Democrats Now Fear a 'Retribution Purge' from President Trump • Franknez.com

The indictment of former FBI Director James Comey has sent a chill through Democratic ranks, with lawmakers quietly poring over their mortgages, tax returns, and personal finances in a frantic bid to shield themselves from what one House member calls a brewing “retribution purge.”

As President Donald Trump’s Justice Department ramps up charges against his old foes, prominent Democrats like Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James are bracing for their turn, viewing the moves as payback for years of investigations into the commander-in-chief.

Comey, 64, was slapped with federal charges Thursday for allegedly obstructing a congressional investigation and making false statements during 2020 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Prosecutors accused him of “corruptly endeavour[ing] to influence, obstruct and impede the due and proper exercise of the power of the inquiry,” zeroing in on whether he “willfully and knowingly” misled lawmakers about the FBI’s 2016 probe into Russian election meddling.

The case echoes the 2017 dinner where Trump pressed Comey for a loyalty pledge—a moment that fueled Comey’s dramatic firing and cries of obstruction.

Comey, ever the picture of resolve, told reporters outside court, “I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump.”

But behind the scenes, the fallout has Democrats on high alert.

Democrats Brace for Bigger Change

A senior House Democrat confided to Axios that “many are… going through mortgages, tax returns, etc.,” while another admitted, “I’ve explored liability insurance,” adding, “And so have other members [in case] they come after us legally.”

The paranoia isn’t baseless.

Trump lit the fuse last week with a blistering Truth Social post, railing at Attorney General Pam Bondi: “Nothing is being done” to prosecute Comey, Schiff, and James.

He branded Schiff “Shifty” and accused both Schiff and James of mortgage fraud, demanding action. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility.

They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!” Trump’s post capped a pattern of public prodding that’s already yielded results.

Enter Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s former personal lawyer with zero prosecutorial experience, who stepped in as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after Erik Siebert’s abrupt resignation.

Siebert bailed after failing to deliver indictments against Comey and James—moves Trump had demanded. Halligan wasted no time, securing Comey’s charges in her first week on the job.

Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, sees the handwriting on the wall.

“I think some fellow House Democrats ‘are going to be, absolutely, targets for this retribution purge,’” he told Axios, calling the preemptive financial checks “wise of certain members who are, you know, more prominent targets.”

Huffman added, “I think we’re all just bracing for turbulence here.”

“No One is Safe”, Says California Rep.

The fears aren’t abstract.

Back in June, New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted for allegedly assaulting an ICE officer during a May protest—a charge she vehemently denies, calling it a politically motivated hit job by the DOJ.

“I’ve been having these conversations since I’ve kind of gotten to Congress, months ago… about how you protect yourself,” McIver shared with Axios.

Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman put it bluntly: “No one is safe.” And California Rep. Gil Cisneros echoed the sentiment: “Obviously, I think there is a worry that… this administration is going to dive into your stuff and kind of trump up some bogus charge just because you were critical of the president.”

James, who spearheaded the civil fraud case that dinged Trump with a $364 million fine (later upheld on appeal despite the penalty being tossed), is a prime target.

Trump yanked her security clearance in February and has floated mortgage fraud probes that fizzled under scrutiny. Schiff, the ex-House Intelligence chair who helmed Trump’s first impeachment, faces similar whispers.

With the Eastern District of Virginia—home to some of the DOJ’s toughest national security cases—now in Halligan’s hands, Democrats worry the floodgates are open.

This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a throwback to Trump’s first term, when he vowed to “lock her up” over Hillary Clinton’s emails and sicced the DOJ on perceived enemies.

Now, with Bondi at the helm and a slim GOP House majority, the “deep state” rhetoric feels like a blueprint for action.

As midterms approach, these preemptive moves—liability policies, financial audits—betray a party that’s not just watching the storm; it’s battening down the hatches.

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