President Donald Trump is moving aggressively to use federal power against a widening list of perceived adversaries, fulfilling a campaign vow to seek retribution. The administration confirmed that the FBI last week searched the Washington-area home of John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser and a vocal critic. Federal prosecutors have also opened or revived investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, while filing charges against Representative LaMonica McIver over an immigration protest in Newark. The Justice Department is reviewing two former Trump officials—Miles Taylor, who anonymously warned of the president’s earlier conduct, and Chris Krebs, who certified the 2020 election as secure. Separately, Trump has demanded the dismissal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage-fraud violations; Cook rejects the claims and plans to challenge the move in court, citing the Fed’s statutory independence. Beyond the legal actions, the president has ordered thousands of National Guard troops and federal agents onto the streets of Washington and earlier deployed Marines and Guard units in Los Angeles. This week he threatened to send forces to Chicago, saying, “I’m actually the chief law-enforcement officer.” Critics say the deployments, coming without requests from local officials, blur traditional limits on domestic military use. Economist Paul Krugman called the attempt to oust Cook a step toward eroding the central bank’s autonomy, warning of “profound and disastrous” consequences if the Fed bends to political pressure. Dartmouth political scientist Brendan Nyhan said the combination of prosecutions and troop deployments illustrates a “clear” pattern of intimidation. The White House counters that Trump is “restoring law and order,” and Vice President JD Vance denies that Bolton or others are being singled out for their views. Trump’s actions are unfolding after the Supreme Court broadened presidential immunity for official conduct and as Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress show little appetite for oversight. Legal scholars say the shifting balance of power is testing the resilience of U.S. institutions designed to constrain the executive branch.