Susan Rice threatens that Democrats are going to go after every company that changed its policies to be friendly with the Trump administration
TL;DR
Susan Rice warns that Democrats will pursue legal and regulatory actions against corporations and other entities that supported Trump's policies, urging them to preserve documents for potential subpoenas. This reflects a broader Democratic push for accountability over Trump-era abuses of power, though critics caution against partisan retaliation.
“Democrats are going to go after corporations that took a knee to Trump. There will be no forgive and forget.”
Democrats Signal Corporate Accountability for Trump-Era Ties
Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice has warned that a future Democratic administration will pursue a “sweeping accountability agenda” against corporations, law firms, universities, and media entities that aligned with former President Donald Trump's policies. Speaking in an interview with Preet Bharara, Rice emphasized that such entities, which she described as acting in "short-term self-interest" by supporting Trump, would face legal and regulatory scrutiny if Democrats regain power. She urged corporations to “preserve their documents” and prepare for potential subpoenas.
This rhetoric aligns with broader Democratic criticisms of Trump-era policies, which included executive actions targeting businesses perceived as opposing his agenda. For example, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on law firms like Perkins Coie and WilmerHale, revoked security clearances, and threatened to strip federal funding from universities accused of fostering "hostile environments" according to a tracker. These actions drew legal challenges, with courts ruling some measures unconstitutional or exceeding executive authority as documented.
Rice's comments reflect a growing Democratic emphasis on reversing what they describe as Trump-era abuses of power. Congressman Steve Cohen and others have documented numerous executive orders and policies that disrupted sectors including healthcare, education, and environmental regulation. Democrats argue such actions undermined democratic institutions and prioritized partisan interests over public welfare according to analysis.
However, critics caution that targeting corporations for "legally discharging their duties" could overstep legal boundaries. Legal scholars note that while Democrats may pursue investigations into alleged policy violations, politically motivated enforcement risks setting a precedent for partisan retaliation.
For now, corporations are advised to review compliance protocols and document business decisions, particularly those involving Trump-era partnerships or policy engagements. As Rice stated, "Democrats have had a bellyful" and will "play hardball" against entities they view as complicit in Trump's agenda according to her remarks. The extent to which this translates into concrete legal action remains contingent on future electoral outcomes and judicial rulings.
