Since returning to office, President Donald Trump’s campaign to exact revenge against his foes has turned out to be far more expansive, creative, efficient — and less reliant on the justice system — than anticipated. Here’s a breakdown of what he’s done.

Biden Administration Members and Other Democrats

Trump revoked the security clearances of former President Joe Biden as well as members of his administration and other prominent Democrats.

Trump revoked Secret Service protection for Biden’s son Hunter and his daughter Ashley.

Members of the First Trump Administration

Trump revoked security protection for several former members of his first administration, despite warnings from the Biden administration that some faced continuing threats from Iran because of actions they took on Trump’s behalf.

In addition to revoking his security clearance, the Pentagon removed Gen. Mark Milley’s security detail, ordered an inspector general inquiry into his record and took down his portrait from the hallways of the Pentagon.

Trump terminated security protection for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top government official charged with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

People Involved in Criminal or Impeachment Cases Against Trump

Trump revoked the security clearances of dozens of officials and former officials.

Department of Justice, FBI and Other Government Officials

Special counsel team: The Trump administration fired more than a dozen prosecutors who worked for special counsel Jack Smith on two criminal investigations into Trump.

Senior FBI. officials: Several senior employees at the bureau were told to resign.

Senior Justice Department officials: The Trump administration pushed out veteran career lawyers who managed pardon work, bankruptcy litigation and other legal issues, in the latest wave of forced departures.

The Trump administration also began an investigation into federal prosecutors and agents who investigated cases against pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump has also said he intends to strip the security clearances of prosecutors who investigated him and lawyers who played a role in his two impeachments.

The Department of Justice’s pardon attorney was dismissed a day after she refused to recommend that actor Mel Gibson, a prominent supporter of Trump, should have his gun rights restored.

Southern District of New York: A top Department of Justice official appointed by Trump said the department would investigate prosecutors who refused to dismiss corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams of New York.

Russia investigation: The president said he would declassify documents from the FBI’s investigation into ties between Trump and Russia, known as Crossfire Hurricane, which began in 2016.

Inspectors general: Trump fired at least 12 inspectors general, purging the government of several independent watchdogs whom Congress had charged with rooting out abuse and illegality within federal agencies.

Immigration court and watchdogs: The acting head of the U.S. immigration court system and three other top officials were fired. The Trump administration also shut down three watchdog agencies, gutting the offices responsible for conducting oversight of Trump’s immigration crackdown.

51 former intelligence officials: Trump revoked the security clearances of 51 people who signed a letter suggesting that the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop could be Russian disinformation.

Law Firms

Trump targeted a number of law firms with executive orders that would strip their lawyers of security clearances, a move that would cripple the firms’ business. Some of the targeted firms employ lawyers who have worked on investigations into Trump or on causes that his supporters object to. Many of the firms have reached agreements with the Trump administration to avert the order, and top partners have closed ranks in support of the agreements.

Other Firms and Lawyers

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sent letters to 20 law firms requesting information about their employment practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The letters suggested that the firms may have discriminated against white candidates and violated civil rights laws.

Trump issued an order directing the Justice and Homeland Security departments to “seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable and vexatious litigation against the United States.”

Universities

The Trump administration has targeted multiple universities by reducing or pausing federal funding. The government’s rationales for its actions range from accusations of endemic antisemitism on campuses to the participation of a transgender woman on a swim team.

News Organizations

Associated Press: The White House blocked AP reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One because the wire service is using the name Gulf of Mexico rather than Trump’s preferred term, Gulf of America.

PBS: Trump’s Federal Communications Commission chair ordered investigations into sponsorships at PBS.

NPR: Trump’s FCC chair ordered investigations into sponsorships at NPR.

CBS News: Trump’s FCC chair opened an inquiry into CBS News focused on a “news distortion” complaint.

KCBS: Trump’s FCC chair announced an investigation into San Francisco radio station KCBS for its coverage of Trump’s immigration enforcement actions.

NBC News: Trump’s FCC chair ordered an investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Comcast, the parent company of NBC News.

Meta: The parent company of Facebook agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit Trump filed over the suspension of his accounts after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Before the election, Trump had threatened to imprison the company’s co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg.

Public and Cultural Institutions

Presidio Trust: Trump ordered the government to “eliminate to the maximum extent” the functions of the Presidio Trust, which oversees a San Francisco park and was one of Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s proudest accomplishments.

The Smithsonian Institution: Trump issued an executive order claiming that the Smithsonian Institution had “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.” The order stipulated, among other things, that future appropriations to the Smithsonian “prohibit expenditure on exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values.”

The Kennedy Center: The center has been in flux since Trump purged its previously bipartisan board of Biden appointees and had himself elected chair.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Michael S. Schmidt, Matthew Cullen, Lazaro Gamio and Doug Mills

c. 2025 The New York Times Company