Trump Weaponizes Federal Power Against Opponents, Universities, Media

President Donald Trump has aggressively leveraged federal government power during his second term, targeting universities, media companies, law firms, and Democratic-led cities as part of a wider culture war. Despite campaigning against a "weaponized deep state," Trump has deployed federal agents and National Guard troops using rarely invoked laws to control local law enforcement in Washington, D.C., and has threatened similar actions in other major cities. His administration has revoked research funding, security clearances, and pursued legal actions against critics, signaling a shift from campaign rhetoric to a governing strategy focused on personal and political vendettas. Supporters have embraced these tactics as fulfilling campaign promises and asserting authority, while critics warn that Trump is crossing constitutional boundaries by weaponizing state power. Trump's frequent poker analogy of holding "all the cards" reflects his worldview of accumulating and deploying power to secure his interests domestically and internationally. This approach marks a significant transformation in executive power use, intensifying political and cultural conflicts.