Trump Hit List Tracker
Donald Trump has promised retribution against his enemies on the campaign trail and while in office. He hired Kash Patel to run the FBI, specifically because Patel compiled an “enemies list” in his book Government Gangsters. Patel has openly described steps he would take to punish critics of Trump, which include stripping security clearances, dismantling agencies, and shrinking the federal government workforce to make resistance to Trump’s orders less likely.
- Strip Security Clearances – Patel said he wants to “permanently suspend their security clearances forever… not an act of vengeance.” He argues this cuts off the lucrative contracts and jobs former officials rely on.
- Create a Permanent Declassification Office – Patel has proposed a 24/7 presidential declassification office to flood the public with hidden files (JFK, 9/11, Russiagate) in order to expose what he calls deep state misconduct (The Times, AP News, Guardian).
- Slash Bureaucratic Positions to Limit Resistance – Patel questions why every transition fills 4,000 political posts. He argues fewer staff means fewer “veto points” that can resist controversial orders (like former Defense Secretary Mark Esper resisting Trump’s demand to “shoot protesters” in 2020) (GovInfo).
- Turn FBI HQ into a “Museum of the Deep State” – Patel said: “I’d shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the Deep State.” He wants to redeploy the 7,000 HQ staff to field offices as street-level cops.
- Restructure the FBI – Patel calls for splitting intelligence from law enforcement, undoing post-9/11 integration, to reduce what he views as politicized surveillance powers (AP News).
- Prosecute—But Only with Public and Congressional Pressure – Patel wants Congress and the courts to “stop acting as political jackals” and pursue prosecutions, but insists it will only happen if the public demands it (Shawn Ryan transcript).
- Multi-Term Mission – Patel says this can’t be fixed in one term. It’s a long-term structural purge to reduce people and systems who could “say no” to Trump’s orders, even ones as extreme as using military force against protesters.
Patel’s roadmap combines purges (clearances revoked, FBI HQ shuttered), restructuring (shrinking staff, splitting FBI roles), and public campaigns (mass declassification, pressure on Congress) to ensure presidential commands are carried out without resistance.
| Name | Clearance Revoked? | FBI/Admin Action Taken? | Criminally Charged? |
| Michael Atkinson | ☐ | ☐ (Fired as IC Inspector General in 2020 ) | ☐ |
| Lloyd Austin | ☐ | ☐ (Resigned as Biden’s Defense Sec. in Jan. 2025) | ☐ |
| Brian Auten | ☐ | ✅ (Suspended by FBI Director Patel ) | ☐ |
| James Baker | ☐ | ☐ (Resigned from FBI in 2018 amid pressure) | ☐ |
| Bill Barr | ☐ | ☐ (No official action; now a Trump critic) | ☐ |
| John Bolton | ✅ (Courtesy clearance stripped ) | ✅ (Home raided by FBI for documents ) | ☐ |
| Stephen Boyd | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Joe Biden | ✅ (Stripped of access by Trump ) | ☐ | ☐ |
| John Brennan | ✅ (Revoked by Trump ) | ✅ (Under FBI investigation ) | ☐ |
| John Carlin | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eric Ciaramella | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pat Cipollone | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| James Clapper | ✅ (Clearance rescinded ) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hillary Clinton | ☐ | ☐ (FBI investigated emails in 2016) | ☐ |
| James Comey | ☐ (Lost clearance upon 2017 firing) | ✅ (FBI investigating him ) | ☐ |
| Elizabeth Dibble | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Mark Esper | ☐ | ☐ (Fired as Defense Sec. Nov. 2020) | ☐ |
| Alyssa Farah | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Evelyn Farkas | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Sarah Isgur Flores | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Merrick Garland | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Stephanie Grisham | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Kamala Harris | ✅ (Clearance suspended ) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Gina Haspel | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fiona Hill | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Curtis Heide | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eric Holder | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Robert Hur | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cassidy Hutchinson | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Nina Jankowicz | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lois Lerner | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Loretta Lynch | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Charles Kupperman | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Kenneth McKenzie | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Andrew McCabe | ☐ (Fired before retirement ) | ✅ (Fired from FBI in 2018 ) | ☐ |
| Ryan McCarthy | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Mary McCord | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Denis McDonough | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Mark Milley | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lisa Monaco | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Sally Moyer | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Robert Mueller | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Bruce Ohr | ☐ | ☐ (Demoted in 2018, left DOJ 2020) | ☐ |
| Nellie Ohr | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lisa Page | ☐ | ☐ (Resigned from FBI in 2018) | ☐ |
| Pat Philbin | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| John Podesta | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Samantha Power | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Bill Priestap | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Susan Rice | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Rod Rosenstein | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Peter Strzok | ☐ (Fired from FBI, clearance lost ) | ✅ (Fired by FBI over texts ) | ☐ |
| Jake Sullivan | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Michael Sussmann | ☐ | ☐ (Investigated by Durham/FBI) | ✅ (Indicted in 2021 ) |
| Miles Taylor | ☐ | ✅ (DOJ ordered to investigate ) | ☐ |
| Timothy Thibault | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Andrew Weissmann | ✅ (Clearance suspended ) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Alexander Vindman | ☐ | ☐ (Removed from NSC role 2020) | ☐ |
| Christopher Wray | ☐ (Ousted as FBI Director Jan. 2025 ) | ✅ (Replaced by Patel as FBI Director ) | ☐ |
| Sally Yates | ☐ | ✅ (Fired as Acting AG in 2017 ) | ☐ |
If you do not want to purchase his book and if you want to hear it all directly from Kash Patel himself, he clearly lays out his plan during a podcast of the Shawn Ryan Show. It’s all there.
Below is a concise, source-linked background for each person Kash Patel flagged in “Government Gangsters”, focused on why Trump/Patel would target them (public breaks with Trump, testimony, investigations, or resistance to unlawful/abusive directives) and the broader authoritarian pattern (purges, loyalty demands, and using state power against critics). Where helpful, I include Patel’s own stated intentions from his Shawn Ryan interview about revoking clearances and prosecuting perceived “deep state” officials. (Patel on pulling clearances & “accountability”; Esper on Trump’s order to “shoot protesters in the legs”)
Note: Each entry below summarizes who the person is, why (based on Kash Patel’s own rhetoric and Donald Trump’s grievances) they are being targeted, and what publicly reported actions—if any—have been taken against them. Links open in a new tab.
Michael Atkinson
Former Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (2018–2020). Atkinson was the IG who handled the Ukraine whistleblower’s complaint. By law, when he received the anonymous report alleging the President abused his office, Atkinson reviewed it and found it credible and urgent, meaning it should be transmitted to Congress. The Trump DOJ tried to block it, but news of the complaint leaked, sparking the impeachment inquiry. Atkinson’s adherence to the law directly led to Trump’s accountability – and Trump vowed revenge. In April 2020, amid the first wave of COVID, Trump fired Atkinson on a Friday night, saying he “lost confidence” in him. Privately, Trump seethed that Atkinson had been “disloyal.” Atkinson responded via statement that he was fired “simply for doing my job” and that it was difficult not to conclude it was retaliation. Even GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley expressed concern over the lack of explanation for the firing. Patel’s book lists Atkinson as a “gangster” deep-state IG. In Trump’s second term, inspectors general across government are under threat, and Atkinson’s fate is exhibit A.
Trump said in 2020 that Atkinson “did a terrible job, absolutely terrible,” and implied he was part of a plot against him. Atkinson hasn’t spoken further, but he stands by his actions. Given he’s already been removed, one might think Trump’s vengeance is complete – yet he’s on the list, which hints Trump may not be done. Possibly, Trump could order an investigation into Atkinson’s handling of the complaint (to claim he acted improperly by not informing the White House, etc.). It would be baseless, as Atkinson followed the statute. But that might not stop a revenge-driven DOJ from harassing a former IG. The inclusion of an IG like Atkinson on an enemies list sends a chilling message to all watchdogs: if you expose misconduct at the top, you will be punished. Atkinson’s integrity cost him his job, and now he lives with security concerns. His story encapsulates the retribution ethos – “Trump said this is a retribution administration, and we should take him at his word,” as Kash Patel himself has warned
Lloyd Austin
Retired Four-Star General. Austin, the first Black Defense Secretary, implemented policies that Trump’s base despises – from COVID vaccine mandates for troops to initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military. While Austin didn’t personally clash with Trump (he was appointed by Biden after Trump left), he represents the “woke military” concept that Trump rails against. Patel’s list unusually includes Austin – a sitting Cabinet member during Biden’s term – labeling him part of the deep state. Trump has promised to undo many of Austin’s actions: he vowed to reinstate troops discharged for refusing vaccines and to eliminate what he calls “far-left ideology” from the Pentagon. More ominously, Trump suggested at a rally that Austin should be investigated for the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He called the withdrawal “the greatest embarrassment” and said those responsible should face consequences. That clearly points to Austin (and General Milley) – Trump said “the guys at the top who botched it, they should be punished.”
It’s feasible a Trump administration could launch a probe into the Afghanistan withdrawal, even though Trump himself set it in motion with a Taliban deal. Such an inquiry would be highly politicized, aiming to blame Austin (and by extension Biden) for the chaos. Additionally, far-right lawmakers have accused Austin of “extremism” for purportedly targeting conservative troops in his post–Jan.6 stand-down to address extremism in the ranks. They may push for legal action claiming Austin violated service members’ rights or overstepped his authority with vaccine mandates. In fact, House Republicans already talked of zeroing out Austin’s salary or impeaching him over the vaccine issue – a symbolic effort in 2022 that went nowhere. Under Trump, that could gain steam. An impeachment of Lloyd Austin in retrospect would be purely punitive, but not unthinkable given the climate. Austin himself has warned in speeches that the U.S. military must not become politicized and that “we will not be a pawn in anybody’s political game.” Yet, he is now a pawn in Trump’s.
