By Charles Switzer
2:16am PDT, Mar 16, 2025
Trump Draws Saddam Hussein Comparisons from Former FBI Official
Former FBI counterterrorism expert
Christopher O'Leary likened President
Donald Trump's rhetoric and governing tactics to those of
Saddam Hussein in an MSNBC interview on Friday, March 14.
O'Leary recalled a 1979 event where Hussein publicly listed and removed perceived enemies, drawing a parallel to Trump's continued targeting of political opponents. "When you start using intimidation and coercion to go after any group of people, sooner or later, you're going to get down to a group that's going to be compliant," O'Leary warned.
His comments came just before Trump delivered a speech at the Department of Justice that many critics described as an open declaration of political retribution.
Here are four key takeaways from O'Leary's interview.
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Trump Calls for Crackdown on Political and Media Adversaries
During his Justice Department address, Donald Trump reiterated his belief that his election victory gave him a "mandate" to overhaul the government and pursue investigations against his opponents.
He specifically called out former special counsel
Jack Smith, whom he described as "deranged," and urged prosecutors to take action against media organizations like CNN and MSNBC.
Trump alleged that mainstream media outlets act as "political arms of the Democrat Party" and insisted that their reporting is "illegal." His remarks align with statements from FBI Director
Kash Patel, who previously vowed to prosecute journalists who he claims lied about conservatives.
Justice Department Overhaul and January 6 Pardons
One of Donald Trump's first actions upon returning to office was shutting down the January 6 investigation and firing dozens of prosecutors involved in cases against the rioters. He also
pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in connection to the Capitol attack, including those caught on camera assaulting law enforcement officers.
During his speech, Trump referred to the rioters as "hostages" and painted their prosecution as evidence of government corruption.
The move has drawn strong condemnation from legal experts and former Justice Department officials, who argue that it undermines the rule of law and emboldens political extremism.
Criticism of Trump's 'Weaponization' Narrative
Throughout his address, Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that the DOJ and U.S. intelligence agencies had been "weaponized" against him. He accused federal investigators of attempting to "thwart the will of the American people" and called for a far-reaching probe into what he described as government corruption.
However, critics note that his victory in the 2024 election came with the support of only about 33 percent of eligible voters, challenging his claim of an overwhelming "mandate."
Legal scholars have also pushed back against Trump's assertions, arguing that his actions pose a greater threat to democratic institutions than the supposed "deep state" conspiracies he regularly cites.
Concerns Over Trump's Expanding Power
As President Donald Trump consolidates control over federal agencies, concerns are growing over how far he will go in using the Justice Department to pursue political retribution.
His ongoing feud with the media, the mass firing of prosecutors and his push for investigations into journalists and political rivals all mirror authoritarian strategies seen in history, according to many.
