A team of numerous officials from various U.S. government sectors, including intelligence personnel, has been actively supporting President Donald Trump’s campaign to retaliate against individuals he perceives as adversaries. Based on government documents and an insider familiar with the initiative, the Interagency Weaponization Working Group has been in operation since at least May. This group has convened officials from the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, as well as the Justice and Defense Departments, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the IRS, and the Federal Communications Commission, among others, as indicated by two documents.
In January, on his inauguration day, Trump issued an executive order directing the attorney general to collaborate with other federal agencies to investigate and address previous misconduct by the federal government concerning the weaponization of law enforcement and the Intelligence Community. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard established internal groups within their agencies to identify individuals who allegedly abused government authority against Trump.
Following inquiries from Reuters, Fox News reported the existence of the group, with Gabbard acknowledging her role in establishing it. Multiple U.S. officials confirmed the Interagency Weaponization Working Group’s existence to Reuters, stating that its primary objective is to execute Trump’s executive order. The group’s aim is to address what they perceive as ‘the Deep State,’ a term used by Trump and his supporters to describe opponents from past administrations.
Although Reuters could not verify the extent of the group’s operational activities or Trump’s direct involvement, discussions within the group reportedly included individuals such as former FBI director James Comey, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and former U.S. military leaders who enforced COVID-19 vaccination mandates. The group also allegedly considered targets beyond government officials, including Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.
While a senior ODNI official denied targeting individuals for retribution, emphasizing a focus on reviewing evidence of government weaponization for political purposes, the group’s activities and powers remain unclear. The group’s attention extended to various issues, including the prosecution of Jan. 6 rioters, discussions around Jeffrey Epstein files, and the cases of Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. The White House official refuted claims of discussions on Epstein files and provided a different perspective on the group’s focus.
Notably, the involvement of vocal Trump supporters and officials from different agencies, including the CIA, the FCC, the FBI, and the IRS, in the interagency group was indicated in government records. However, specific roles within the group for CIA officers could not be determined, and responses from some agencies were not immediately available. The Department of Homeland Security expressed its commitment to rectifying previous administration actions that caused harm.
The existence of the Interagency Weaponization Working Group underscores the administration’s concerted efforts to utilize government resources against perceived adversaries, reflecting a systematic approach beyond prior reports.
