Donald Trump lists targets for potential prosecution as President
Washington DC: Donald Trump has announced plans to investigate or prosecute several political rivals, former intelligence officials, the country’s former military chief, prosecutors, judges, tech executives, members of Congress, and left-wing activists if he assumes office on Monday.
Trump has indicated that Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and ex-Representative Liz Cheney could face scrutiny. During his campaign, Trump accused Harris of mishandling border security and called for her impeachment and prosecution. He also supported calls for military tribunals to try Cheney and Obama.
While Trump initially appeared to soften his stance on prosecuting Biden in a December interview, he reiterated that legal action could follow if wrongdoing is proven. In the past, he chose not to prosecute Hillary Clinton after winning the 2016 election, citing optics concerns.
Trump continues to express anger over the Russia investigation during his first term, which he labels a "hoax." He has targeted former CIA Director John Brennan, ex-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former FBI Director James Comey, and his deputy Andrew McCabe, accusing them of corruption and calling for their prosecution.
In 2023, Trump branded Adam Schiff, a Democrat and former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, a “traitor” who should face legal consequences.
Retired General Mark Milley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been a specific target. Trump accused Milley of treason and suggested he should face execution over alleged back-channel communications with Chinese officials during the final days of Trump’s presidency.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google, accusing them of election interference. He warned that Zuckerberg could face imprisonment if any illegal activities occur and threatened Google with prosecution for allegedly suppressing positive stories about him.
Trump has called for action against prosecutors and judges who have investigated or ruled against him. This includes Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom were involved in legal cases against Trump. He has also targeted Justice Arthur Engoron for penalties imposed on his businesses.
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Congress using hijab issue to pacify minority anger, alleges Karnataka LoP R Ashoka
Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka has accused the Congress government of using the hijab issue to placate what he described as discontent among minority voters after the Davanagere by-election.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Ashoka alleged that the state government, instead of addressing issues such as price rise, corruption, farmers’ distress and law and order, was attempting to retain its minority vote base by reviving the hijab issue.
Referring to the 2022 dress code introduced by the BJP government, which prohibited hijab in schools and colleges, Ashoka said the Karnataka High Court had upheld the policy and emphasised the importance of discipline in educational institutions.
He questioned the Congress government’s move to revisit the issue and asked whether setting aside the court-backed policy to benefit one community could be described as secularism.
Ashoka further alleged that while the government was willing to permit hijab, it continued to prohibit saffron shawls.
He accused the government of dividing students on religious lines rather than treating schools and colleges as spaces of equality.
Drawing a comparison with Mamata Banerjee’s government in West Bengal, Ashoka claimed that excessive appeasement politics had harmed the state and warned that the Congress in Karnataka could face a similar political response.
He said voters in Karnataka would teach the Congress a lesson for what he termed “vote-bank politics” and for compromising constitutional and judicial principles.
