From the New York Times, I'm Michael Balbaro.

This is a special episode of The Daily.

Earlier this year, we introduced a series focused on what a second Trump presidency would look like,

and how it would challenge democratic norms.

We documented Trump's plans to consolidate power by firing federal workers who would stand in his way,

taking control of federal agencies that have long operated independently,

and using the powers of a government to seek revenge

against his enemies. Today we look more closely at Trump's growing plans for revenge,

which are often dismissed as mere bluster

by his allies and supporters.

But new reporting from my colleague Mike Schmidt shows that it's far from Bluster because as

Mike found when Trump asked for retribution in his first term he got it over and over and over.

It's Friday, October 11th.

Mike, as you know,

Mike, as you know, we have been working on a series about what a second Trump presidency would look like. And inevitably

in thinking about this series we went to you to ask you for your thoughts as

somebody who covered the first Trump term so closely.

And you encouraged us to linger a little bit longer on a question we have started to broach, which is the question of retribution and how

central that would be to a second term.

Why do you think we need to focus on the idea of retribution?

I think this is the most important issue

about Trump and what he could do if he returns to the White House.

...