By placing Austin on the enemies list, Trump signals that even those who simply carried out the Biden administration’s policies will be held “accountable” under his rule. Austin’s distinguished four-decade military career means nothing to Trump’s movement except that a symbol of diversity and competence must be torn down since he served under Biden. It’s a dangerous precedent – punishing a former SecDef for policy differences – but Trump’s rhetoric and Patel’s list point exactly in that direction.
Brian Auten
FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst. Auten played a behind-the-scenes role in two politically charged investigations: the Russia probe and the 2020 Hunter Biden inquiry. In 2016–2017, Auten helped vet aspects of the Steele dossier and the Carter Page FISA applications. In 2019, the DOJ Inspector General found that Auten made some mistakes – for instance, not thoroughly documenting certain verifications – and he was one of several agents disciplined for the Russia investigation’s missteps. (He was briefly suspended for 30 days, but IG Horowitz noted no evidence of political bias in the probe.) Later, in 2020, Auten was involved in analyzing information related to Hunter Biden. Republican senators alleged that Auten “downplayed” derogatory reports about Hunter, dismissing them as disinformation – charges Auten denies. Kash Patel singled out Auten in his book, fuming that “the fact that Auten was not fired… and prosecuted for his part in Russiagate is a national embarrassment,” and accusing him of ignoring Hunter’s laptop contents.
Once Patel took over the FBI in 2025, Auten quickly felt the backlash when the FBI placed Auten on administrative leave in April 2025, just days after Patel’s confirmation. The Bureau gave no official reason, but it was clear Auten was suspended because his name appeared on Patel’s enemies list. This unprecedented removal of an analyst for past, debunked allegations signaled that Patel is purging those he deems disloyal. Auten’s case is chilling – he’s a career expert on Russia, yet simply being mentioned in Patel’s book as a villain seems to have ended his FBI career. Trump and Patel’s message is that any FBI personnel connected to the Russia or Hunter investigations will be dealt with. Notably, Auten had already been reassigned out of sensitive work when Patel came in, and now even that wasn’t enough – he’s gone.
Bill Barr
Former Attorney General (2019–2020). Initially a loyalist who shielded Trump from Mueller’s report, Barr ultimately broke with Trump by refusing to validate false election-fraud claims. In December 2020, Barr told Trump his fraud allegations were “bullshit,” leading to his resignation (Reuters). He has since publicly warned that Trump’s post-election behavior was “detached from reality” and dangerous. Trump was enraged by Barr’s defection. (Notably, Barr later revealed he “categorically opposed” elevating Kash Patel at the FBI, saying it would happen “over my dead body” due to Patel’s lack of qualifications (Senate Judiciary).)
John Bolton
Trump’s former National Security Adviser; author of The Room Where It Happened, a scathing memoir about Trump’s foreign-policy conduct. In August 2025, the FBI searched Bolton’s home in a classified-documents probe (Reuters).
Bolton became one of Trump’s most prominent Republican critics—precisely the kind of disloyalty Patel’s rhetoric treats as “borderline treasonous.” The raid has fueled concerns of retaliatory use of law-enforcement (Guardian) (Axios).
Mark Esper
Trump’s Defense Secretary (2019–2020), fired after the 2020 election. In his memoir and a 60 Minutes interview, Esper said Trump asked whether troops could “just shoot” protesters “in the legs.”
Esper is a marquee example of an official refusing an unlawful or dangerous order—precisely the “people who say no” that Patel wants removed.
Stephanie Grisham
Trump’s White House Press Secretary and Melania Trump’s chief of staff. Resigned on Jan. 6, 2021; later authored I’ll Take Your Questions Now, a memoir critical of Trump (AP) (NYT) (Congressional Record).
Grisham’s memoir exposed inner-circle dysfunction and her resignation on Jan. 6 marked open defiance. In authoritarian-style loyalty systems, public criticism like hers equates to betrayal.
Alyssa Farah
Former White House Communications Director who resigned in December 2020 after Trump’s refusal to accept the election results (Washington Post). Later became a CNN commentator and testified before the Jan. 6 Committee (Transcript).
Farah publicly criticized Trump’s actions after leaving the White House, directly violating his demand for perpetual loyalty. By turning critic, she embodied the betrayal that Patel and Trump consider “disloyalty” worthy of punishment (Axios) (People).
Cassidy Hutchinson
Top aide to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows who delivered explosive testimony to the House Jan. 6 Committee. She recounted hearing Trump say “I don’t f***ing care that they have weapons. They’re not here to hurt me. Take the f***ing mags away. Let my people in” (Jan. 6 Report). She also described Trump’s demand to go to the Capitol and the ensuing altercation reported to her by Tony Ornato.
Hutchinson later detailed efforts by Trump allies to influence her testimony—messages like “he knows you’re loyal, and you’re going to do the right thing”—which the committee flagged as potential witness tampering (Washington Post) (Guardian).
Charles Kupperman
Former Deputy National Security Adviser who worked alongside Patel at the NSC. Kupperman called Patel’s elevation to lead the FBI “appalling,” citing Patel’s modest legal background and “ludicrous” ideas (Washington Post) (WSJ).
