In the current landscape of American politics Ivan Raiklin few figures are as polarizing or as strategically persistent as Ivan Raiklin. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the more intense corners of political social media or following the long, winding aftermath of the 2020 election, the name likely rings a bell. Often referred to by his self-appointed moniker, the “Secretary of Retribution,” Raiklin has carved out a unique niche that sits at the intersection of military intelligence, constitutional law, and high-octane political activism.
To understand Ivan Raiklin, you have to look beyond the viral clips and the “Pence Card” headlines. Ivan Raiklin isn’t just a firebrand with a megaphone; he is a man with a very specific, very detailed background that informs every move he makes. As an expert observer of political operatives, I can tell you that Raiklin represents a new breed of activist—one who uses his deep understanding of government bureaucracy and military strategy to challenge the very institutions he once served.
In this article, we’re going to peel back the layers of Ivan Raiklin’s career, his controversial legal theories, and the role he continues to play in the 2026 political cycle. Whether you view him as a constitutional crusader or a professional provocateur, there is no denying that his influence on a specific segment of the American electorate is profound. Let’s break down the man, the myth, and the “retribution” strategy.
From Green Beret to Political Operative: The Raiklin Resume
Before he was a fixture in Washington’s most contentious hearing rooms, Ivan Raiklin built a career in the shadow world of military intelligence. A former Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and a Green Beret, Raiklin’s background is steeped in the “Special Forces” mentality: unconventional warfare, psychological operations, and a relentless focus on the mission. This isn’t just fluff for a bio; it’s the DNA of his political style. When Raiklin approaches a political problem, he does so with the tactical precision of a field officer, looking for “force multipliers” and institutional weak points.
Beyond his time in uniform, Raiklin also spent years as an employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). This gave him an insider’s view of the “Deep State”—a term he frequently uses today to describe the career bureaucrats he believes are undermining the country. Ivan Raiklin transition from an intelligence professional to a public-facing activist didn’t happen overnight, but it was catalyzed by a failed 2018 run for the U.S. Senate in Virginia. Although he was disqualified for failing to gather enough signatures, the experience seemed to solidify his resolve to fight the system from the outside.
As we stand in 2026, Raiklin’s military and intelligence background serves as his “street cred” within the MAGA movement. His supporters see him as a man who knows where the bodies are buried, so to speak, because he helped build the graveyard. This expert-level knowledge of how the government operates allows him to speak with an authority that many other activists lack, making his claims of systemic corruption resonate more deeply with those who already harbor distrust of the federal government.
The “Pence Card” and the Progenitor of Election Denial
If there is one thing Ivan Raiklin will be remembered for in the history books, it’s the “Pence Card.” In late 2020, as the country hurtled toward the January 6th certification, Raiklin began promoting a legal theory that Vice President Mike Pence had the unilateral authority to reject electors from disputed states. He tweeted this plan directly to President Donald Trump, who subsequently retweeted it, thrusting Raiklin from the fringes of the internet into the center of the most significant constitutional crisis in modern American history.
The “Pence Card” was, according to mainstream constitutional scholars, a legal “canard”—a theory with no basis in actual law. However, in the high-pressure environment of the post-election period, it became a rallying cry. Raiklin argued that the Vice President’s role was not merely ceremonial, but that of a final arbiter of election integrity. While Mike Pence ultimately rejected this theory, the “Pence Card” served as a foundational document for what would later become the “Eastman Memos,” which outlined the broader strategy to overturn the 2020 results.
Raiklin’s role in this movement wasn’t just digital. He was a constant presence at the Willard Hotel “command center” in the days leading up to January 6th, rubbing elbows with figures like Michael Flynn and Rudy Giuliani. His expert use of social media to disseminate complex (if legally dubious) theories allowed these ideas to reach millions before the mainstream media even knew what was happening. Even in 2026, he remains one of the most vocal proponents of the “stolen election” narrative, viewing it not as a past event, but as an ongoing battle for the soul of the Republic.
The “Secretary of Retribution” and the 350 Target List
In recent years, Raiklin has pivoted from defending the past to planning for the future. He has adopted the title “Secretary of Retribution,” a role he claims he will fulfill in a potential second Trump administration. This isn’t just a catchy nickname; it’s a framework for what he calls “moral, legal, and ethical consequences” for those he believes have committed treason against the United States. His rhetoric has shifted from election analysis to a focused, some would say aggressive, plan for institutional payback.
At the heart of this strategy is Raiklin’s “Deep State Target List,” which reportedly contains the names of 350 individuals, including high-ranking politicians, intelligence officers, and journalists. Raiklin’s plan involves using “constitutional sheriffs”—local law enforcement officers who believe their authority supersedes federal power—to conduct raids and arrests of these targets. He has even suggested that these raids should be live-streamed to ensure maximum transparency and, presumably, maximum impact on the public consciousness.
This “Retribution” strategy has caused significant alarm among civil rights groups and political opponents. In mid-2024, Jamie Raskin and other lawmakers sounded the alarm on Raiklin’s rhetoric, characterizing it as a blueprint for political violence. However, Raiklin remains undeterred. In 2026, he continues to appear at events like the “Rod of Iron Freedom Festival,” where he urges followers to “confront” their representatives. To his fans, he is the only one brave enough to name names; to his critics, he is a man playing a dangerous game with the foundations of American democracy.
2026 Confrontations: The Jack Smith Hearing and Beyond
If you want to see Ivan Raiklin in his element, look no further than the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Just yesterday, on January 22, 2026, Raiklin was at the center of a chaotic scene during a House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring former Special Counsel Jack Smith. In a moment that immediately went viral, Raiklin engaged in a heated, face-to-face altercation with Michael Fanone, the former D.C. police officer who became a public face of the January 6th defense.
The confrontation was raw and intensely personal. Fanone, visibly shaken, accused Raiklin of threatening his family and children, calling him a “traitor” to the country. Raiklin, true to his “Special Forces” training, remained remarkably calm—a tactic he often uses to make his opponents appear “unhinged” or “spasmodic” by comparison. This psychological maneuvering is a hallmark of the Raiklin brand; he doesn’t just argue, he attempts to dominate the emotional space of the room.
This latest incident highlights Raiklin’s ongoing strategy in 2026: to remain a constant, disruptive presence in the spaces where the government attempts to conduct business. He isn’t satisfied with posting videos from a studio; he wants to be where the action is, forcing his way into the narrative through sheer proximity and persistence. Whether he is holding up signs mocking Capitol Police or sparring with high-profile witnesses, Raiklin ensures that the “Secretary of Retribution” is never far from the headlines.
