Attorney Offers Advice to Potential Targets of Trump: "Take A Vacation"
The initial days and weeks of the Trump administration will indicate the level of commitment they will show in pursuing those they see as perceived enemies.
TroibNews 
Mark Zaid is known for his role as a national security attorney, particularly in defending whistleblowers who expose government misconduct. Recently, however, he has found himself catering to a different clientele: individuals critical of President-elect Donald Trump who are apprehensive about potential legal retribution from a new Trump administration.
The concerns of Zaid's new clients, which include numerous current and former government officials, are not unfounded. Trump made clear during his campaign that he intended to pursue a strategy of retribution against critics, targeting specific members of Congress, the media, and even private sector figures. While Trump and his associates have since dismissed these statements as mere bluster, Zaid has advised his clients to remain cautious.
“There are a small number of people who I have told, ‘Look, you should take a vacation outside of the country around the time of inauguration, just to see what happens,’” he stated in an interview with PMG Magazine. “Just go on a routine vacation and see what plays out come Jan. 20, 21st, 22nd.”
Beyond the possibility of arrests, Zaid highlighted that the incoming administration has various means to create difficulties for its critics, such as denying security clearances or invoking obscure national security laws. Although this could lead to more billable hours for Zaid and his colleagues, he emphasized the necessity of being prepared for unexpected developments.
“For a lot of these cases, there aren’t a lot of steps that can be taken proactively,” he noted. “But we’re taking steps to prepare so that we don’t have to react at the time.”
**On the Severity of Threats:**
When asked about the gravity of these threats, Zaid remarked that while the future is uncertain, he takes Trump's words seriously. They promised retribution and retaliation, and he's cautious in interpreting their intentions. He suggested that if their threats materialize, it would be irresponsible not to prepare accordingly.
**Forms of Retaliation:**
Zaid believes that retribution will be targeted and methodical rather than a sweeping campaign like those seen in totalitarian regimes. He anticipates the potential for criminal penalties, emphasizing that the new administration has opportunities to exploit legal mechanisms in ways that breach established norms in the past.
**Examples of Potential Actions:**
He illustrates this with an example related to journalism, highlighting that reporting on classified information could lead to prosecution, even though historically, such actions have been avoided by the Department of Justice.
**Concerns for Civil Servants:**
For average civil servants who fall out of favor with the administration, Zaid cautioned that their access to classified information could be revoked based on vague criteria. Transfers to undesirable posts could also occur, with agencies having the legal authority to act without specific recourse available to affected employees.
**Legal Recourse and Advisement:**
Zaid admits that there is limited legal recourse in some cases, as the Supreme Court established that federal courts lack jurisdiction over security clearance decisions. He is advising clients on a case-by-case basis and is preparing for various scenarios.
**Potential Vulnerable Individuals:**
Individuals like John Brennan and Jim Clapper, as well as certain politicians, are likely to be particularly vulnerable to reprisals. However, Zaid believes that Congress members might be insulated due to the political ramifications of pursuing them.
He also cautioned against the repetition of politically motivated prosecutions, asserting that such actions would only further exacerbate the political divide.
**Support for Whistleblowers and Civil Servants:**
To assist career civil servants who may face retaliation but lack financial resources for legal counsel, Zaid has facilitated arrangements for free legal services. His organization, Whistleblower Aid, is part of a broader network of attorneys willing to assist those targeted unjustly.
**Future Watch:**
Zaid plans to closely monitor the early actions of the new administration to gauge its seriousness about pursuing contentious policies. He remarked that while there is currently only rhetoric, the organized nature of the incoming administration suggests that concrete actions may follow immediately, unlike previous transitions.
If no actions materialize, it could indicate a return to more standard political practices; however, Zaid acknowledges that clarity on such issues remains elusive until the administration takes office.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
The concerns of Zaid's new clients, which include numerous current and former government officials, are not unfounded. Trump made clear during his campaign that he intended to pursue a strategy of retribution against critics, targeting specific members of Congress, the media, and even private sector figures. While Trump and his associates have since dismissed these statements as mere bluster, Zaid has advised his clients to remain cautious.
“There are a small number of people who I have told, ‘Look, you should take a vacation outside of the country around the time of inauguration, just to see what happens,’” he stated in an interview with PMG Magazine. “Just go on a routine vacation and see what plays out come Jan. 20, 21st, 22nd.”
Beyond the possibility of arrests, Zaid highlighted that the incoming administration has various means to create difficulties for its critics, such as denying security clearances or invoking obscure national security laws. Although this could lead to more billable hours for Zaid and his colleagues, he emphasized the necessity of being prepared for unexpected developments.
“For a lot of these cases, there aren’t a lot of steps that can be taken proactively,” he noted. “But we’re taking steps to prepare so that we don’t have to react at the time.”
**On the Severity of Threats:**
When asked about the gravity of these threats, Zaid remarked that while the future is uncertain, he takes Trump's words seriously. They promised retribution and retaliation, and he's cautious in interpreting their intentions. He suggested that if their threats materialize, it would be irresponsible not to prepare accordingly.
**Forms of Retaliation:**
Zaid believes that retribution will be targeted and methodical rather than a sweeping campaign like those seen in totalitarian regimes. He anticipates the potential for criminal penalties, emphasizing that the new administration has opportunities to exploit legal mechanisms in ways that breach established norms in the past.
**Examples of Potential Actions:**
He illustrates this with an example related to journalism, highlighting that reporting on classified information could lead to prosecution, even though historically, such actions have been avoided by the Department of Justice.
**Concerns for Civil Servants:**
For average civil servants who fall out of favor with the administration, Zaid cautioned that their access to classified information could be revoked based on vague criteria. Transfers to undesirable posts could also occur, with agencies having the legal authority to act without specific recourse available to affected employees.
**Legal Recourse and Advisement:**
Zaid admits that there is limited legal recourse in some cases, as the Supreme Court established that federal courts lack jurisdiction over security clearance decisions. He is advising clients on a case-by-case basis and is preparing for various scenarios.
**Potential Vulnerable Individuals:**
Individuals like John Brennan and Jim Clapper, as well as certain politicians, are likely to be particularly vulnerable to reprisals. However, Zaid believes that Congress members might be insulated due to the political ramifications of pursuing them.
He also cautioned against the repetition of politically motivated prosecutions, asserting that such actions would only further exacerbate the political divide.
**Support for Whistleblowers and Civil Servants:**
To assist career civil servants who may face retaliation but lack financial resources for legal counsel, Zaid has facilitated arrangements for free legal services. His organization, Whistleblower Aid, is part of a broader network of attorneys willing to assist those targeted unjustly.
**Future Watch:**
Zaid plans to closely monitor the early actions of the new administration to gauge its seriousness about pursuing contentious policies. He remarked that while there is currently only rhetoric, the organized nature of the incoming administration suggests that concrete actions may follow immediately, unlike previous transitions.
If no actions materialize, it could indicate a return to more standard political practices; however, Zaid acknowledges that clarity on such issues remains elusive until the administration takes office.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
