Trump Allies Signal Aggressive Approach as Second Term Begins

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, his allies are signaling an aggressive approach toward perceived political enemies. Mike Davis, a Trump ally and founder of the Article III Project, recently issued a direct warning to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully won a significant civil fraud case against Trump earlier this year. Davis, rumored to be a top contender for attorney general, suggested James could face imprisonment if she continues her legal battles against Trump.

During an interview on a conservative podcast, Davis used language that underscored the intensity of Trump’s campaign rhetoric. “Listen here, sweetheart,” he told James. “We’re not messing around this time, and we will put your fat ass in prison for conspiracy against rights.” Davis argued that any further actions against Trump would constitute political retribution under federal law and suggested that the next administration would show no tolerance for what he called “Democrat lawfare.”

Trump’s pledge of “retribution” during his campaign has raised concerns among critics who warn that his rhetoric could translate into political retribution. Some of Trump’s supporters initially dismissed such threats as hyperbole. Now, however, Davis’s remarks, coupled with Trump’s claims of an electoral “mandate,” suggest that his administration could pursue an expansive and punitive approach toward opponents.

James, for her part, says she has prepared for such a scenario, anticipating potential retaliation if Trump returned to the White House. In recent public remarks, she stated that her office has prepared “contingency plans” and strategies to address any potential federal interference in New York’s affairs, expressing confidence that her team would “stand tall in the face of injustice, revenge, and retribution.”

As the transition of power unfolds, Trump is expected to staff his administration with allies like Davis, who are prepared to carry out his agenda. Davis, previously a chief counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, has indicated that under a Trump administration, political opponents will face consequences if they continue actions perceived as partisan attacks. James, meanwhile, has vowed to remain resolute, asserting that her office “will continue to protect our most vulnerable and marginalized.”