A number of prominent Republicans, including several former members of the first Trump administration, signed a letter, likening his actions to those of a “royal despot.” “For a president to personally and publicly direct the levers of the federal government against publicly named citizens for political reasons sets a new and perilous precedent in our republic,” the group wrote. “No matter one’s party or politics, every American should reject the notion that the awesome power of the presidency can be used to pursue individual vendettas.”