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Inauguration (Part 3): The Issues

Inauguration (Part 3): The Issues


Part 3 of a series of commentaries on the key aspects of the Inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.

For any previous presidential Inaugurations, this commentary would have been unnecessary, It is traditionally a day of pomp and circumstances – with a speech reminiscing over the nation’s constitutional foundation, the long history of America’s experiment in democracy — and the succession of peaceful transitions in power.  It is traditionally a holiday from political controversy and partisan acrimony.

Not this year.  The gauntlets of political division were cast to the ground in every direction.   The issues that divide us were the center of attention.  Through Executive Orders, memoranda and directives, Trump laid down his stakes. 

Trump did not merely articulate his positions.  He took actions – some decisive … others to be tested in Congress and the federal courts … and yet others to be battled in the court of public opinion.  The issues Trump covered were so comprehensive that political pundits drew on an old sports cliché to say he flooded the zone.  Indeed, he did.

Foreign Affairs

In terms of foreign affairs, Trump arrived at Inauguration Day with a win.  While President Biden claimed victory in his long effort to win a ceasefire and hostage exchange in the Hamas War, most credit the Trump team’s involvement in the negotiations with breaking the deadlock – and specifically his threats to unleash hell if there was no ceasefire and hostage release before he took office.  Up to that time, the Biden plan had been languishing on the conference table for months — with little chance of implementation.

Trump did not end the Ukrainian conflict on day one, as he often claimed he would.  While the obsessed Trump haters hold that as a promise not kept, no rational person saw that as anything more than hyperbole. He did express his readiness to negotiate – and said that Putin should be, considering the heavy toll the war is taking on Russia.  We know that Russia maintaining control of a portion of Ukraine would be a win for Putin.  It is not apparent how Ukraine benefits from a ceasefire.  To me it looks like a win for Putin –exactly what should NOT happen.

It appears that Trump is resurrecting President Polk’s “Manifest Destiny” doctrine.  He proposes expanding America’s real estate interests to Greenland, Panama and Canada.  The proposals range respectively from serious to silly – with the Panama Canal a flip of the coin.

In an expression of cartography over geography, Trump called for the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.  Originally known as “Golfo de la Nueva España”, It became the Gulf of Mexico in the mid-1500s.  How the world will react is an open question, but one of the day-after local Florida weather reports already referred to that body of water as the “Gulf of America.”

As was expected, Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Accords and the World Health Organization –although I believe the latter is a negotiating maneuver.  He has imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.  These are all intended to gain negotiating advantage on issues such as drugs, immigration and trade.

Woke is Dead

Prior to Trump’s reelection, the Woke Movement had a hold on the American culture – advanced and protected by the radical left-wing policies of the Democratic Party.   Following the election, the pillars of the woke culture began to crumble.  State governments, businesses and schools began terminating their Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) programs.  Most notable were such major corporations as Walmart, Amazon, Meta, and McDonald’s.  More than a dozen states banned DEI in government agencies and public schools – even state universities.  Trump has now ordered the end of DEI throughout the federal government – including the military — and has put all DEI federal workers on leave, pending reassignment or termination.

In addition, Trump has declared that the federal government will recognize only two genders – male and female.  He signed women’s protection act banning male athletes from participating in women’s sports.  He pushed back on the cancel culture with a declaration ending censorship – which means there will be no forced use of gender-fluid pronouns.

Law and Order

First and foremost, Trump banned the weaponization of the justice system against political enemies.  He rescinded Biden orders that gave prosecutors greater discretion in investigating and filing charges.

In terms of immigration, he ordered the deportation of illegal aliens – prioritizing those with criminal records and those with standing deportation orders.  He ordered the justice department to take criminal action against state and local officials who interfere with the duties and activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In his most controversial action, Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of approximately 1500 Capitol Hill rioters.  (More about that in a future commentary).

Pettiness

Among Trump’s lesser qualities is his occasional pettiness.  It was on display when he ordered the removal of the official gallery portrait of General Mark Milley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff from the wall of the Pentagon – and again when he ordered the removal of Secret Service protections from his former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who has been marked for death by terrorists.

Summary

This is only a small fraction of the actions Trump took in the first 24 hours of his presidency.  It gives the word “unprecedented” a new meaning.  There will be many, many, many more executive actions to come in the next 100 days – and beyond.  And that does not include the legislative actions being proposed and planned by the GOP-controlled Congress.

With the possible exception of the pardons for the egregious rioters and those petty actions, I believe that the actions taken by Trump are going to be well received by the American people.

The red wave that swept the nation on Election Day has turned into the red tsunami that is shaking the foundations of the entrenched political establishment in Washington.  The Deep State is in deep sh….   Oh, never mind.

So, there ‘tis
















































Part 3 of a series of commentaries on the key
aspects of the Inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of
the United States.
For any previous presidential Inaugurations, this commentary
would have been unnecessary, It is traditionally a day of pomp and
circumstances – with a speech reminiscing over the nation’s constitutional
foundation, the long history of America’s experiment in democracy — and the
succession of peaceful transitions in power. 
It is traditionally a holiday from political controversy and partisan
acrimony.Not this year.  The
gauntlets of political division were cast to the ground in every
direction.   The issues that divide us
were center of attention.  Through
Executive Orders, memoranda and directives, Trump laid down his stakes.  Trump did not merely articulate his positions.  He took actions – some decisive … others to
be tested in Congress and the federal courts … and yet others to be battled
in the court of public opinion.  The
issues Trump covered were so comprehensive that political pundits drew on an
old sports cliché to say he flooded the zone. 
Indeed, he did.Foreign AffairsIn terms of foreign affairs, Trump arrived at Inauguration
Day with win.  While President Biden
claimed victory in his long effort to win a ceasefire and hostage exchange in the
Hamas War, most credit the Trump team’s involvement in the negotiations with
breaking the deadlock – and specifically his threats to unleash hell if here
was no ceasefire and hostage release before he took office.  Up to that time, the Biden plan had been languishing
on the conference table for months — with little chance of implementation.Trump did not end the Ukrainian conflict on day one, as he
often claimed he would.  While the
obsessed Trump haters hold that as a promise not kept, no rational person saw
that as anything more than hyperbole. He did express his readiness to negotiate
– and said that Putin should be, considering the heavy toll the war is taking
on Russia.  We know that Russia maintaining
control of a portion of Ukraine would be a win for Putin.  It is not apparent how Ukraine benefits from
a ceasefire.  To me it looks like a win
for Putin –exactly what should NOT happen.It appears that Trump is resurrecting President Polk’s “Manifest
Destiny” doctrine.  He proposes expanding
America’s real estate interests to Greenland, