I used to keep my panties in qjite the wad over the left's lawfare against Trump and the stolen 2020 election, but this is so much fun! And none of this would be possible if not for the Democrats TDS!
Well put. Not long ago, talk of impeachment would scare me. We’ve come so far that I actually laughed yesterday when they introduced articles of impeachment.
A well stated summary, perhaps from now on when many of my acquaintances, friends (including unfortunately some libertarians who are never Trumpers) and family ask me why I support Trump I will just forward them this post . I might add a few additional caveats , but this is the opportunity of our lifetime to a really reduce the sizes svope and power of government. And his allies are capable individuals rather than the uniquely unqualified types who surrounded Biden. The SHOCK AND AWE tactics have so fsr completely befuddled his opponents, both Dems and the MSM. 👏👏👏👏👏
Chelsea Clinton got $84MM. Why am I paying taxes? I had a professor from Chicago Booth post on a Linked In that "state capture" is worse than "regulatory capture". The NYT published an article about it designed to be a hit piece on Musk.
$DOGE is uncovering the corruption. USAID actively participated in the impeachment of Trump and it was a soft coup led by Adam Schiff in Congress.
I see a big problem on our horizon: Future presidents. Trump has revealed the astonishing power of the presidency. So far, he’s proven to be worthy of that power. Will all future presidents be worthy? Will some future president wield that power for nefarious means?
The constitution structured our government on the assumption that congress would jealously guard their own power, thereby providing a restraint on the presidency. However, congress has slowly ceded its power to the executive branch over the last several decades, because a cabal headed by a leadership figure is more powerful than competing branches of government.
Also, the executive order seems to be replacing legislation, further concentrating power in the executive branch.
Trump seems to be the first president to understand this power. Thankfully he is using it for the betterment of Americans. Unfortunately, future presidents will study Trump’s techniques in order to use Executive power for their own agenda.
We’re not in any immediate danger of misuse of power by a president, simply because the Biden administration is seared into voter’s memories. Unfortunately, our collective political memory can be breathtakingly short.
The way to prevent this problem to build appropriate guardrails. This would require a parallel effort by Trump and congress to build them now while they have momentum. Jeffrey Carter was quoted in today’s Instapundit saying “Wouldn’t it be funny if [Trump’s] last act in office was an Executive Order that limited Presidential power to the original meaning in the Constitution?” While this is an interesting idea, I don’t think it will work because Executive Orders can be overridden by Executive Orders.
Hopefully, the guardrails will simply be a return to the Constitution, as Jeffery Carter suggested. Unfortunately, I don’t see any way to implement this. If we can’t return to the Constitution, then I don’t see how such guardrails could be implemented.
Hopefully some politicians who are smarter and more creative than me will address this issue and find a solution.
What I would like to see is a complete reveal of the deep state shenanigans and funding. That evidence will be justification for establishing a nationwide baseline for election integrity that impacts the midterms. The combination of both defunding and publicizing lefty election interference should result in Republican gains in both the house and senate, to include removal of RINO obstructionists.
Following the midterm the Trump administration should make every effort to pass legislation locking in transparency and returning the federal government to its constitutional roots.
Yes absolutely; however, many, if not most, of Trump's EOs are headed for the courts, where potentially important precedents will be made on the limits of executive power. Much of the remaining Trump administration is likely to see the DoJ in courts defending the policies being challenged.
As we have seen, though, with Biden's ignoring the SCOTUS ruling on his ability to forgive student loans. The Biden policy was never really challenged, for whatever reason. I suspect there may well be one or more court rulings that Trump ignores, as outside the court's Article 3 powers, and infringing on the executives Article 2 powers. There is a Constitutional remedy for this, I believe. Perhaps Professor Reynolds would be so kind as to cover it in one of his essays/articles?
The goal for many of the most critical EO's Trump has made must be enshrined in laws, passed by Congress and signed by the executive. Hopefully, the GOP will have the courage and discipline to do this (I am skeptical).
I agree with you, Glenn. As you and other commenters have noted, none of this would be possible without the Dems/‘progressives’/socialists/Left’s abuse of our national security apparatus and judicial system in their response to Trump since 2015.
Now everyone not blinded by their hatred for Trump can see what Musk and DOGE are uncovering.
Here in Austin (which Iowahawk once referred to as the ‘Lone Star Moonbat Asylum’), there was an anti-Trump protest today at the Texas Capitol with the usual suspects, as well as a sign I have seen at many Austin protests: ‘People over Profits.’
Most of the time I find that slogan to be simplistic and stupid. Today I also found it ironic.
I have always had libertarian tendencies. I could never go full Libertarian because their foreign policy perspective isn’t consistent with American interests. I do believe the first 9 amendments to the constitution end at the water’s edge. But smaller less intrusive government at home should be the goal. That’s why I am a Republican because they are a little closer to my vision and the vision, as I see it, of the founders.
