Former Obama Official Threatens Corporations Who Cooperated with Trump

Susan Rice warns companies that "it's not gonna end well" if they "take a knee to Trump".

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Susan Rice, a former official in the Obama and Biden administrations, threatened corporations and others who cooperated with the Trump administration during a podcast interview. Rice said Democrats would have an "accountability agenda" if they make gains in the midterm elections, and warned companies that they "better preserve their documents" and "better be ready for subpoenas" if they've "done something wrong".

Why it matters

Rice's comments highlight the growing partisan divide in the country and the potential for retribution against those seen as cooperating with the opposing political party. Her threats of an "accountability agenda" raise concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the erosion of democratic norms.

The details

Rice made the comments while a guest on the "Stay Tuned with Preet" podcast. She said that "if these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to, you know, play by the old rules, and, you know, say, 'Oh, never mind. We'll forgive you for all the people you fired, all the policies and principles you've violated, all, you know, the laws you've skirted.' I think they've got another thing coming." Rice also praised the protests against the president's immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  • Rice made the comments during a podcast interview on February 21, 2026.

The players

Susan Rice

A former official in the Obama and Biden administrations who served as National Security Advisor and UN Ambassador.

Preet Bharara

A former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York who hosted the "Stay Tuned with Preet" podcast where Rice made her comments.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States whose administration Rice threatened corporations for cooperating with.

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What they’re saying

“If these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to, you know, play by the old rules, and, you know, say, 'Oh, never mind. We'll forgive you for all the people you fired, all the policies and principles you've violated, all, you know, the laws you've skirted.' I think they've got another thing coming.”

— Susan Rice, Former Obama and Biden Administration Official (Stay Tuned with Preet)

“You know, companies already are starting to hear they better preserve their documents. They better be ready for subpoenas. If they've done something wrong, they'll be held accountable, and if they haven't broken the law, good for them.”

— Susan Rice, Former Obama and Biden Administration Official (Stay Tuned with Preet)

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Democrats will approach corporations and individuals seen as cooperating with the Trump administration if they gain control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.

The takeaway

Rice's comments reflect the deep partisan divisions in the country and the potential for political retribution against those perceived as aligning with the opposing party. This raises concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the abuse of power for political gain.