Former White House adviser Steve Bannon unveiled a chilling revelation on MSNBC’s Morning Joe show this week, asserting that if Donald Trump secures reelection in 2024, he intends to wield the government’s power to retaliate against media critics. The ominous warning came during Bannon’s podcast, War Room, where he hosted fellow Trump loyalist Kash Patel, a former national security figure in the Trump administration.
In a conversation with Patel, Bannon sought assurance that, in a second Trump term commencing in January 2025, Patel could execute plans to prosecute Trump’s perceived adversaries. Patel affirmed their readiness, referring to a prepared group of Trump loyalists, the “bench,” poised to assume government positions.
While withholding specific names, Patel pledged to “ferret out conspirators, not just within government but also in the media,” vowing to pursue them relentlessly. Bannon directly targeted Morning Joe producers, emphasizing that these threats were not mere rhetoric but “absolutely dead serious.” He suggested that Trump would leverage the Department of Justice to prosecute members of the media.
More Read
These threats escalate concerns surrounding Trump’s increasingly hostile rhetoric toward political opponents and the media. Recent rallies saw Trump denounce the FBI as “vermin” and label the media as “enemies of the state,” positioning himself as a form of “retribution” against the government.
Alarming experts, Trump has explicitly stated his intent to prosecute journalists and political rivals if re-elected, displaying disdain for constitutional checks on presidential power. This authoritarian rhetoric has prompted warnings of a potential move towards autocracy.
The targeted Morning Joe staff labeled Bannon’s threats as “disturbing.” Host Joe Scarborough likened the language to “fascist rhetoric,” suggesting a desire to silence negative coverage. Co-host Mika Brzezinski expressed shock at a former president threatening to use the Department of Justice to imprison reporters, deeming it reminiscent of actions in dictatorships rather than democracies.
Trump and his allies have a history of attacking the media as “fake news” and the “enemy of the people,” attempting punitive measures against critical outlets during his presidency.
While legal experts acknowledge a president’s broad authority over the Justice Department, the actual imprisonment of journalists for unfavorable coverage would be blatantly unconstitutional. Comparisons to authoritarian leaders who have jailed reporters, such as Putin and Erdogan, underscore the gravity of such a move, unprecedented in U.S. history.
Bannon, despite facing contempt of Congress charges last year for defying a subpoena, was pardoned by Trump before leaving office. Remaining influential on the far-right, Bannon continues to be one of Trump’s staunchest supporters.
Kash Patel, known for his defense of Trump during the Russia investigation, faced criticism for his national security roles, seen by some as rooted in loyalty rather than qualification. Alongside Bannon, Patel persists as a fervent advocate for Trump.
These threats against the media coincide with growing fears of political violence and domestic extremism in the U.S., exemplified by the January 6th Capitol attack and other incidents. Experts caution that such rhetoric may further incite violence, creating a perilous environment for journalists simply doing their jobs.
While Bannon and Patel’s vengeance pledges aim to intimidate Trump’s perceived opponents, some argue that the best response is to assert First Amendment rights vigorously. Refusing to be cowed, they assert, is vital for preserving democracy and the rule of law against the encroachment of authoritarianism.
