Key Highlights
- The Trump administration has established a new interagency body called the Interagency Weaponization Working Group to investigate perceived enemies.
- This group includes personnel from multiple federal agencies and reportedly targets individuals like former FBI director James Comey, John Bolton, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
- President Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 to collaborate with other federal agencies on identifying and taking appropriate action against past misconduct by the government related to weaponization.
- The White House spokesperson defended the group’s activities, stating that it aims to hold accountable those who weaponized the government against Americans.
Background on the Interagency Weaponization Working Group
According to a Reuters investigation, the Trump administration has created an interagency body known as the Interagency Weaponization Working Group (IWWG). This group is composed of personnel from the White House, FBI, CIA, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and departments such as Justice, Defense, and Homeland Security. The IWWG was operational since May 2025 and met twice a week to coordinate efforts in investigating “the Deep State,” a term used by Trump supporters to refer to alleged left-leaning elements within the government.
Targeted Individuals and Actions
The group reportedly targeted several individuals, including former FBI director James Comey, former national security adviser John Bolton, New York Attorney General Letitia James, President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden, and military leaders who enforced compulsory coronavirus vaccine orders for U.S. service personnel. Additionally, the IWWG discussed investigating officials involved in alleged Russian interference during the 2016 presidential election.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, instructing his new attorney general to collaborate with federal agencies to identify and take appropriate action against past misconduct by the government related to weaponization. This move came after former President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons, including for his son Hunter Biden, former FBI director James Comey, and anti-Trump Republican Liz Cheney.
White House Response and Future Implications
The White House defended the group’s activities through its spokesperson Abigail Jackson. She stated that the entire Trump administration is working together to fulfill President Trump’s promises and implement his Executive Orders to end the Biden weaponization of the American government. The spokesperson noted that under Joe Biden, federal agencies targeted individuals from school board meetings to political opponents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed these sentiments, stating that the previous administration’s Department of Justice targeted President Trump and anyone close to him, prosecuted pro-life advocates, treated parents at school board meetings as domestic terrorists, and destroyed public trust in federal law enforcement.
She emphasized that under President Trump, efforts are underway to end weaponization and restore justice for all.
The establishment of the Interagency Weaponization Working Group raises concerns about potential abuses of power and retaliation against political opponents. Critics argue it could lead to more criminal prosecutions targeting perceived enemies, while supporters view it as a necessary response to previous investigative actions against Trump administration officials during the Biden presidency.
