It’s always been weird the way Democrats and the dying news media refer to President Trump’s plans for “retribution,” both before and after he was elected. It’s like they never bothered to look up the word.
Merriam-Webster defines it as “the act or an instance of responding to an injury with an injury.” More fittingly, Dictionary.com has it as “requital according to merits or deserts, especially for evil.” In other words, repayment.
After news broke Thursday that former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by Trump in his first term, was indicted on charges related to lying to Congress under oath, the “retribution” line was back on repeat.
New York Times: “Trump Gets the Retribution He Sought …”
Associated Press: “Trump escalates retribution campaign …”
PBS: “… as he ramps up retribution campaign.”
Every news article and cable news segment on the topic is naturally accompanied by a Democrat who ominously declares Trump an “authoritarian” who has “weaponized the Justice Department.” (Imagine a president using the Justice Department to prosecute his opponents.)
Sure thing. But what the president’s supporters should have to say about “retribution” is — you’re damn right. Comey, a proud Taylor Swift fangirl, is a proven liar who maliciously manipulated the public by making classified leaks to the media in order to make Trump, his former boss, look bad. Criminal, even.
To the extent that the president is guided by anything personal in his administration holding criminals and otherwise corrupt individuals to account, whatever. Those people endlessly investigated him over fake accusations he was a Russian agent, had him impeached, almost bankrupted him, tried to put him in prison, and, ultimately, got him shot. I’d say he’s earned the right, and not just because voters granted him the power to do it.