Exclusive: Trump ‘secretary of retribution’ won't discuss his ‘target list’ at RNC

MILWAUKEE — The self-styled “secretary of retribution” for Donald Trump who’s circulating a 350-person “target list” of politicians, bureaucrats and journalists had nothing to say about his plans when approached by Raw Story reporters Wednesday at the Republican National Convention.

Raw Story attempted to ask Ivan Raiklin about his stated desire to conduct “live-streamed swatting raids” against individuals on his “target list.” Also of interest: his efforts to work with largely rural, conservative county sheriffs to deputize some 75,000 military veterans to arrest people on his list.

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But Raiklin, who has refused to answer Raw Story’s questions by phone and email for more than a month, would not talk substantively outside the Fiserv Forum, where the Republican National Convention is being conducted. Raiklin also objected to being approached without appointment.

“You’re like on the threshold, the cusp of conducting political violence, and I don’t like that. I want you to calm down.”

“I’m fine,” said the reporter, who had approached Raiklin in a public plaza. “Are you going to answer the question or not?”

Raiklin did not answer.

“Do you think that’s appropriate behavior?” Raiklin later said, adding that reporters were wrong to “completely deviate from all standard norms and principles of being a cordial individual.”

Last week, a Raw Story investigation detailed Raiklin’s background, including his service as a now-retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and current pursuit of anti-Trump Americans he considers government enemies.

Raiklin’s list raised alarms with members of Congress.

“This is a deadly serious report,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) told Raw Story. “A retired U.S. military officer has drawn up a ‘Deep State target list’ of public officials he considers traitors, along with our family members and staff. His hit list is a vigilante death warrant for hundreds of Americans and a clear and present danger to the survival of American democracy and freedom."

Raw Story’s report explained that Richard Mack, head of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Police Officers Association, had cut off initial discussions with Raiklin and said he disapproves of Raiklin’s rhetoric.

The Constitutional Sheriffs and Police Officers Association argues that sheriffs have the power to oppose edicts from the federal government that they believe to be unconstitutional. Mack said he didn’t know any sheriffs who are aligned with Raiklin’s plan.

“He’s never been able to give me a name” of a supportive sheriff, Mack said.Raw Story asked Raiklin on Wednesday: “Do you have any reaction to Richard Mack saying you don’t have a single sheriff, a single one, who is behind your plan?”

Raiklin reacted with his often-used tactic of not answering questions directly, recording the encounter, and responding with questions of his own.

Throughout the eight-minute exchange, Raiklin remained evasive.

For example, Raw Story asked Raiklin why, if he has evidence of wrongdoing by people on his “Deep State target list,” he doesn’t provide that information to law enforcement.

Raiklin responded by saying he wanted to keep the situation calm. He invited the reporter to sit and drink a bottle of water. He asked the reporter about his background. But never answered the reporter’s question.

Raiklin has periodically approached public officials such as Anthony Fauci and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, peppering them with questions and comments.

Raw Story first requested an interview with Raiklin in early June. Raiklin did not directly respond, instead posting the email request online — and asking for information about the reporter.

When the reporter followed up by email, Raiklin posted the inquiry on social media and wrote, “Hey Mark, use my preferred pronouns when addressing me: ‘Trump/Flynn 2024’” — a reference to retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a close ally who served as Trump’s first nation security adviser in 2017.

After a third inquiry by Raw Story via voicemail and email, Raiklin posted the audio message on social media site X — but he did not respond to Raw Story.

The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about Raiklin.

As Raw Story reporters departed Wednesday, Raiklin ended the exchange with a farewell — and parting shot.

“Have a nice day, Jordan,” Raiklin said. “It was a pleasure to meet and hopefully next time you’ll come in a more respectful tone.”

Raiklin then added: “We need to investigate you.”