Former President Donald Trump has been telling his supporters that if he is elected in November, he will be their “retribution” against those who do not support him. He has specifically mentioned using the military and the National Guard on the “enemy within,” including people like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump has been speaking in general terms about his intentions, but a former top national security official, Michael Flynn, has been recruiting volunteers across the country to help carry out these plans. Flynn, along with his aide Ivan Raiklin, has been among the most vocal of Trump’s allies calling for prosecution and violence against his political enemies.
Flynn was Trump’s former White House national security advisor and has a history of conflicts with national security bureaucracy. He and Raiklin have been promoting far-right, antigovernment Christian nationalism, accusing liberals, Democrats, and other Trump opponents of aligning with China. They have discussed tactics like detention, tribunals, and more against those who oppose Trump. Raiklin has even compiled a list of over 350 people who he says will face consequences in a second Trump administration.
Some experts have raised concerns about Flynn and Raiklin’s statements and organizing, suggesting that they could violate federal laws against illegal threats. The threats extend to high-profile figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Despite these concerns, Trump has indicated that he intends to involve Flynn in his administration if he is re-elected. This has raised fears among politicians like Michigan’s attorney general, who found herself among the targets on Raiklin’s list, along with other prominent figures.
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