The Crassness Of The Trump Deal

Decades ago the book about Trump, The Art Of The Deal, helped propel him into the national spotlight. People now refer to his presidency as transactional, referring to his deals on national and foreign policy.

I for one, along with many others, am finding that style of governance distasteful. I'm also souring on the peripheral characters who float in and out of Trump's orbit. We learned this weekend that Elon Musk is back. With SpaceX going public, and NASA'S ARTEMIS 2 not a SpaceX project, Elon wants to insure his position at Cape Canaveral. He will be dispensing $millions to the likes of Ryan Mackenzie to keep Trump's favor. While the Palestinians in Gaza are living in tents this winter, Jared Kushner is showing upscale skyscraper sketches for its waterfront...how's that for a disconnect from the harsh realities there!

This blog started about two decades ago to fight against the corruption in a mayoral administration. Although I feel the same revulsion against the current administration in Washington, I'm encouraged about Trump's shift in attitude in Minneapolis. I'm hoping it is more than just reacting to a newscast.

Who Told Trump To Apologize To The British?

Last week was bigly bad for Donald. He would have been much better off skipping Davos. His Greenland threats went flat, and his Peace Club was reduced to foreign aid recipients. Worse for his battered ego, he had to apologize to Britain for his remark about their NATO troops. 

The reason of course he had such a bad week was that he has no advisors, at least on his cabinet. But the apology does indicate that he does listen to someone, because I cannot imagine that he realized that an apology was necessary on his own. If it is Stephen Miller or Steve Witkoff, or someone else, my staff has not determined. There does however seem to be some definite advice toward moderation. Tom Homan is replacing Gregory Bovino in Minneapolis, suggesting Trump knows that ICE has gone too far.

We do know that a victim of Trumpism is our homegrown Ryan Mackenzie. His press release yesterday on the ICE shooting was better thought out than his meme last week praising Trump. On this recent shooting he struck a conciliatory tone, although staying to the right.There was no mention that Kristi Noem defended the shooting, and other immediate knee-jerk reactions from the administration.

The Toll Of Trump's Arrogance

For Trump's second term, he wasn't going to put up with any pesky advisors. No expertise need apply. He assembled a cast of sycophants, yes men and women, whose requirements were no deeper than their appearance.

Last week Trump put the last nail in our coffin with Europe. He undid alliances going back to the First World War. Europe knew Trump was deficient  before last week, but then Britain actually wanted an apology about NATO losses in Afghanistan. Trump apologized to the British, but not to other NATO members. Our next president is going to have a job on his hands just restoring trust with our former allies.

Most consequential to American health is Kennedy, whose anti-vaccine ignorance is reviving dormant diseases. Most consequential to American defense is Hegseth, who has turned our Navy into pirates. Most consequential to our democracy are Noem and Bondi, who defend Americans being killed for protest. Although this recent shooting by ICE is under investigation, with mixed reports about the sequence of events, it is clear that ICE is doing the country more harm than good at this point. Republicans will have to decide if they put party or country first.

MacKenzie Doubles Down On Trump

I was surprised to see the Trump meme on Mackenzie's Facebook feed. While I have been recommending that the Congressman speak out against Trump, I figured that he would just quietly promote himself, with little to no mention of Trump. 

Could Trump be more popular here in the Valley and Poconos than I realize? I don't think so .Is it possible that Mackenzie thinks that the President's agenda is wonderful?

While Mackenzie's Democratic opponent is yet unknown, it is known that it will be a very expensive election. In addition to maintaining a majority in the house, Trump is concerned about impeachment. I'll speculate that Ryan is going for the campaign money, and likely Trump himself campaigning for him.

Siegel Bites Holihan Twice

Last fall when Republican DA Gavin Holihan endorsed Josh Siegel, the local Republicans were upset. He was endorsing a Democrat, a no-no in politics. To add to the angst, Siegel, a couple positions earlier, had marched with a defund the police group.

Earlier this week Siegel announced the eviction of a federal enforcement agency, playing on the current emotions against ICE. Never mind that this particular agency is involved with human trafficking, not deportation. Among those upset with the decision is Holihan, who counts on and cooperates with that agency against traffickers. 

The eviction dog and pony show was co-sponsored by Siegel and Mark Pinsley, a perpetual candidate now running for the 7th Congressional district nomination. Like Pinsley who is currently County Controller, Siegel may have ambitions beyond County Executive. I doubt that Holihan will want to be bitten three times.

Jarrett Coleman Speaks Out

Jarrett Coleman has been taking some flak for calling Philadelphia a sh-t hole. He accused their progressive DA of being too soft on crime. 

Just a few years ago the DA and the former police chief decided to turn their backs on shop lifting. Finally the merchants cried uncle loud enough to be heard.  Larry Krasner the DA has responded to Coleman that the homicide rate is lower than it has been in a decade. Credit poor aim and good ER hospitals.

Coleman is my favorite pol in Harrisburg, he actually wants an accounting by Allentown's NIZ. Although his choice of words about the City Of Brotherly Love may have been better chosen, he's correct about safety in Philadelphia. There are neighborhoods there, like Kensington, that most cities would not tolerate.