lightning rod

She was a lightning rod for criticism by Hollywood workers, particularly during last year’s walkouts.

The agency has long been a lightning rod for Israeli criticism, for example with allegations that the textbooks used in its schools promote hatred of Israel.

Prior to Trump’s rise to power, Schiff said his Republican colleagues in the House — which he first entered in 2001 — never would have predicted he would become the “incredible liberal lightning rod” he is today.

It also turned him into a lightning rod to the political right, with conservatives condemning him for what they viewed as unfair attacks on Trump.

A lightning rod of controversy since taking office four years ago on a platform of criminal justice reform, Gascón has since rolled back some of his boldest policies in the face of withering criticism.