There is certainly a broad reaction to the election of Donald Trump since November 5th. There is a radiating joy that continues unabated but in a subliminal manner by his supporters and an unhinged, irrational, self-harming response from those who refuse to accept the reality they lost, and the others will be in charge for the next four years. Let us focus on two aspects of the aftermath – the Democrats’ maneuvers and the Trump cabinet choices.
Elected leaders in the premier left of center states have had a fairly universal response. They are going to fight the Trump Administration by making new policies in their own legislature and challenging the new Administration in the courts. This on its face is a civil and legal manner very much in accordance with our federalized system of government. The question is whether that is a wise path.
The victory of the Republicans was deep and wide. Though not every U.S. Senate candidate prevailed in states Trump won, the vote for Trump in each of these deep red states swung dramatically toward the Republicans. Instead of recognizing the depth and breadth of that movement, these elected leaders have decided to double down on the policies that are causing their residents to flee their states for perceived saner environments.
Two leaders of this movement have been Governor Newsom in California and Governor Pritzker in Illinois. Some pundits say they are making these moves to put themselves in the driver’s seat for the 2028 election. But whatever their rationale, they are moving to reinforce the policies that have either done nothing to enhance the lives of their residents or have driven them out to other states.
Why in God’s name would Pritzker tell the world you have to go through him to get to any of his residents. He is referring particularly to people who have entered our country illegally and are protected by a legal falsehood – sanctuary cities and states. People like Pritzker make a myriad of arguments supporting illegal immigrants and call them by many different deflecting names, but the principal fact remains. People came into our country in a manner not approved by our national government and should not be here. If they are working, they are taking jobs away from people here legally and/or driving down the wages of those people by working at below legal wage rates.
Newsom has stated he wants to focus on policies like protections for patients seeking abortions and LGBTQ rights and defend the state in disagreements over the state’s voter-ID and climate laws. Not quite sure how he can make abortion more legal in California in our new federalized system. Anyone from anywhere on the planet can walk into a clinic and request an abortion at any time even though it is supposed to be restricted after the period of recognition of viability. He obviously wants to maintain having former males playing in females sports and providing transitional procedures to minors without parental approval. Those are two policies that will never float big with the public. Anyone who is averse to voter ID laws just wants to cheat. Someone should tell Newsom we are the only significant democracy in the world that doesn’t require voter ID.
There is the big picture. What happened to accepting the results of the election and not declaring a civil war even before the new president takes office. Very unbecoming of these elected leaders.
Then there are the Trump cabinet appointments. Every once in a while you get one right. When Trump announced his pick for AG I told everyone he chose the wrong Floridian. Now he has it right. It is interesting how some people thought Trump would be installing the same kind of people who fought what he wanted to accomplish eight years ago. He is more focused this time. Let us look at two of his nominees.
I am delighted to see Democrats are turning their backs on RFK Jr. He is Bobby Kennedy’s kid and namesake. I never thought I would see this day. I find it rich that some on the Left call him unqualified. The same person Obama wanted to appoint to head the EPA sixteen years ago. Maybe they think he has Alzheimer’s. Let me also refer them to Xavier Becerra, the current Secretary of Health and Human Services. His biggest attribute was his Spanish surname. At least RFK Jr. has been actively involved in health issues previously. I don’t agree with some of his positions on vaccinations as someone who has all his shots and believes overall, they provide a fabulous benefit to mankind. When Jay Bhattacharya, co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, enthusiastically endorsed RFK Jr., that is good enough for me. Trump is on the right path here.
Then there is Pete Hegseth, the nominee to run the Dept. of Defense. Recently, an intelligent colleague of his swooned over Hegseth. The economist who was on Varney and Company stated Hegseth was the most intelligent and directed person he knows. He believes Hegseth can accomplish whatever he wants which reflects his military and educational background.
General Jack Keane, retired four-star general, on Journal Editorial Report, questioned the appointment. He discounted the DEI distraction at the Pentagon and said the real problem is lack of ammunition and other war materials. He stated Hegseth had no experience dealing with that and we needed a more experienced hand. First, the DEI garbage is a major problem; and second, who does Keane thinks created the mess with munitions? As I wrote in a previous column, how come we are spending $800 billion a year and have a shortage of ships, planes and bullets? Those guys Trump put in last time are part of the problem. The operation needs a good rattling. Everyone has questioned overpriced toilet seats from the Pentagon for decades and we should keep the same people in charge?
You know you are on the correct path when Max Boot writes a negative opinion piece on Hegseth in WAPO. Boot quoted West Point grad Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) about Trump’s desire to purge some military leaders: “This is a dangerous and deeply misguided scheme. America’s military leaders are selected for their skill and merit, not political fealty.” How soon Reed forgets how Obama purged officers until he got people who would go along with his DEI schemes. Or maybe he might have heard of George Patton and Douglas MacArthur, two generals purged because of politics. What Trump wants to do is get back to having no politics in the military.
No one said the Democrats were going to lie down after they lost, but at least they could make sense about what they want to do.