Democrats kept telling everyone Trump was Hitler & republicans were nazis. The electorate looked over the claims, thought about it, and decided that it was fairly obvious that nazis were less dangerous than democrats.
the civil asset forfeiture and criminal prosecutions against the usaid recipients need to start post haste. balancing current year budget shouldn't the goal. ending the federal debt should be. and it should all be paid by the leftists who created it.
Also on the libertarian side of conservatism, I was actually a member of the Libertarian party in NYC. In 1980, I went to the watch party of the Libertarian party in NYC. Small place and smaller number of "watchers". Casual conversation convinced me they all were passionate about their position against things but the things were not related to/ or the opposite of the things anyone else in the room was against.
The Deep Stench gave us Trump 2.0, and while the last four years were painful to experience, the new Trump administration is a joy to behold, and his cabinet will be rightly inspired to follow his lead impressively and carry the torch, making America great again, or more perfect, you know.
I'm struck by how relatively tame the general response to the initial revelations of incopetency and outright corruption have been. Even one of the multi-million dollar awards from USAID to a news organization, or an NGO that clearly isn't doing what it says its mission is should provoke outrage. Across the board outrage, not just in the opposition party. Some of that comes through in comment threads like this one, but not at the level that seems right to me. Bill Kristol and Chelsea Clinton in these examples should be stripped of all social, cultural, political, or any other level of influence - completely. The calls for that should be comprehensive and even aggressively ruthless. That is not to be taken in any sense in the realm of the physical, but in the accurate realm of public discourse.
It is incredibly disconcerting to see that outrage actually manifesting in opposition to these cuts. It's understandable on the one hand since they're being kicked off the gravy train. There should be a counterpoint that is equally, if not more, publicly manifest.
The academic and philosophical understanding about the corruptibility of money and power is being demonstrated in reality. This visibility and revelation warrants something more in reality, not just columns and editorials.
The analogy of Trump & Gandalf is very apt: both were thrown down by their adversary only to return to complete their mission against the enemy. Other analogies may be Obi-Wan Kenobe, or perhaps the Arthurian legends. Whatever, the important thing is that it appears Trump may well be one of those historic & transformative figures by being the right man in the right place at the right time.
After all, luck (or as Mr. Spock was want to say: random probability has operated in our favor) is always an important element for greatness.
I used to keep my panties in qjite the wad over the left's lawfare against Trump and the stolen 2020 election, but this is so much fun! And none of this would be possible if not for the Democrats TDS!
Well put. Not long ago, talk of impeachment would scare me. We’ve come so far that I actually laughed yesterday when they introduced articles of impeachment.
A well stated summary, perhaps from now on when many of my acquaintances, friends (including unfortunately some libertarians who are never Trumpers) and family ask me why I support Trump I will just forward them this post . I might add a few additional caveats , but this is the opportunity of our lifetime to a really reduce the sizes svope and power of government. And his allies are capable individuals rather than the uniquely unqualified types who surrounded Biden. The SHOCK AND AWE tactics have so fsr completely befuddled his opponents, both Dems and the MSM. 👏👏👏👏👏
Trump’s best political allies are everyone left of Joe Manchin. They made him possible. In fact, they made him inevitable.
Chelsea Clinton got $84MM. Why am I paying taxes? I had a professor from Chicago Booth post on a Linked In that "state capture" is worse than "regulatory capture". The NYT published an article about it designed to be a hit piece on Musk.
$DOGE is uncovering the corruption. USAID actively participated in the impeachment of Trump and it was a soft coup led by Adam Schiff in Congress.
I see a big problem on our horizon: Future presidents. Trump has revealed the astonishing power of the presidency. So far, he’s proven to be worthy of that power. Will all future presidents be worthy? Will some future president wield that power for nefarious means?
The constitution structured our government on the assumption that congress would jealously guard their own power, thereby providing a restraint on the presidency. However, congress has slowly ceded its power to the executive branch over the last several decades, because a cabal headed by a leadership figure is more powerful than competing branches of government.
Also, the executive order seems to be replacing legislation, further concentrating power in the executive branch.
Trump seems to be the first president to understand this power. Thankfully he is using it for the betterment of Americans. Unfortunately, future presidents will study Trump’s techniques in order to use Executive power for their own agenda.
We’re not in any immediate danger of misuse of power by a president, simply because the Biden administration is seared into voter’s memories. Unfortunately, our collective political memory can be breathtakingly short.
The way to prevent this problem to build appropriate guardrails. This would require a parallel effort by Trump and congress to build them now while they have momentum. Jeffrey Carter was quoted in today’s Instapundit saying “Wouldn’t it be funny if [Trump’s] last act in office was an Executive Order that limited Presidential power to the original meaning in the Constitution?” While this is an interesting idea, I don’t think it will work because Executive Orders can be overridden by Executive Orders.
Hopefully, the guardrails will simply be a return to the Constitution, as Jeffery Carter suggested. Unfortunately, I don’t see any way to implement this. If we can’t return to the Constitution, then I don’t see how such guardrails could be implemented.
