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<p class="metatextline">Updated: October 26, 2024</p>
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<strong>The list of individuals facing political and legal challenges from Donald Trump is extensive. This isn't just about critics of his current policies; old scores are apparently being settled as well. Often involved: the overseer of the mortgage market.</strong>
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Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, investigations against critics from his first term have been mounting. Pressure on officials who stand in his way is also being exerted, and this is happening very publicly. Who is affected, and how are they being targeted? A selection.
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<h2 id="powell-and-the-fed">Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve: A Clash of Interests?</h2>
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In his first term, Trump nominated the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with the warmest words. However, Trump no longer likes to be reminded of this. He prefers to blame his successor, Joe Biden. A fundamental disagreement has emerged between Trump and Powell. Trump wants the independent Federal Reserve System – or "the Fed" – to lower interest rates to boost the domestic economy. Powell isn't ruling it out but has refrained from doing so, as he is wary of stoking inflation.
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Trump becomes furious when Powell doesn’t immediately act as the president wishes, and his insults reflect this. Trump called Powell "stubborn," an "idiot," and a "disaster" on his Truth Social platform before the latest decision on the interest rate level.
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The attempt to discredit Powell with the accusation of mismanagement in renovating part of the Fed building failed. Powell was able to correct Trump in front of the cameras with the actual figures. Trump's problem: Powell refuses to resign, and the president cannot simply fire him because the independence of the central bank has been a high value for the Americans and the markets. And Powell's term still runs until May 2026.
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Jerome Powell has, so far, remained largely unconcerned with Trump’s attacks.
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<h2 id="lisa-cook">Lisa Cook: The Mortgage Market and Political Pressure</h2>
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In Trump's eyes, Lisa Cook has committed the same offense as Powell: As a member of the Fed's board, she consistently votes to maintain the current level of interest rates. Cook was elected for a 14-year term and has only been a member of the Board of Governors since 2022.
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Governors can only be dismissed under certain, narrowly defined conditions, and this is where William "Bill" Pulte comes into play. Pulte, Trump's appointee as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and a fervent admirer of the president.
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At the end of August, Pulte went public with the announcement that his agency possessed a document indicating that Cook had declared two different primary residences in applications for two private mortgage loans to obtain lower interest rates. A case of fraud, Pulte thundered, and called on the president to fire Cook.
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This the president did a few days later, without any solid evidence, let alone charges against Cook. Legal experts also doubt that Trump was entitled to make this decision because the accusations against Cook relate to her private, not her official, behavior. Should the accusation be confirmed, Cook would likely be unsustainable. But this has not been proven yet. The case will likely end up <a href="https://www.example.com/fed-dispute-court" title="Fed Dispute to Court">before the Supreme Court</a>.
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Lisa Cook faces serious, and as-yet-unproven, accusations.
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<h2 id="letitia-james">Letitia James: A Legal Battle and Its Aftermath</h2>
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Letitia James inflicted one of Trump's most humiliating legal defeats. The New York Attorney General had sued Trump and his children, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka, for financial fraud. Among other things, she accused the family members of systematically inflating their balance sheets over years to obtain more favorable loans and insurance. Trump and his children denied any wrongdoing.
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In February 2024, a New York court sentenced Trump and his two sons to a fine of over $350 million. The penalty has since been overturned by an appeals court, as excessive, and Trump still has to answer for fraud.
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Now that Trump is back in office and has appointed an attorney general loyal to him, he is turning the tables. The Justice Department is now investigating whether James violated Trump's rights during her investigations against him. In early August, it served James with a summons. Further investigations are examining the proceedings James initiated in 2020 to dissolve the National Rifle Association (NRA).
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Letitia James successfully brought Trump to court – and severely damaged his reputation as a businessman.
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<h2 id="adam-schiff">Adam Schiff: Retribution for Opposition?</h2>
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For Senator Adam Schiff, being threatened by Trump is nothing new. Schiff was a member of the House of Representatives until 2024 and chaired the Intelligence Committee there. As such, he led the committee's investigations into Trump's contacts with Russia during Trump's first term and later the investigations that the committee conducted in connection with the first impeachment proceedings against Trump.
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At the time, Trump accused Schiff of "treason" and rhetorically questioned whether Schiff should be arrested as a result.
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Now the return match: The House of Representatives is investigating allegations that Schiff agreed to the FBI releasing classified documents that incriminated Trump. And, as if that weren't enough, the notorious Bill Pulte is back in the picture. He is also accusing Schiff of fraud in connection with mortgages. For Trump, it is clear: The "fraudulent" Schiff should therefore be brought before a court.
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Adam Schiff shaped the first impeachment proceedings against Trump. The President has not forgotten that.
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<h2 id="john-bolton">John Bolton: The Price of Disagreement</h2>
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John Bolton is what you might call a classic hawk – extremely conservative, an advocate for a tough stance against Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. The former UN ambassador was appointed by Trump as his National Security Advisor in 2018, after Bolton had supported his presidential candidacy.
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The collaboration lasted almost a year and a half before Trump made it clear that he had grown tired of Bolton. There were massive differences on foreign and security policy issues.
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Bolton described what exactly had led to the rift in a book during Trump's first presidency, in which Trump came off very badly. Bolton described him as corrupt and incompetent and substantiated this with many anecdotes.
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Bolton continues to spread this assessment on many media outlets when it comes to Trump's current foreign policy. Trump immediately withdrew the personal protection Bolton had received after assassination threats from Iran upon his return to the White House.
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And now the Justice Department is investigating Bolton: In August, the FBI searched Bolton's home and office – according to media reports, to clarify whether Bolton might have illegally possessed classified information. This is not without a certain irony. In 2022, Trump himself had vehemently criticized searches at his Florida estate because of the unauthorized removal of boxes of documents from the White House.
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John Bolton waves with demonstrative calm as FBI agents search his house. The relationship with Trump has been strained for years.
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<h2 id="further-proceedings">Further Proceedings: A Pattern of Retribution?</h2>
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The list of those being harassed by the Trump administration through the means of justice can be continued. For example, the Ministry has initiated investigations against former FBI chief James Comey, former CIA director John Brennan, former special counsel Jack Smith, and the Obama administration for their investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
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In a broader sense, this also includes the proceedings that Trump has initiated against major law firms that were hired by Trump's opponents and were involved in proceedings against Trump. He pressed them to agree to act free of charge for concerns supported by Trump. The volume of these activities amounts to tens of millions of dollars.
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William Pulte plays a crucial role in the attacks on Trump's critics and opponents. His allegations have not been proven.
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The trend toward political retribution using legal means is concerning. This pattern could potentially create a chilling effect, dissuading individuals and organizations from criticizing the administration. The weaponization of the justice system erodes public trust and could lead to a decline in free speech. This raises questions about the future of checks and balances in government.
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**Did you know?**
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It's not uncommon for administrations to face scrutiny and legal challenges, but the breadth and scope of these cases are unusual. This situation highlights the deep divisions in American politics.
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**Pro tip:**
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Stay informed by following reputable news sources and legal analysts. Understanding the legal processes and political motivations is key to interpreting these events.
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What are your thoughts on these legal and political developments? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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