Republicans -- and some Democrats and Independents -- voted for a man who behaves in a rebelliously unconventional manner. A man who deserts and betrays social norms, standard political principles — and those he deems disloyal.
A man convicted of 34 felonies by a jury of his peers. A man liable for sexual assault and defamation where the jury awarded his accuser $5 million dollars for sexual abuse and $83.3 million for defamation. He is the first modern day president to not concede his election loss in 2020. And he is the first sitting president to incite a deadly riot to 'stop the steal' at the the Capitol during Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s victory.
After Trump’s 2024 election win and before taking office, he has selected mostly inexperienced lackeys for his cabinet picks. Overall, they are unqualified and/or dangerous. These nominations reveal his priority of loyalty and retribution over the nation’s interest.
These are his outrageous picks so far:
Matt Gaetz for US Attorney General. Allegations of sexually assaulting a 17 year old minor, illicit drug use and sharing inappropriate video images on the House of Representatives floor. He abruptly withdrew his nomination.
Pam Bondi for US Attorney General. Outspoken Trump loyalist who insisted legal courts cases were weaponized against Trump.
Kash Patel for Director of FBI. An extremist who said he would go after judges and jail journalists.
Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Zero experience. He secretly paid a financial settlement to a woman who had accused him of rape.
Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National. Intelligence. No intelligence experience.Excuses President Assad’s criminal behavior; uses President Putin’s talking points. Pro - Russia , Pro Syria.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Director of Health Care and Human Services Secretary. No health care experience and would oversee $1.7 trillion budget and workforces of 80,000.Pitches wild conspiracy theories and rejects science.
I hope you will take a closer look at who the president-elect chooses to help run the government. These selections are signs of chaos, vindictiveness, revenge and retribution. The majority of Americans are not looking for anarchy or autocracy but this is it.
I hope the Republican majority in the House and Senate will be truth tellers and have the courage to stand up to their party leader when needed.
Will Republicans and the Republican administration, many who claim Christianity as their foundation, protect and defend the U.S. Constitution which is the fundamental law of the land? Will appointed and elected governmental officials uphold their oath to the Constitution, not to any party or president?
The legacy of America is not merely the legacy of the presidents. History will record if our democratic institutions, free press and free elections stood the test of time and remain. History will show if the Republican Party stood up for democracy, upheld the rule of law, acted justly and valued fair representation toward all Americans.
Donald Trump’s nomination picks and his own checkered history, including his affinity with dictators are warning signs to all of us. Stay alert for the good of this nation and the world. Otherwise, we may internalize an oppressive rule, agree to go along, without realizing our fall into tyranny.
— Sharon McNeil resides in Monroe and is a member of the Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good. She can be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com
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