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People Involved

Key figures in the Trump orbit — allies, appointees, targets, and those who publicly broke with him. Many former officials have spoken out about what they witnessed.

Cabinet Turnover & Loyalty Tests

Trump had the highest cabinet turnover of any modern president. Many who served him closest — his own hand-picked appointees — later described him as unfit for office, a fascist, or a danger to democracy. In the second term, loyalty has replaced competence as the primary qualification for senior positions.

29

Key Figures

11

Spoke Out Against

6

Current Loyalists

5

Revenge Targets

Mike Pence

Broke with Trump

Vice President (2017-2021)

Refused to overturn 2020 election results on Jan 6. Trump supporters chanted "Hang Mike Pence." Pence later ran against Trump in 2024 primary and publicly stated Trump should never be president again.

pence relatedjan 6

James Mattis

Resigned / Spoke Out

Secretary of Defense (2017-2019)

Resigned over Syria withdrawal. Later condemned Trump's response to George Floyd protests: "Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people."

cabinet turnover

John Kelly

Spoke Out

Chief of Staff (2017-2019)

Called Trump "the most flawed person I have ever met" and confirmed Trump praised Hitler: "Hitler did a lot of good things." Called Trump a fascist.

cabinet turnoverinflammatory

John Bolton

Fired / Wrote Book

National Security Advisor (2018-2019)

Published "The Room Where It Happened" detailing Trump's incompetence and corruption. Testified that Trump held Ukraine aid for political investigations.

cabinet turnover

Rex Tillerson

Fired / Spoke Out

Secretary of State (2017-2018)

Reportedly called Trump a "moron." Was fired via tweet. Later stated Trump was "undisciplined" and didn't like to read.

cabinet turnover

Mark Esper

Fired / Wrote Book

Secretary of Defense (2019-2020)

Fired after refusing to deploy active duty troops against BLM protesters. Published book describing Trump as unfit and reporting he suggested shooting protesters in the legs.

cabinet turnover

Bill Barr

Broke with Trump

Attorney General (2019-2020)

Initially a loyalist who shaped Mueller report narrative. Later stated there was no evidence of election fraud and called Trump's claims "bullshit." Still endorsed him in 2024.

cabinet turnover

Mark Milley

Preemptively Pardoned

Chair of Joint Chiefs (2019-2023)

Reported to have intervened to prevent Trump from using the military domestically. Called Trump "fascist to the core." Biden preemptively pardoned him to protect from Trump retaliation.

revengecabinet turnover

Jeff Sessions

Fired / Humiliated

Attorney General (2017-2018)

First senator to endorse Trump. Recused himself from Russia investigation, which enraged Trump. Subjected to months of public humiliation via tweets before being fired. Tried to win back Trump's favor and failed.

cabinet turnoverrevenge

H.R. McMaster

Replaced / Spoke Out

National Security Advisor (2017-2018)

Struggled to manage Trump's impulsive decision-making. In his book, described Trump as easily manipulated by flattery and vulnerable to autocrats like Putin and Erdogan.

cabinet turnover

Gary Cohn

Resigned / Spoke Out

Chief Economic Advisor (2017-2018)

Resigned after Charlottesville when Trump said there were "very fine people on both sides." Reportedly removed documents from Trump's desk to prevent him from signing harmful executive orders.

cabinet turnoverinflammatory

Nikki Haley

Ran Against / Endorsed

UN Ambassador (2017-2018)

Called Trump "unhinged" and "not qualified to be president" during 2024 primary. Then endorsed him anyway. Represents the pattern of Republicans who criticize Trump then fall in line.

sycophancy

Mike Pompeo

Loyal / Sidelined

Secretary of State (2018-2021)

One of the most loyal cabinet members. Ran for president in 2024 but dropped out early. Despite total loyalty, was eventually sidelined from the second term inner circle.

