By Manisha Sahu, America News World September 27, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday publicly demanded that Microsoft terminate the employment of Lisa Monaco, its global affairs president, in a move that underscores his continued campaign against individuals he views as political adversaries. The remarks came only a day after former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
Monaco, a longtime government official who served under two Democratic presidents, joined Microsoft in July to oversee the company’s engagement with governments worldwide. According to her LinkedIn profile, she was tasked with leading the tech giant’s global policy and regulatory strategy at a time when Microsoft maintains significant contracts with the U.S. government.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump escalated his rhetoric against Monaco, labeling her “a menace to U.S. national security.” He argued that her past roles in the Obama and Biden administrations raised concerns about her access to sensitive information given Microsoft’s extensive government partnerships. “It is my opinion that Microsoft should immediately terminate the employment of Lisa Monaco,” Trump wrote.
A Longtime Government Insider
Monaco has held influential positions in Washington for more than two decades. She served as a national security aide during President Barack Obama’s administration and later as deputy attorney general under President Joe Biden. During her tenure at the Department of Justice, she coordinated the federal response to the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters — a role that has made her a persistent target of criticism from Trump and his allies.
Her security clearances were formally revoked in February 2025, and according to Trump, she has now been banned from all federal properties due to what he described as “Monaco’s many wrongful acts.” Neither Monaco nor Microsoft has publicly responded to the president’s latest comments, though a spokesperson for the company declined to issue a statement when asked.
Escalation After Comey Indictment
The demand to remove Monaco follows Thursday’s indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. Comey led the bureau when it opened its investigation into possible links between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russian officials. That probe fueled years of political tensions and culminated in repeated attacks on the FBI by Trump and his supporters.
On Friday, Trump told reporters he expects more indictments of individuals he considers political enemies. “I think there will be others,” he said, though he declined to provide specific names. The comment reinforces concerns that Trump’s second administration is increasingly targeting former officials, prosecutors, and political rivals.
Using Presidential Powers Against Critics
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has shown little hesitation in wielding the powers of his office to retaliate against perceived opponents. He has dismissed prosecutors who participated in past investigations against him, pressured universities by tying federal funding to ideological reforms, and encouraged criminal charges against critics, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.
Trump has also extended his influence into the private sector. His administration previously pressured Intel’s chief executive to resign before later reversing course and agreeing to a partial government stake in the company. In the entertainment industry, Disney’s ABC suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night program for several days after Trump criticized his jokes about the president.
The president’s willingness to publicly pressure Microsoft reflects a new level of intervention in corporate America. Technology companies, already navigating sensitive relationships with Washington, are finding themselves under intense scrutiny from the administration.
Tense Relationship With Big Tech
Trump and Republican leaders have long accused Silicon Valley firms of bias against conservatives, a claim that gained momentum during his first term. However, tech companies have sought to strengthen ties with the Trump administration since his return to office.
Earlier this year, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined other top technology leaders for a private White House dinner hosted by the president. The event was widely viewed as an effort by the industry to reset relations with the administration, which has significant influence over regulations, government contracts, and national security partnerships.
Despite these overtures, Trump’s comments about Monaco highlight the risks companies face when employing former officials aligned with Democratic administrations. Microsoft’s decision to hire Monaco was initially welcomed as a sign of its commitment to navigating global political complexities. Now, however, her position has become a flashpoint in the president’s escalating campaign against his opponents.
The situation places Microsoft in a difficult position: balancing its need for experienced policy leaders with the political realities of operating under a president eager to settle old scores. With billions of dollars in government contracts at stake, the company must weigh the potential fallout of defying Trump’s demands against the reputational consequences of yielding to them.
For Monaco, the pressure is the latest chapter in a career that has frequently intersected with the nation’s most contentious political battles. Whether she remains at Microsoft or becomes the next casualty of Trump’s retributive agenda could signal how far corporate America is willing to go in resisting or accommodating the White House’s interventions.
As Trump himself hinted, more names may soon be added to his list of targets. For now, the spotlight remains on Lisa Monaco — and on Microsoft’s next move.