Miles Taylor
Former DHS chief of staff who authored the anonymous 2018 NYT op-ed and later revealed himself publicly. In April 2025, Trump issued a presidential memorandum revoking Taylor’s security clearances and ordering DOJ to investigate him (Reuters) (White House).
Taylor called the move an attack on free speech and a clear example of weaponizing government against critics (PBS).
Fiona Hill
Senior NSC Russia expert who testified during Trump’s first impeachment about his attempts to pressure Ukraine. She warned Republicans to stop promoting the “fictional narrative” that Ukraine interfered in 2016 (Transcript) (Guardian).
Hill’s forthright testimony against Trump in the impeachment hearings cemented her as a target. Her refusal to remain silent exemplifies the kind of institutional defiance Patel brands as “borderline treason.”
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman
NSC Ukraine expert and key witness in the first impeachment; removed from the NSC in February 2020 and later retired from the Army citing retaliation (PBS) (Axios).
In 2025, D.C.’s U.S. Attorney sent a letter demanding documents from Vindman’s twin brother, Rep. Eugene Vindman, regarding Ukraine-related work—denounced by Vindman as intimidation of Trump critics (Washington Post).
Curtis Heide
FBI agent referenced in the Durham probe, criticized for case-handling errors during the Russia investigation. DOJ’s Durham Report (2023) noted his mistakes in handling Crossfire Hurricane but found no political bias. Heide represents the type of mid-level FBI investigator Patel views as part of the “deep state” obstructing Trump.
Though not a household name, Heide is grouped in with “Crossfire Hurricane” agents Patel wants removed. His inclusion underscores that Patel’s purge agenda isn’t limited to senior leadership—it extends to line-level investigators who crossed Trump.
Eric Holder
U.S. Attorney General under President Obama. Longtime critic of Trump and Republican attacks on DOJ independence. Holder has warned repeatedly that Trump’s approach to law enforcement is authoritarian and dangerous (NYT).
As Obama’s AG and later as a critic, Holder embodies the institutional opposition Trump and Patel seek to delegitimize. Patel’s list extends beyond Trump-era officials to include prominent Democratic figures viewed as enemies.
Robert Hur
Special Counsel appointed in 2023 to investigate President Biden’s handling of classified documents. In his report, Hur criticized Biden’s memory lapses but declined prosecution (DOJ).
Hur’s inclusion on Patel’s list reflects Trump’s strategy of targeting officials associated with investigations—even when the probe hurt Biden more than Trump. Hur represents the broader law-enforcement establishment Trump insists is politicized.
Nina Jankowicz
Head of DHS’s short-lived Disinformation Governance Board (2022). She resigned after a coordinated smear campaign from right-wing media (Guardian).
Trump allies cast Jankowicz as a symbol of “deep state censorship.” Patel’s inclusion of her underscores how Trump’s enemies list reaches beyond officials directly involved in his cases to those who challenged disinformation narratives.
Lois Lerner
Former IRS Director of Exempt Organizations (2006–2013). Lerner was at the center of the 2013 IRS scandal involving extra scrutiny of nonprofit applications by Tea Party and progressive groups. An Inspector General found the IRS used inappropriate criteria (like names such as “Tea Party”) to flag applications for review. Lerner apologized, but when called before Congress, she invoked the Fifth Amendment. Republicans accused her of orchestrating partisan targeting of conservatives (though investigations found no proven political bias, just mismanagement). Lerner retired in 2013 but became a hate figure on the right, with Trump frequently citing the IRS scandal as proof of Obama-era weaponization. Patel’s list includes Lerner as a prime example of a “deep state” bureaucrat who persecuted patriots.
In reality, Lerner has been out of the public eye for a decade. Trump’s grievances run deep: he claimed the IRS scandal was “worse than Watergate” and was furious she was never prosecuted. The Trump DOJ in 2017 reviewed her case and declined charges. Nonetheless, Trump’s allies such as Peter Navarro vowed in 2024 that a second Trump term would “finally put her in jail.” For Trump’s base, Lerner’s name still evokes fury, making her a symbolic target for retribution.
Loretta Lynch
U.S. Attorney General under President Obama (2015–2017). Oversaw DOJ during the 2016 Clinton email probe, including the infamous tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton. Republicans accused her of politicizing DOJ. She later defended the integrity of the FBI and DOJ against Trump’s attacks (NBC).
Lynch is targeted by Patel as part of the Obama-era DOJ leadership Trump blames for “weaponizing” law enforcement. Her defense of DOJ independence placed her in Trump’s crosshairs.
Andrew McCabe
Former FBI Deputy Director, fired in 2018 just before retirement. Inspector General reports faulted him for lack of candor during an internal probe, though McCabe has long argued his firing was political retaliation. DOJ later settled his lawsuit, restoring his pension.
Trump has attacked McCabe repeatedly, labeling him corrupt for his role in the Russia probe. Patel’s inclusion of McCabe signals continuation of Trump’s vendetta against FBI leadership from 2016–2018.
