Trump revenge served hot, swift

For all four years of Donald Trump’s first term, Mike Pompeo was one of his closest and most loyal aides – first as CIA director, then secretary of state. But with Mr Trump back in the White House, that hasn’t saved him from being targeted for retribution as the reinstalled US President, described by Paul Kelly on Wednesday as “King” Trump, ruthlessly metes out payback to those he apparently no longer likes or trusts.

Because he was being targeted by Iran for assassination, Mr Pompeo, like Mr Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton, had, even out of office, been assigned official protection. But in one of the new President’s first acts, that security detail has been stripped away. And when Mr Trump was asked whether he would feel responsible if something happened to them, he replied “no”. Such is the tough, take-no-prisoners world of Mr Trump’s muscular politics as he settles into his new term.

The moves contain a message of determined revenge and vindictiveness that even America’s closest allies would be wise not to ignore. Lifetime career public servants in the Department of Justice who were assigned to work on criminal cases against Mr Trump have been terminated. So have government department watchdogs known as inspectors-general. Some 60 key USAID officials, all career officers, have been told they no longer have jobs. While at the same time Mr Trump has launched a “special project” to take “concrete steps” against prosecutors who brought charges against his supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Mr Trump’s appetite for retribution against those who cross his path has never been in doubt. Buoyed by his massive election victory, however, he seems to have decided that revenge is a dish best served piping hot and swiftly.