Donald Trump was gleeful on Thursday night as he reacted to the federal indictment of James Comey, the former FBI director who for years has been an object of the president’s scorn.

“JUSTICE IN AMERICA!” the US president declared on social media, celebrating the charges of obstruction and making false statements levelled against one of his top political foes.

The criminal prosecution of Comey, which Trump was so desperate to secure that he abruptly replaced the prosecutors on the case just a few days ago, marks a stunning escalation in the president’s campaign of judicial retribution that he placed at the heart of his second presidential term.

It highlights Trump’s over-brimming confidence as he seeks to impose his Maga right-wing agenda with a mixture of fierce determination, disdain for conventional restraints and near-endless showmanship.

He’s going full-bore and he’s trying to test the boundaries of what he can do — Doug Heye, a senior Republican strategist

The US Department of Justice’s move against Comey – which came at the same time as the announcement of a slew of new US tariffs on imports of products ranging from drugs to trucks – came a few days after Trump told pregnant women not to take a common painkiller because of its unproven links with autism. Last Sunday, he delivered a eulogy blasting his enemies at the Arizona memorial service for Charlie Kirk, the slain conservative activist. “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them,” Trump said with a smile.

Framed portraits of US president Donald Trump flank an image of former US president Joe Biden's signature along the presidential walk of fame at the White House. Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Even in the face of relatively lacklustre approval ratings and a vulnerable economy, and with midterm elections little more than