March 8, 2025
Dear editor;
Favored guests and G.O.P. legislators smiled attentively during Donald Trump’s marathon message to Congress March 5th, where they were apparently unphased by the barrage of exaggerations and falsehoods.
Standing and cheering became the norm as they competed to outdo each other, as if they were trying out for coveted cheerleading positions; this is to be expected at a political love-fest.
It was interesting that Trump specifically introduced a surprised Kash Patel, the new Director of the F.B.I., as if to signal to perceived political detractors “Behave or be investigated”. Coincidentally, at the close of the event, the President made his way to his favorite Supreme Court Justices and with no sense of supposed impartiality, shook their hands, patted their backs, and audibly thanked them!
Is there trouble in paradise? The cracks are already beginning to show: Whether it is Trump’s flagrant disrespect for our closest and dearest neighbors, or his televised Balanchine pirouette toward war criminal Putin and its unconscionable oval office extortion display, pressure on the White House faithful is mounting.
Nevertheless, in order to keep his hands clean, Trump enlisted a 6-foot, 200-pound peculiarity with ears, dressed in black no less, to dismantle the federal Civil Service, indiscriminately firing, possibly illegally, tens of thousands of employees thus crippling vital agencies upon which millions of Americans depend.
Cabinet secretaries in charge of these agencies are not thrilled. They have paid their political dues by whatever means to justify their appointments: They did not get there selling cookies; they are competitive, combative, lusting for power and they see Musk as an unwanted, undeserving interloper wielding a chainsaw on their respective fiefdoms.
The American people have not yet felt the sting of the chaos supposedly enacted for their benefit; Given Trump’s notorious insecurities, a pliable Supreme Court, Justice Department, F.B.I., and perhaps even a pliable military, citizens participating in peaceful future demonstrations may be in jeopardy.
At this writing, townhall forums in Republican districts are being postponed, curtailing any semblance of a vocal, irate Republican constituency. One writer has suggested (David Frum, The Atlantic) as the 2026 mid-term elections approach, Trump may do anything to maintain his hold on power: He already failed to overturn an election—what is to stop him now that he has such incredible means at his disposal?
Please go in peace.
Dave Hoehne, Aurora