Hopefully some politicians who are smarter and more creative than me will address this issue and find a solution.
I share your concern.
What I would like to see is a complete reveal of the deep state shenanigans and funding. That evidence will be justification for establishing a nationwide baseline for election integrity that impacts the midterms. The combination of both defunding and publicizing lefty election interference should result in Republican gains in both the house and senate, to include removal of RINO obstructionists.
Following the midterm the Trump administration should make every effort to pass legislation locking in transparency and returning the federal government to its constitutional roots.
Great ideas! Your reply and @yooperphil reply are what I meant by “smarter and more creative than me”.
Yes absolutely; however, many, if not most, of Trump's EOs are headed for the courts, where potentially important precedents will be made on the limits of executive power. Much of the remaining Trump administration is likely to see the DoJ in courts defending the policies being challenged.
As we have seen, though, with Biden's ignoring the SCOTUS ruling on his ability to forgive student loans. The Biden policy was never really challenged, for whatever reason. I suspect there may well be one or more court rulings that Trump ignores, as outside the court's Article 3 powers, and infringing on the executives Article 2 powers. There is a Constitutional remedy for this, I believe. Perhaps Professor Reynolds would be so kind as to cover it in one of his essays/articles?
The goal for many of the most critical EO's Trump has made must be enshrined in laws, passed by Congress and signed by the executive. Hopefully, the GOP will have the courage and discipline to do this (I am skeptical).
Thank you! Your reply convinced me that this situation isn’t as scary as I had originally believed.
I, too, would like to hear the Professor’s thoughts on this.
Well presented. As a libertarian-conservative Republican, I heartily agree.
I agree with you, Glenn. As you and other commenters have noted, none of this would be possible without the Dems/‘progressives’/socialists/Left’s abuse of our national security apparatus and judicial system in their response to Trump since 2015.
Now everyone not blinded by their hatred for Trump can see what Musk and DOGE are uncovering.
Here in Austin (which Iowahawk once referred to as the ‘Lone Star Moonbat Asylum’), there was an anti-Trump protest today at the Texas Capitol with the usual suspects, as well as a sign I have seen at many Austin protests: ‘People over Profits.’
Most of the time I find that slogan to be simplistic and stupid. Today I also found it ironic.
I have always had libertarian tendencies. I could never go full Libertarian because their foreign policy perspective isn’t consistent with American interests. I do believe the first 9 amendments to the constitution end at the water’s edge. But smaller less intrusive government at home should be the goal. That’s why I am a Republican because they are a little closer to my vision and the vision, as I see it, of the founders.
Democrats kept telling everyone Trump was Hitler & republicans were nazis. The electorate looked over the claims, thought about it, and decided that it was fairly obvious that nazis were less dangerous than democrats.
the civil asset forfeiture and criminal prosecutions against the usaid recipients need to start post haste. balancing current year budget shouldn't the goal. ending the federal debt should be. and it should all be paid by the leftists who created it.
Also on the libertarian side of conservatism, I was actually a member of the Libertarian party in NYC. In 1980, I went to the watch party of the Libertarian party in NYC. Small place and smaller number of "watchers". Casual conversation convinced me they all were passionate about their position against things but the things were not related to/ or the opposite of the things anyone else in the room was against.
The Deep Stench gave us Trump 2.0, and while the last four years were painful to experience, the new Trump administration is a joy to behold, and his cabinet will be rightly inspired to follow his lead impressively and carry the torch, making America great again, or more perfect, you know.
One of the best of some great posts.
I'm struck by how relatively tame the general response to the initial revelations of incopetency and outright corruption have been. Even one of the multi-million dollar awards from USAID to a news organization, or an NGO that clearly isn't doing what it says its mission is should provoke outrage. Across the board outrage, not just in the opposition party. Some of that comes through in comment threads like this one, but not at the level that seems right to me. Bill Kristol and Chelsea Clinton in these examples should be stripped of all social, cultural, political, or any other level of influence - completely. The calls for that should be comprehensive and even aggressively ruthless. That is not to be taken in any sense in the realm of the physical, but in the accurate realm of public discourse.
It is incredibly disconcerting to see that outrage actually manifesting in opposition to these cuts. It's understandable on the one hand since they're being kicked off the gravy train. There should be a counterpoint that is equally, if not more, publicly manifest.
The academic and philosophical understanding about the corruptibility of money and power is being demonstrated in reality. This visibility and revelation warrants something more in reality, not just columns and editorials.
The analogy of Trump & Gandalf is very apt: both were thrown down by their adversary only to return to complete their mission against the enemy. Other analogies may be Obi-Wan Kenobe, or perhaps the Arthurian legends. Whatever, the important thing is that it appears Trump may well be one of those historic & transformative figures by being the right man in the right place at the right time.
After all, luck (or as Mr. Spock was want to say: random probability has operated in our favor) is always an important element for greatness.
I could not be happier. It is like my 18 year old self, hepped up on Heinlein and immersed in Student Congress, somehow actually came to power.