politics
/
November 19, 2024
Will they be able to stand up to even the scariest of these candidates? I’m not optimistic.
President-elect Donald Trump attends the House Republican Conference at the Capitol on November 13, 2024.
(Alison Robert/Getty Images)
Maine Sen. Susan Collins says she is “shocked” by Donald Trump’s nomination of accused sex trafficker Matt Gaetz for attorney general, the nation’s top law enforcement official. Ta. At least a dozen Republican senators refused to say Whether they support Gates or not. Some have questioned President Trump’s brilliant selection of Pete Hegseth, a politically inexperienced Fox News host who is considered a white supremacist. as secretary of defense. The fact that Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Hegseth, and Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are all credibly accused of sexual abuse probably does not disqualify them. Their future boss, the next president, is a convicted rapist.
We don’t know how much damage former FOX host and reality TV star Sean Duffy can do to the Department of Transportation, but President Trump is trying to convince us of the dangerous DEI and wokeness that has benefited us. It says it will remove pilots from the Department of Transportation. The sky is a nightmare. Really.
No, the real problem is that all of these nominees are totally unqualified for the serious job — and if confirmed, Gaetz and Hegseth are the ones that Trump is deadly serious about. He is likely to become a foot soldier in two crusades: mass deportation and prosecution of his perceptions. Political enemy. (Kennedy will likely be busy repealing HHS vaccine guidelines and posing other dangers to public health.)
But for Trump, the lack of qualifications could actually be a selling point. They do not have the capacity or expertise to prevent them from being full-fledged Trump supporters in their sole role of carrying out Trump’s orders. Add anti-immigrant Stephen Miller as deputy secretary for policy, “border czar” Tom Homan, totally unqualified South Dakota senator (and puppy killer) Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security, and you have Hegseth. , Expulsion Strike Force. President Trump has acknowledged that he already plans to deploy the military to achieve his goals, regardless of the constitutionality of the move.
Meanwhile, the transition team is discussing compiling a list of generals and other military officials who have been disloyal to President Trump, with the possibility of filing treason charges. “I like the idea,” Montana Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer, a Jell-O tower, told Fox.
It’s as if Trump is trying to bait “serious” Republican senators into conflict, but no one knows if they’ll do it. Susan Collins says she’s “shocked” by Gaetz’s nomination, but maybe after a tough confirmation review he’ll say he “learned his lesson” like he did with Brett Kavanaugh. . And will he be subject to a harsh grilling? Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota promised an “aggressive” schedule of confirmation hearings, but gave President Trump a recess appointment, allowing his nominee to appear without a hearing. We haven’t taken the option off the table yet. This is a huge blow to the standing of the Senate and to the standing of our democracy.
Latest issue
There’s also the idea that Senate Republicans may just have to reject one of President Trump’s more damaging nominations – a former congressman testifying that he had sex with minors and was involved in drugs. As more witnesses come forward, Gaetz is at the top of the list – he incited the political party, but will then have to fall in line. After all these years, I don’t think anything should surprise me coming from President Trump’s Republican Party. However, responsible senators must take their responsibility for advice and consent seriously and evaluate the strengths or weaknesses of each candidate. It’s not enough to block one bad pick and let the rest pass.
A coalition of medical organizations began the fight to block RFK Jr.’s appointment by rallying more than 200 people to a rally on Monday. We should not think that this is a done deal. Recall the successes of Affordable Care Act advocates during President Trump’s first term. Every Trump appointment will require a comparable advocacy campaign.
we can’t retreat
We are now facing a second Trump presidency.
You have nothing to lose. We must use fear, sadness, and yes, anger to resist the dangerous policies that Donald Trump is unleashing on our country. We rededicate ourselves to our roles as journalists and writers of principle and conscience.
Today, too, we will brace ourselves for the upcoming battle. It requires fearlessness, informed minds, intelligent analysis, and humane resistance. We face the enactment of Project 2025, a far-right Supreme Court, political authoritarianism, rising inequality and record increases in homelessness, a looming climate crisis, and conflicts overseas. nation We unite as a community to uncover, advocate and nurture investigative journalism and to keep hope and potential alive. nationIn good times and bad alike, we work to develop alternative ideas and visions, deepen our mission of truth-telling and in-depth reporting, and strengthen the unity of a divided nation. It will continue.
Armed with 160 years of amazing, bold, independent journalism, our mission is the same today as it was when Abolitionist first founded. nationDefending the principles of democracy and freedom, serving as a guide through the darkest days of resistance, envisioning a brighter future, and striving for it.
The day was dark, and the troops lined up were tenacious, but it seemed like they were late. nation Editorial board member Toni Morrison writes: It is precisely during this period that artists begin their work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, write, and use language. That’s how civilization heals. ”
I urge you to stand together nation And please donate today.
from now on,
Katrina van den Heuvel
Editorial Director and Publisher; nation
