By Democrats plan to punish anyone who is conservative when they come back into power. Earlier in the week, former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, a close advisor to Barack Obama who was considered for vice president under Joe Biden, warned corporations, universities, media organizations, and other institutions that cooperation with President Donald Trump will not be forgotten if Democrats return to power.
In a February 19 appearance on the Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, hosted by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Rice outlined what she described as a coming “accountability agenda” — one that would scrutinize entities she believes adjusted policies or practices in deference to the Trump administration.
“They are going to be held accountable,” Rice said of corporations and institutions that have aligned themselves with the current administration. “Companies are already starting to hear they better preserve their documents, they better be ready for subpoenas.”
Susan Rice offers a taste of what’s coming should the left retake power — promises Democrats will punish corporations and other institutions who have “taken a knee to Trump.”
“It’s not going to end well for them."
“If these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come… pic.twitter.com/Hr4Lk5oica
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) February 20, 2026
She continued with a direct threat: “If these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to play by the old rules… they’ve got another thing coming. There will be an accountability agenda. This is not going to be an instance of forgive and forget.”
Rice argued that the “damage” caused by what she characterized as institutional alignment with Trump has been “too severe to the American people and our national interests” to simply move past. While she indicated that lawful and ethical behavior would be acknowledged, she added that prior conduct would still be “noted and remembered.”
The clip spread rapidly among right-leaning accounts, prompting accusations that Rice’s language suggested political retribution or the weaponization of government authority. Some commentators described the rhetoric as authoritarian in tone. Others, however, defended Rice’s position as a call for oversight, arguing that corporate actors who facilitated controversial policies should expect scrutiny.
Rice, who previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and later in senior roles during the Obama and Biden administrations, remains an influential voice within Democratic policy circles. Her comments come as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with Democrats seeking to reclaim congressional majorities and shape the contours of future executive power.
Critics contend that her statements mark a departure from traditional post-election reconciliation norms and signal the possibility of formal investigations into corporate conduct during the Trump presidency. Supporters counter that she is articulating a framework of accountability — not vengeance — focused on institutions they believe contributed to policies detrimental to democratic governance or national interests.
As of Thursday afternoon, neither the Democratic National Committee nor Rice’s office had issued additional comment clarifying the scope or mechanics of the proposed “accountability agenda.”
It isn’t the first time a prominent Democrat appeared to go after conservatives if they gain back power. During the 2024 election, Biden went after Elon Musk, a top supporter of Donald Trump.
In 2023, the Wall Street Journal reported that IRS agents showed up at the home of a congressional witness.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan sent a letter Monday to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen seeking an explanation for why journalist Matt Taibbi received an unannounced home visit from an IRS agent. We’ve seen the letter, and both the circumstances and timing of the IRS focus on this journalist raise serious questions.
Mr. Taibbi has provoked the ire of Democrats and other journalists for his role in researching Twitter records and then releasing internal communications from the social-media giant that expose its censorship and its contacts with government officials. This effort has already inspired government bullying, with Chair Lina Khan’s Federal Trade Commission targeting new Twitter owner Elon Musk and demanding the company “identify all journalists” granted access to the Twitter files.
Now Mr. Taibbi has told Mr. Jordan’s committee that an IRS agent showed up at his personal residence in New Jersey on March 9. That happens to be the same day Mr. Taibbi testified before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government about what he learned about Twitter. The taxman left a note instructing Mr. Taibbi to call the IRS four days later. Mr. Taibbi was told in a call with the agent that both his 2018 and 2021 tax returns had been rejected owing to concerns over identity theft.”
Throughout Biden’s term, pro-life activists routinely had SWAT Teams and FBI agents show up at their homes.
NEW: FBI agents Ashley Roberts and Kathleen Brown showed up at the childhood home of pro-life activist Elise Ketch. The agents asked to speak with Ketch, who is a member of @PAAUNOW.
Here's the Ring security camera footage, first obtained by @Dailysignal: pic.twitter.com/QoY2HL9ytA
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) May 17, 2023
Under the direction of Barack Obama, the FBI designated pro-lifers as more dangerous than Islamic radicals, according to an FBI whistleblower.
[Read More: Investigative Journalist Says 2020 Will Be Seen As National Security Problem]
