witch-hunt

(figurative) An attempt to find and punish or harass a group of people perceived as a threat, usually on ideological or political grounds.

(historical) A search for people believed to be using sorcery or harmful magic, typically in order to persecute or punish them.

(figurative) A public or political campaign or investigation which smears a person or group.

(informal, figurative) To aggressively pursue, investigate, or persecute individuals or groups based on unsubstantiated accusations, often driven by fear, ideology, political expediency, moral panic, etc.