A team of numerous officials from various branches of the U.S. government, including intelligence personnel, has been actively supporting President Donald Trump’s efforts to seek retribution against individuals he perceives as adversaries, as per government documents and a reliable source. The Interagency Weaponization Working Group, established since at least May, has brought together representatives from the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, and the Justice and Defense departments, as well as the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, IRS, and Federal Communications Commission, among other agencies, based on two disclosed documents.
President Trump issued an executive order on his inauguration day in January, directing the attorney general to collaborate with other federal agencies to rectify previous government misconduct related to the weaponization of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced internal groups within their agencies earlier this year to uncover individuals who they allege misused government authority against Trump.
Following inquiries from Reuters, Fox News reported the existence of the group, citing Gabbard as the initiator. Several U.S. officials confirmed the presence of the Interagency Weaponization Working Group to Reuters, stating that the group’s objective is to implement Trump’s executive order. The ODNI spokeswoman emphasized the importance of a government committed to depoliticizing and ensuring power is not misused against its citizens.
The interagency group’s existence signifies the administration’s extensive and systematic efforts to utilize government resources against Trump’s perceived adversaries. Trump and his allies refer to “weaponization” in connection to unverified claims that officials from prior administrations misused federal power to target him during various instances. Discussions within the group reportedly included consideration of individuals like former FBI director James Comey, COVID-19 advisor Anthony Fauci, and former military leaders who enforced COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
The source mentioned talks about potential targets extending beyond government personnel to include individuals like Hunter Biden. However, a senior ODNI official denied any targeting for retribution, highlighting the group’s focus on identifying any illegal use of government resources for political purposes. The group’s actions and Trump’s involvement remain uncertain.
The group’s activities involve reviewing alleged acts of weaponization by past administrations, as directed by Trump. The involvement of individuals opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and supporting Trump’s election fraud claims was noted. The group’s authority to enforce action or provide guidance remains unclear.
The group also reportedly discussed retribution related to the prosecution of Jan. 6 rioters, among other topics. The DOJ denied the existence of a separate group focusing on Jan. 6. Individuals involved in the group have diverse views, with some supporting Trump’s claims and others challenging them. The involvement of CIA officers and other federal agencies in the interagency group was noted, though their specific roles were not determined.
Requests for comment from various agencies and individuals mentioned in the documents were not immediately answered. The DHS expressed its commitment to addressing concerns from the previous administration.