If you as a voter proposed to re-hire Incoming-President Donald Trump on the basis of his first term handling of the economy, bring about reversals in some inflation, and perhaps tightening up the border, as we’re told that most voters did – then one could begin the new impending term with some direction – some expectation and anticipation, a sense of, “Well, let’s see what happens… ” it would at least fit with the themes set out last fall. But doing so requires one to ignore the more disturbing elements of the campaign regarding a promised second go-round, promises that extend back to the original J-6th. Soon to be President Trump spent the last four years on a perpetual grievance tour- one in which the statement – “I will be your retribution” became a theme. And now, on the verge of taking office again, Trump just posted what amounts to an enemies list of the highest order, something that should send a shudder down one’s spine only to be wrapped around the nation’s soul.
To be sure, below – we merely have a “list” of people who “won’t be working in the new Trump administration” with no promise or greater threat alongside. It doesn’t change the fact that no one walked around confused as to whether Liz Cheney would be welcome in the Trump 2025 administration. But late yesterday, HuffPo published the following story:
Donald Trump posted online a list of people he said are not welcome to serve in his second administration, many of whom he also referred to with derogatory nicknames. Critics called it a “blacklist” and said it proves the president-elect wants total loyalty from government workers when he returns to office on Monday.
Again, the post below wouldn’t be referenced as a “blacklist” without both talk during the entire four-year off season and Trump’s notorious need to get “back” at people:
They included his former national security adviser John Bolton, his own former Vice President Mike Pence and former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Trump also dismissed from possible roles “any of the other people suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, more commonly known as TDS.”
Trump continues to demonstrate he isn’t looking to hire competent people from a broad spectrum of Republicans, but purely Trump loyalists who will celebrate his lies and lick his boots without shame. pic.twitter.com/FbelP9Mu6u
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 16, 2025
The “General (?)” in reference to Mark Milley and James Mattis – Four Star American heroes without any regard to service in the previous administration, is what makes it Trumpian-art. Of course, absent a direct threat – this isn’t a classic “enemies list.” Of course it could be worse, the threat is one of exclusion and not inclusion. But why publish it? To scare them and all others in their shoes? Is there any other explanation.
There is another consideration and it shouldn’t fly under the radar. Why is Trump spending his time on this? Whatever else he has done in the past, with respect to the here and now – he won. They won. All things MAGA won. The Trump-Republicans won control of every branch of government and now possess every requisite tool to “Make America Great Again.” Why waste time on what has been? Isn’t it enough to sit back content with a job well done in getting there and a sense of excitement over what they might actually “do” for the country?
Where are the actual proposals? Where is the new healthcare plan to replace the ACA? The Obamacare framework sat like a boil on their asses for over 10 years and they’ve wanted to lance it from the beginning. So where is the replacement? In 2021, during the first year of President Biden’s term, Democrats and Republicans in Congress passed the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Act” – a plan to drag this country kicking and screaming into the 21st Century with high speed rural broadband among many other things. Where is the follow up? Put a big, golden “Trump” on top of every new bridge, every new tunnel, whatever – just do it. Where is the new military reshuffling? We can even go so far as to ask, “What do you plan on doing on the border on Day One? Are you building that wall and stimulating the economy?” One wants to shake them up with a big “Do something! Stop whining and get Big!”
But you just can’t escape the sense that this “is” what they consider doing something, indeed – terrifyingly close to everything, exacting revenge – despite the fact that they just got revenge with a wave of red across the map and a SCOTUS with six seats on the Right. It all seems so small compared to what most Americans likely thought they would get. There is no conceivable way that even 10% of Americans care what happens to Liz Cheney. We had to endure a full 18 months of hearing how America had become a mountain of ashes. So, go fix it if that’s what this was all about!
It may be pure fantasy, but it would be infinitely healthier for us as a nation if Trump had come out right after the election and said, “Well, I promised retribution. We got it. I will be president again, we’ll do it my way. So, suck on it.” And then moved along to actually do the lasting things that go into governing the richest, most powerful nation on earth. I said above, it all seems “small” – unless you are on the list, and at that point one likely feels vulnerable. What does he plan anyway? Does anyone know? Does he? The underlying questions may serve his purpose, to put those folks into a corner, fearing the future. (Good fffing luck getting Mattis and Milley to fear anything, but regular people… ) Just ask – how could the President of the United States have time for such stuff? Isn’t he now big enough? Why isn’t the inauguration and White House enough?
We will see. But for now, the nightmare many feared, a term filled with vitriolic retribution, punishment for simple opposition, with no greater sense of urgency, it all lays ahead. After all, he didn’t need to tell the world that he wouldn’t be hiring Mike Pence. Yet he so did.
On the verge of retaking the White House, he chose to lay down an unhealthy and un-American distraction where there should be none. One hopes that on January 20th, Susie Wiles – the new White House underboss, takes his phone and smashes it against the Capitol steps with a “Let’s go to work” stare. It really should be enough – he is, again, President of the United States. Act like it. Go build something.
God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected] and on X at @JasonMiciak and now on Bluesky.
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Damn! I’m not on it…guess I’ll have to try harder!
in the time (dis)honored phrase: Stand by. Early days
Where are their plans? There aren’t any, obviously, just like there weren’t the first time around. All we saw last time was lies and hot air. I suspect we’ll see more meanness this time around as he’s added a few more people with agendas to enrich themselves at our expense and the skill to do so. I’m so dreading this vulgar group of people running things. I hope someone in government has done something to protect our records for the future so we don’t lose our history completely. UGH!!!!
In 1933 Germany was still standing, albeit, headed for disaster. By 1945 it was a pile of rubble, with millions of Germans dead, and their history and reputation RUINED FOREVER. I’d keep my expectations extremely low at this point.