Wittes: Trump’s Revenge Tour Defined by Malevolence Tempered by Incompetence

Federal prosecutors in Washington are attempting to secure a grand jury indictment against former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, marking the latest move in Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to target political opponents during his second term.

Benjamin Wittes coined the phrase “malevolence tempered by incompetence” more than nine years ago to describe Trump’s focus during his first term. Today, that dynamic defines a federal apparatus steered by true believers attempting to realize presidential revenge fantasies while repeatedly running into legal roadblocks.

The Grand Jury Push Against Cassidy Hutchinson

Hutchinson previously testified before a House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, stating that Trump wanted magnetometers near the White House removed to allow potentially armed rioters to join the crowd. The Justice Department is now asking a grand jury in D.C. to charge her with crimes that could include lying to Congress.

Threatening a former subordinate with jail time to alter the historical record of a coup attempt carries severe implications. Yet this prosecution arrives as several other executive branch efforts to deploy the justice system against political foes have stalled.

Grand juries in Washington have declined to criminally charge Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to disobey illegal orders, alongside a protester accused of throwing a sandwich at a federal immigration agent. Meanwhile, indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey dissolved under judicial scrutiny. Career prosecutors are also balking at taking part in politically charged investigations, leaving the Department of Justice to grapple with staff departures.

The White House Committee Targeting Lisa Cook

The action serves as a redo of an earlier attempt. The Supreme Court temporarily blocked Trump from removing Cook in June during a rare adverse ruling, noting she had not received sufficient opportunity to contest allegations she denies. A majority of the justices also signaled opposition to presidents removing central bank officials on a whim, viewing central bank independence as vital for monetary policy.

The Toll of Investigations and What Remains Unknown

The administration’s focus on retribution highlights how personal grievances continue to drive federal power. While the legal system routinely blocks these attempts, the investigations exact a heavy toll in stress and legal expenses for targets, potentially discouraging others from offering dissent.

Uncertainty remains regarding whether the D.C. grand jury will ultimately indict Hutchinson or how federal courts will rule on the committee’s maneuvers against Cook. With less than half of Trump’s second term complete, the potential for escalating conflict remains high, particularly if Democrats retake Congress next month.