sycophancy

William McRaven

Spoke Out

Admiral (Ret.), SEAL Commander

Led the Osama bin Laden raid. Called Trump the "greatest threat to democracy in my lifetime" and urged Americans to vote him out. One of the most respected military voices to speak against Trump.

cabinet turnover

Cassidy Hutchinson

Testified / Wrote Book

White House Aide (2020-2021)

Testified before Jan 6 Committee that Trump lunged for the steering wheel when Secret Service wouldn't take him to the Capitol. Described Trump throwing plates and ketchup against walls.

jan 6

Elon Musk

Close Ally

DOGE Advisor / Ally (2025-)

Leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the second term. Given broad access to government systems. His involvement has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and unelected power.

doge relatedsycophancy

Kristi Noem

Loyalist

DHS Secretary (2025-)

Leading aggressive immigration enforcement including mass ICE raids. Previously famous for shooting her dog. Implementing Trump's border policies with expanding deportation operations.

ice immigrationsycophancy

Kash Patel

Loyalist

FBI Director (2025-)

Hand-picked to lead the FBI despite having no law enforcement experience. Has a documented "enemies list" of people he wants to investigate. Openly stated he would use the FBI to go after Trump's political opponents.

revengesycophancy

Pete Hegseth

Loyalist

Secretary of Defense (2025-)

Former Fox News weekend host with no government or senior military experience. Nominated to lead the Pentagon despite allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. Represents loyalty over competence.

sycophancy

Tulsi Gabbard

Loyalist

Director of National Intelligence (2025-)

Former Democrat who switched parties. Appointed to lead the intelligence community despite being flagged by intelligence officials for repeated promotion of Russian and Syrian talking points.

sycophancy

Matt Gaetz

Failed Nominee

Nominated for AG (Withdrawn)

Initially nominated for Attorney General despite an active House Ethics investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a minor. Nomination withdrawn when it became clear the Senate would not confirm.

epstein relatedsycophancy

Jerome Powell

Target of Attacks

Federal Reserve Chair

Repeatedly attacked by Trump for not lowering interest rates. Trump publicly threatened to fire him despite Fed independence being a cornerstone of economic stability.

intimidationtariff related

Jack Smith

Dismissed

Special Counsel

Led federal prosecutions against Trump for Jan 6 and classified documents. Cases were dropped after Trump won 2024 election based on DOJ policy not to prosecute sitting president.

legal immunity

Liz Cheney

Target of Revenge

Rep. (R-WY), Jan 6 Committee Vice Chair

Led the Jan 6 investigation and voted to impeach Trump. Lost her primary after Trump backed her opponent. Trump has called for her to be prosecuted and jailed for her role on the committee.

jan 6revengeintimidation

Adam Schiff

Target of Revenge

Rep./Sen. (D-CA), Impeachment Manager

Led Trump's first impeachment as House Intelligence Chair. Trump has called him "Shifty Schiff" and "pencil neck." Now a senator, remains a primary target of Trump's rhetoric.

revengenickname insult

Fani Willis

Target of Attacks

Fulton County DA

Brought the Georgia RICO case against Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Trump has relentlessly attacked her, calling her corrupt and incompetent. Case has been hobbled by legal challenges.

legal immunityrevenge

Jared Kushner

Family / Inner Circle

Senior Advisor (2017-2021)

Son-in-law given vast portfolio including Middle East peace and pandemic response with no relevant experience. After leaving office, received $2B from Saudi sovereign wealth fund despite their advisory panel objecting.

corruptionnepotism

Ivanka Trump

Family / Distanced

Senior Advisor (2017-2021)

Served as senior advisor despite anti-nepotism laws. Secured Chinese trademarks while serving in the White House. Largely distanced herself from Trump's 2024 campaign and second term.

nepotism

Donald Trump Jr.

Family / Inner Circle

Campaign Surrogate / Business

Met with Russian agents at Trump Tower in 2016 seeking "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. Continues to serve as Trump's most combative media surrogate. Runs the Trump Organization alongside Eric Trump.

russia related