Ryan McCarthy
Secretary of the Army under Trump (2019–2021). Involved in deliberations over deploying the National Guard on Jan. 6, 2021. He has defended military decision-making and resisted politicization of the Army (Army.gov).
McCarthy’s presence on Patel’s list reflects Trump’s hostility toward Pentagon officials who didn’t follow his demand for a militarized response to protests and Jan. 6.
Mary McCord
Former Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security. She supervised early aspects of the Russia investigation and later worked with the House on impeachment-related litigation (NYT).
McCord has argued publicly that Trump posed a threat to rule of law. Her inclusion signals Patel’s focus on national-security lawyers who resisted Trump’s conduct and defended oversight.
Denis McDonough
White House Chief of Staff under President Obama (2013–2017); later served as Secretary of Veterans Affairs under Biden. A longtime Democratic policymaker, McDonough is associated with Obama-era policies Trump has vilified. His VA tenure included expanding access to benefits for toxic-exposed veterans (VA.gov).
McDonough’s inclusion on Patel’s list reflects Trump’s sweeping hostility to Obama and Biden officials, especially those running large federal bureaucracies. As VA Secretary, he represented precisely the kind of institutional continuity Trump wants to purge.
Mark Milley
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2019–2023). Milley repeatedly pushed back against Trump’s attempts to politicize the military. In summer 2020, after walking with Trump to St. John’s Church following a protest crackdown, he publicly apologized, saying the military should not be seen as involved in domestic politics (NBC).
Milley also reportedly warned Trump not to misuse the military to cling to power after the 2020 election, even telling aides he feared a “Reichstag moment” (New Yorker). Milley epitomizes resistance to unlawful orders, making him a prime target in Patel’s purge narrative.
Lisa Monaco
Deputy Attorney General under Biden (2021–2025). Oversaw DOJ operations including Trump-related prosecutions. Monaco played a central role in authorizing indictments of Trump and associates on January 6 and classified documents cases (DOJ).
Her leadership in holding Trump legally accountable ensures her place on Patel’s list. Patel has openly advocated for stripping security clearances from Biden DOJ officials he views as political enemies.
Sally Moyer
FBI lawyer who worked on the Clinton email and Russia investigations. Mentioned in Inspector General reports for critical texts about Trump but not accused of bias in investigative decisions (DOJ IG).
Moyer’s inclusion reflects Patel’s desire to punish even mid-level career FBI lawyers whose private skepticism of Trump became public. She symbolizes for Trump the “politicized FBI culture” he wants eradicated.
Robert Mueller
Former FBI Director; served as Special Counsel (2017–2019) investigating Russian interference and Trump campaign contacts. His report documented numerous contacts and outlined 10 episodes of potential obstruction of justice but did not indict a sitting president (DOJ SCO).
Mueller’s probe is the quintessential “disloyal” investigation in Trump’s view. Patel’s inclusion of him is unsurprising—Mueller embodies the rule-of-law challenge to Trump’s demand for personal loyalty.
Bruce Ohr
Senior DOJ official who was demoted in 2018 for undisclosed contacts with Christopher Steele; he retired in 2020. Ohr became a focus of Trump and GOP claims that DOJ was biased against him (WSJ).
Patel includes Ohr as part of his narrative of “Russiagate conspirators.” Trump has often attacked Ohr and his wife Nellie as symbols of alleged DOJ corruption.
Nellie Ohr
Contractor for Fusion GPS and wife of Bruce Ohr. She conducted research that contributed to the Steele dossier. Trump and allies portrayed her work as proof of anti-Trump bias, despite no evidence she influenced DOJ decisions directly (NYT).
Her presence on Patel’s list reflects the breadth of Trump’s retribution drive: even private contractors associated with investigations are branded enemies.
Lisa Page
Former FBI lawyer who exchanged texts critical of Trump with agent Peter Strzok. She resigned in 2018 amid intense political pressure. The texts became central to GOP claims of a biased “deep state” FBI (NBC).
Page’s personal texts were weaponized into a loyalty narrative. Her inclusion on Patel’s list demonstrates Trump’s intent to punish even private expressions of criticism within government ranks.
Pat Philbin
Deputy White House Counsel under Trump. Played a key role in defending Trump during the first impeachment trial, but later reportedly resisted Trump’s most extreme plans to overturn the 2020 election (ABC).
Patel’s inclusion of Philbin reflects Trump’s intolerance of dissent, even among lawyers who largely defended him but balked at outright illegality.
John Podesta
Democratic strategist, former Clinton campaign chairman, and Biden climate advisor. Podesta has been central to Democratic politics for decades and is deeply loathed by the right due to hacked campaign emails released by WikiLeaks in 2016 (Guardian).
Podesta’s inclusion is less about personal conflict with Trump and more about symbolic retribution against long-time Democratic figures tied to the Clintons and Obama. Patel brands such figures as “deep state power brokers.”
