Politics
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November 19, 2024
Will they stand as much as even the scariest of those nominees? I’m not optimistic.
President-elect Donald Trump at a Home Republicans convention assembly on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024.
(Allison Robbert / Getty Pictures)
Maine Senator Susan Collins stated she’s “shocked” by Donald Trump’s nomination of accused intercourse trafficker Matt Gaetz to be legal professional normal, the nation’s prime legislation enforcement official. At the least a dozen GOP senators have declined to say whether or not they’ll help Gaetz. Others have raised questions on Trump’s gorgeous choice of politically inexperienced Fox Information host and potential white nationalist Pete Hegseth as protection secretary. The truth that Gaetz, Hegseth, and proposed Well being and Human Providers secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have all been credibly accused of sexual abuse in all probability received’t be disqualifying; their future boss, the president elect, is an adjudicated rapist.
I don’t know the way a lot injury former Fox host and reality-TV star Sean Duffy can do on the Division of Transportation, however Trump says he’ll rid the division of these perilous “DEI” and “woke” pilots which have made our skies a nightmare. Actually.
No, the actual problem is all of those nominees’ utter lack of qualification for his or her momentous jobs—and the probability that, if confirmed, Gaetz and Hegseth shall be foot troopers in two crusades Trump is lethal severe about: mass deportation and prosecuting his perceived political enemies. (Kennedy will possible be too busy dismantling HHS vaccine tips and posing different risks to public well being.)
However for Trump, their lack of qualification would possibly truly be a promoting level. They possess no competence or experience that might intrude with their being full Trump toadies, of their roles to do his bidding and his bidding solely. Add in anti-immigrant Stephen Miller as deputy chief for coverage, “border czar” Tom Homan, totally unqualified South Dakota Senator (and pet killer) Kristi Noem as Homeland Safety secretary, together with Hegseth, and also you’ve received the makings of a deportation strike pressure. Trump has confirmed that he already plans to make use of the navy to satisfy his objectives—by no means thoughts that it’s unconstitutional.
In the meantime, his transition group is discussing creating an inventory of generals and different navy figures disloyal to Trump, with the potential objective of bringing treason fees in opposition to them. Montana GOP Senator Kevin Cramer, a tower of Jell-O, instructed Fox: “I like the thought of it.”
It’s like Trump is baiting “severe” Republican senators into butting heads with him, however who is aware of if they are going to? Susan Collins says she’s “shocked” by the Gaetz decide, however possibly she’ll say he’s “discovered his lesson,” like she did about Brett Kavanaugh, after a tricky affirmation grilling. And can he even get a tricky grilling? Incoming Senate majority chief John Thune of South Dakota has pledged an “aggressive” schedule of affirmation hearings, however he nonetheless hasn’t taken off the desk the choice of giving Trump recess appointments, permitting his nominees to go with out hearings, which might be one of many greater blows to the Senate’s standing—and our democracy’s.
Present Challenge
Then there’s the notion that Senate Republicans would possibly be capable of get away with rejecting one in all Trump’s noxious picks—Gaetz is on the prime of the listing, as extra witnesses come ahead to say the previous congressman had intercourse with a minor and took part in drug-fueled events—however would then should fall in line. I suppose in spite of everything these years nothing ought to shock me coming from Trump’s Republican Social gathering. However accountable senators ought to take their duty to advise and consent critically, and consider every nominee on his or her deserves, or lack thereof. It’s not ok to dam one unhealthy decide and wave the remainder via.
A coalition of healthcare teams gathered greater than 200 folks on an organizing name Monday to launch the battle to dam the RFK Jr. appointment. We shouldn’t assume that’s a carried out deal, both: Keep in mind the success advocates had in defending the Reasonably priced Care Act in Trump’s first time period. We’re going to wish a comparable advocacy marketing campaign in opposition to each Trump appointment.
We can’t again down
We now confront a second Trump presidency.
There’s not a second to lose. We should harness our fears, our grief, and sure, our anger, to withstand the damaging insurance policies Donald Trump will unleash on our nation. We rededicate ourselves to our position as journalists and writers of precept and conscience.
At the moment, we additionally metal ourselves for the battle forward. It would demand a fearless spirit, an knowledgeable thoughts, smart evaluation, and humane resistance. We face the enactment of Challenge 2025, a far-right supreme courtroom, political authoritarianism, rising inequality and report homelessness, a looming local weather disaster, and conflicts overseas. The Nation will expose and suggest, nurture investigative reporting, and stand collectively as a group to maintain hope and risk alive. The Nation’s work will proceed—because it has in good and not-so-good occasions—to develop various concepts and visions, to deepen our mission of truth-telling and deep reporting, and to additional solidarity in a nation divided.
Armed with a outstanding 160 years of daring, unbiased journalism, our mandate immediately stays the identical as when abolitionists first based The Nation—to uphold the rules of democracy and freedom, function a beacon via the darkest days of resistance, and to check and battle for a brighter future.
The day is darkish, the forces arrayed are tenacious, however because the late Nation editorial board member Toni Morrison wrote “No! That is exactly the time when artists go to work. There is no such thing as a time for despair, no place for self-pity, no want for silence, no room for concern. We converse, we write, we do language. That’s how civilizations heal.”
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Onwards,
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Editorial Director and Writer, The Nation
