’ Central Gets Hit
The Central Intelligence Agency has not escaped Trump’s wrath either. The agency, known for its secrecy and influence, played a role in the early Russia investigation, with former officials like John Brennan publicly criticizing Trump. Now, the CIA is undergoing a massive shakeup.
Trump’s administration has offered sweeping buyouts to employees across the agency, something unprecedented in its history. Previously, these types of buyouts were limited to administrative roles, but now they apply to every position. This signals a systematic effort to gut the agency and remove what Trump believes are hostile actors embedded within the intelligence community.
Additionally, the CIA is implementing a hiring freeze and reviewing all new job offers, effectively reshaping the institution to align with Trump’s priorities. The agency’s new focus? Targeting drug cartels and China, two areas Trump has long said were ignored while bureaucrats focused on political games.
The Department of Justice and ‘Lawfare’ Retribution
Trump has been on the receiving end of an unprecedented legal onslaught, ranging from the Russia probe to post-2020 lawsuits and indictments. Now, he's making sure the DOJ faces the consequences for what he calls "weaponized lawfare."
Reports indicate that Trump plans to overhaul the Department of Justice by removing entrenched officials and limiting the power of politically motivated prosecutors. He has already hinted at appointing attorneys who would focus on exposing what he calls the corruption of past investigations. His mission? Ensure that what happened to him never happens again, to him or his allies.
The DOJ under Trump will likely see purges of career officials who played a role in the various investigations against him. The end goal is clear: dismantle the structures that facilitated years of legal battles designed to weaken his presidency.
The Bureaucracy Purge: ‘At-Will’ Government Employees
One of the most aggressive moves Trump is pursuing is stripping job protections from federal employees. His administration is pushing for a return of "Schedule F," a policy that would convert thousands of federal positions into at-will jobs.
What does this mean? Federal employees who once enjoyed job security could now be fired at will, making it easier to remove those deemed disloyal. Critics argue this will turn government agencies into political tools, but Trump and his allies see it as a necessary step to eliminate the “deep state.”
This effort is about more than just shrinking government—it’s about ensuring the bureaucratic machine can no longer be used as a weapon against him.
Public Denouncements and the Trump Doctrine
Beyond policy, Trump is making sure everyone knows he hasn’t forgotten. His speeches are filled with attacks on the intelligence community, the FBI, and the DOJ. He’s labeled them as corrupt and pledged to expose their wrongdoings.
Recently, he has gone after prosecutors and judges involved in cases against him, branding them as partisan operatives. He has promised to “make New York great again,” a clear jab at the prosecutors who have gone after him in his home state.
Trump’s rhetoric isn’t just for show. His actions prove that he’s putting his words into motion, targeting those who targeted him.
Conclusion: A Presidency of Payback
Donald Trump is not simply returning to the White House, he’s launching a full-scale retribution campaign against the institutions and individuals that worked to undermine him.
His moves against the intelligence community, FBI, DOJ, and federal bureaucracy signal a clear shift: this is not about reforming the government; this is about making sure the people who tried to bring him down face consequences.
To Trump, this is not about draining the swamp, it’s about taking the fight directly to the deep state. And he’s just getting started.