Samantha Power
Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. (2013–2017) and USAID Administrator (2021–2025). Her role in Russia-sanctions diplomacy and later leading USAID under Biden made her a frequent Trump target. She was also pulled into the 2020 “unmasking” controversy when a declassified list showed officials (including Power) who lawfully requested identities in intelligence reports related to Michael Flynn; a subsequent DOJ review found no evidence officials “were seeking derogatory information” or targeting Flynn improperly (Axios; DOJ Bash Report). Power’s Biden-era USAID tenure is documented by official bios (Britannica; Harvard Kennedy School).
Why on Patel’s list: A high-profile Obama/Biden national-security figure who defended institutional process against Trump’s narratives. The “unmasking” flap became a loyalty-test cudgel despite reviews showing routine procedure, not wrongdoing (PolitiFact).
Bill Priestap
Assistant Director for FBI Counterintelligence (2015–2018) who approved opening “Crossfire Hurricane,” the 2016 counterintelligence probe into Trump-Russia links (DOJ IG). His decisions and the broader probe are central to Trump’s grievance narrative; IG reviews found serious FISA errors but did not find political bias in opening the investigation (overview).
Why on Patel’s list: Symbol of the Russia investigation leadership that Trump/Patel frame as “politicized.”
Susan Rice
Obama National Security Adviser (2013–2017) and later U.S. Domestic Policy Council Director under Biden. Author of Tough Love (2019), which criticized Trump’s foreign-policy approach (Simon & Schuster). Rice was also dragged into the 2020 “unmasking” debate; Republicans subpoenaed unmasking records in 2017, but subsequent reviews did not substantiate claims of political spying (Axios 2017; DOJ Bash Report).
Why on Patel’s list: Senior Obama-era official who publicly rebuked Trump and is tied (in MAGA narratives) to “unmasking” and the Russia response.
Rod Rosenstein
Deputy Attorney General (2017–2019) who appointed Robert Mueller as Special Counsel on May 17, 2017, to oversee the Russia investigation (DOJ press release; Appointment Order).
Why on Patel’s list: Trump blames Rosenstein for launching the investigation that dominated his presidency and led to obstruction-of-justice scrutiny.
Peter Strzok
Senior FBI counterintelligence agent on the Russia and Clinton cases; fired in August 2018 after anti-Trump texts surfaced (Washington Post). His firing—overriding a proposed suspension—became a rallying point for Trump’s claims of a “biased FBI.”
Why on Patel’s list: Central exhibit in Trump’s narrative that the FBI was “disloyal” and “weaponized” against him.
Jake Sullivan
National Security Advisor to President Biden (2021–2025); previously a top aide to Hillary Clinton and VP Biden (Harvard Kennedy School; bio). As NSA, he drove tech-export controls on China and broader strategic initiatives that drew sustained attacks from Trump allies (Wired profile).
Why on Patel’s list: Senior Biden adviser and longtime Clinton ally—seen in MAGA politics as an architect of policies and investigations aligned against Trump; his clearance was among those Trump targeted in 2025 (TIME list).
Michael Sussmann
Attorney linked to the Clinton campaign who was indicted by Special Counsel John Durham in 2021 for allegedly lying to the FBI about bringing Alfa-Bank data as a private citizen. A D.C. jury acquitted Sussmann in May 2022 (Axios; TIME explainer).
Why on Patel’s list: A touchstone in Trump-world narratives about “Russiagate” malfeasance—despite acquittal, used to justify retributive pursuits.
Timothy Thibault
Former FBI assistant special agent in charge who resigned in August 2022 amid GOP claims he improperly handled aspects of the Hunter Biden inquiry; Thibault denies political bias (CBS News).
Why on Patel’s list: Cited by Trump allies as proof of a “politicized FBI,” fitting the broader purge narrative.
Andrew Weissmann
Former lead prosecutor on the Mueller team; frequent public critic of Trump. In March 2025, media tallies of Trump’s clearance-revocation memo listed Weissmann among those stripped (Newsweek list; TIME overview).
Why on Patel’s list: Prominent Mueller figure and ongoing Trump critic—an archetype in the retribution framework focused on Russia-probe alumni.
Christopher Wray
FBI Director (Aug. 2, 2017 – Jan. 20, 2025). Announced in Dec. 2024 he would step down at the end of the Biden administration; the Senate confirmed Kash Patel as his successor on Feb. 20, 2025, in a 51–49 vote (Reuters; ABC News; CBS News; AP).
Why on Patel’s list: Wray defended FBI independence and drew Trump’s ire. Replacing him with Patel aligns with the push to reduce internal resistance and pursue perceived “enemies.”
Sally Yates
Former Acting Attorney General at the start of the Trump administration. Fired on January 30, 2017, for refusing to defend Trump’s first travel ban, which courts later blocked as unconstitutional (NPR).
Why on Patel’s list: A defining example of institutional resistance—Yates followed the law and her oath over Trump’s orders. Her firing was Trump’s first public purge of a senior DOJ official, and Patel now cites her as an archetype of “deep state obstruction.”
