On Thursday, President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate ActBlue, the Democratic Party-aligned fundraising platform that has played a crucial role in financing many successful Democratic campaigns. The following day, amid his ongoing conflict with judges who have blocked some of his key initiatives, Trump’s FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on charges related to helping a migrant evade immigration authorities.

The developments sent shockwaves through both the legal and political spheres. Critics accuse Trump of using the power of the federal government to punish his adversaries, marking the latest in a series of actions that many see as part of a broader pattern of weaponizing government agencies to target those who oppose him.

Trump’s Escalating Targeting of Critics

Steve Levitsky, a Harvard political scientist and co-author of How Democracies Die, weighed in on Trump’s actions, noting that they reflect a longstanding pattern of using government institutions as tools for political retribution. “This government has been consistent, from the moment it took office, in weaponizing the government and deploying it against critics,” Levitsky said.

The Justice Department’s complaint accuses Judge Hannah Dugan of helping an individual, allegedly in the country illegally, evade immigration authorities by escorting him out of her courtroom. According to the complaint, Dugan became “visibly angry” when informed of the presence of immigration agents.

The arrest, announced by Trump’s FBI director Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist, has led to protests outside the Milwaukee courthouse. In response, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the actions, calling the arrest a dangerous escalation and an attack on the separation of powers.

Attorney General Sends Warning to Judges

In the wake of Dugan’s arrest, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stark warning to judges across the country, signaling that judges who challenge the president’s initiatives could face repercussions. The comments were made in the context of the administration’s ongoing efforts to target judges who have blocked or delayed Trump’s immigration policies.

“Some of these judges think they are beyond and above the law and they are not, and we’re sending a very strong message today,” Bondi said, referring to Dugan’s case and another incident involving a retired New Mexico judge accused of aiding a migrant.

Trump’s Criticism of Judicial Oversight

Trump himself, speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Pope Francis’ funeral, continued to rail against judges who have stalled his administration’s efforts to speed up deportations. “These are judges who just want to show how big and important they are,” Trump told reporters, expressing frustration over the court orders blocking his deportation efforts.

This hostility toward the judiciary reflects broader concerns about the president’s disregard for the separation of powers, especially as the Republican-controlled Congress remains silent on many of his actions.

Investigating ActBlue: A Political Target?

Trump also targeted ActBlue, the prominent Democratic fundraising platform, by requesting an investigation into potential illegal foreign donations. The move came as Republicans have long struggled to match Democrats’ fundraising prowess. WinRed, the Republican counterpart to ActBlue, has not been subjected to similar scrutiny.

The investigation of ActBlue aligns with a pattern of Trump attempting to undermine political opponents by targeting key infrastructure, such as campaign finance platforms. Brendan Nyhan, a Dartmouth political scientist, drew comparisons to authoritarian regimes that use government power to weaken opposition parties. “We’re well past Watergate,” Nyhan said, emphasizing that Trump’s actions signal the erosion of democratic principles in the U.S. “In a democracy, opposition parties don’t have to fight uphill.”

Conclusion: Trump’s Unprecedented Power Moves

As Trump continues to confront legal challenges and political opposition, his actions are raising alarms about the future of democratic governance in the United States. With investigations into both ActBlue and judges, as well as a broader pattern of retaliation against his critics, Trump’s second term appears increasingly focused on reshaping government institutions to serve his political agenda.