James Baker
Former FBI General Counsel; later Twitter Deputy General Counsel. Reviewed Carter Page FISA applications and defended elements of the Russia probe, while acknowledging its flaws (Business Insider).
Why on Patel’s list: Seen as part of the “Russiagate” leadership. Baker also became a target of MAGA outrage during the “Twitter Files” hearings, with Trump allies accusing him of suppressing information about Hunter Biden despite no evidence of illegality (Axios).
James Clapper
Director of National Intelligence (2010–2017). Oversaw the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump. Trump revoked Clapper’s clearance in 2018 alongside John Brennan’s.
Why on Patel’s list: Clapper embodies the intelligence community Trump/Patel accuse of “politicized” resistance. His Russia assessment directly contradicted Trump’s denial of interference.
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee. Investigated by the FBI for use of a private email server; recommended no charges in 2016 (FBI statement).
Why on Patel’s list: Clinton is Trump’s original rival, central to “lock her up” chants. In 2025, Trump’s clearance-revocation memo explicitly included her (TIME).
James Comey
FBI Director (2013–2017). Fired by Trump in May 2017 after refusing to pledge “loyalty.” Comey’s firing became the catalyst for Mueller’s appointment (Senate testimony).
Why on Patel’s list: Comey symbolizes independence from Trump’s loyalty demands. His memoir A Higher Loyalty compared Trump to a mob boss, writing his demand “was like Sammy the Bull’s Cosa Nostra induction ceremony” (NPR).
Elizabeth Dibble
Career diplomat, former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in London. Mentioned in impeachment-era discussions of Ukraine policy. Her inclusion reflects Patel’s sweep of diplomats viewed as undermining Trump.
Why on Patel’s list: Patel extends the “deep state” label to career foreign service officers who elevated duty to law and diplomacy over Trump’s political narrative.
Mark Esper
Secretary of Defense (2019–2020). Fired by Trump days after the 2020 election. In his memoir and a CBS 60 Minutes interview, Esper revealed Trump asked whether troops could “just shoot” protesters “in the legs.” He also described blocking attempts to use the Insurrection Act against civilians (Axios).
Why on Patel’s list: Esper exemplifies institutional resistance to unlawful presidential orders. Patel has explicitly said he wants fewer Pentagon officials able to “say no” to Trump.
Alyssa Farah
White House Communications Director who resigned in December 2020 after Trump refused to accept the election results (Washington Post). Later testified before the Jan. 6 Committee and became a prominent critic on CNN (Committee transcript).
Why on Patel’s list: Farah represents high-profile defections: a loyal staffer turned outspoken critic. For Trump/Patel, that shift is treated as betrayal.
Evelyn Farkas
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia under Obama. In 2016–17 she publicly urged Congress to investigate Trump’s ties to Russia (NBC; Politico).
Why on Patel’s list: Outspoken critic tied to early Russia warnings—proof to Trump’s base of disloyal “deep state” activity.
Sarah Isgur Flores
DOJ spokesperson under Jeff Sessions. Later a CNN political analyst, she often critiqued Trump’s legal conduct (CNN bio).
Why on Patel’s list: Even former appointees turned critics are branded disloyal. Patel’s inclusion of Flores highlights Trump’s zero tolerance for perceived betrayal.
Merrick Garland
Attorney General under Biden (2021–2025). Oversaw DOJ prosecutions of Trump in the Jan. 6 and classified-documents cases (AP).
Why on Patel’s list: Garland personifies legal accountability for Trump. Patel has demanded Congress pursue Garland, accusing him of “breaking subpoenas” and weaponizing DOJ.
Stephanie Grisham
Trump White House Press Secretary and Melania Trump’s chief of staff. Resigned on Jan. 6, 2021. Later published a memoir I’ll Take Your Questions Now critical of Trump (NPR).
Why on Patel’s list: Her resignation during the insurrection and her tell-all book mark her as disloyal in Trump’s eyes.
Kamala Harris
Vice President (2021–2025). In March 2025, Trump revoked her clearance in a sweeping memorandum targeting Biden, Harris, Clinton, and others (TIME; Reuters).
Why on Patel’s list: As Biden’s VP and a sharp critic of Trump, Harris epitomizes partisan opposition, making her an inevitable target for loyalty purges.
Gina Haspel
CIA Director (2018–2021). Career officer who sometimes clashed with Trump over intelligence assessments, including Russia and North Korea. Reports said she threatened to resign in 2020 if Trump installed Patel as acting CIA Director (NYT).
Why on Patel’s list: Haspel is cast as “disloyal intel” for siding with professional assessments over Trump’s preferences. Her resistance to Patel’s promotion at CIA makes her a direct personal enemy.
Fiona Hill
Senior NSC Russia expert who testified during Trump’s first impeachment about his attempts to pressure Ukraine. She warned Republicans to stop promoting the “fictional narrative” that Ukraine interfered in 2016 (Transcript) (Guardian). Her memoir There Is Nothing for You Here is openly critical of Trump.
Hill’s forthright testimony against Trump in the impeachment hearings cemented her as a target. Her refusal to remain silent exemplifies the kind of institutional defiance Patel brands as “borderline treason.”
Curtis Heide
FBI agent referenced in the Durham probe, criticized for case-handling errors during the Russia investigation. DOJ’s Durham Report (2023) noted his mistakes in handling Crossfire Hurricane but found no political bias in opening the investigation (Durham Report).
Though not a household name, Heide is grouped in with “Crossfire Hurricane” agents Patel wants removed. His inclusion underscores that Patel’s purge agenda isn’t limited to senior leadership—it extends to line-level investigators who crossed Trump.
Eric Holder
U.S. Attorney General under President Obama. Longtime critic of Trump and Republican attacks on DOJ independence. Holder has warned repeatedly that Trump’s approach to law enforcement is authoritarian and dangerous (NYT).
As Obama’s AG and later as a critic, Holder embodies the institutional opposition Trump and Patel seek to delegitimize. Patel’s list extends beyond Trump-era officials to include prominent Democratic legal figures viewed as enemies.
Robert Hur
Special Counsel appointed in 2023 to investigate President Biden’s handling of classified documents. In his report, Hur criticized Biden’s memory lapses but declined prosecution (DOJ).
Hur’s inclusion on Patel’s list reflects Trump’s strategy of targeting officials associated with investigations—even when the probe hurt Biden more than Trump. Hur represents the broader law-enforcement establishment Trump insists is politicized.
Nina Jankowicz
Head of DHS’s short-lived Disinformation Governance Board (2022). She resigned after a coordinated smear campaign from right-wing media (Guardian).
Trump allies cast Jankowicz as a symbol of “deep state censorship.” Patel’s inclusion of her underscores how Trump’s enemies list reaches beyond officials directly involved in his cases to those who challenged disinformation narratives.
Lois Lerner
Former IRS Director of Exempt Organizations (2006–2013). Lerner was at the center of the 2013 IRS scandal involving extra scrutiny of nonprofit applications by Tea Party and progressive groups. An Inspector General found the IRS used inappropriate criteria (like names such as “Tea Party”) to flag applications for review. Lerner apologized, but when called before Congress, she invoked the Fifth Amendment. Republicans accused her of orchestrating partisan targeting of conservatives (though investigations found no proven political bias, just mismanagement). Lerner retired in 2013 but became a hate figure on the right, with Trump frequently citing the IRS scandal as proof of Obama-era weaponization. Patel’s list includes Lerner as a prime example of a “deep state” bureaucrat who persecuted patriots.
In reality, Lerner has been out of the public eye for a decade. Trump’s grievances run deep: he claimed the IRS scandal was “worse than Watergate” and was furious she was never prosecuted. The Trump DOJ in 2017 reviewed her case and declined charges. Nonetheless, Trump’s allies such as Peter Navarro vowed in 2024 that a second Trump term would “finally put her in jail.” For Trump’s base, Lerner’s name still evokes fury, making her a symbolic target for retribution.
Loretta Lynch
U.S. Attorney General under President Obama (2015–2017). Oversaw DOJ during the 2016 Clinton email probe, including the infamous tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton. Republicans accused her of politicizing DOJ. She later defended the integrity of the FBI and DOJ against Trump’s attacks (NBC).
Lynch is targeted by Patel as part of the Obama-era DOJ leadership Trump blames for “weaponizing” law enforcement. Her defense of DOJ independence placed her in Trump’s crosshairs.
Andrew McCabe
Former FBI Deputy Director, fired in 2018 just before retirement. Inspector General reports faulted him for lack of candor during an internal probe, though McCabe has long argued his firing was political retaliation. DOJ later settled his lawsuit, restoring his pension.
Trump has attacked McCabe repeatedly, labeling him corrupt for his role in the Russia probe. Patel’s inclusion of McCabe signals continuation of Trump’s vendetta against FBI leadership from 2016–2018.
Ryan McCarthy
Secretary of the Army under Trump (2019–2021). Involved in deliberations over deploying the National Guard on Jan. 6, 2021. He has defended military decision-making and resisted politicization of the Army (Army.gov).
McCarthy’s presence on Patel’s list reflects Trump’s hostility toward Pentagon officials who didn’t follow his demand for a militarized response to protests and Jan. 6.
Mary McCord
Former Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security. She supervised early aspects of the Russia investigation and later worked with the House on impeachment-related litigation (NYT).
McCord has argued publicly that Trump posed a threat to rule of law. Her inclusion signals Patel’s focus on national-security lawyers who resisted Trump’s conduct and defended oversight.
Lisa Monaco
Deputy Attorney General under Biden (2021–2025). Oversaw DOJ operations including Trump-related prosecutions. Monaco played a central role in authorizing indictments of Trump and associates on January 6 and classified documents cases (DOJ).
Her leadership in holding Trump legally accountable ensures her place on Patel’s list. Patel has openly advocated for stripping security clearances from Biden DOJ officials he views as political enemies.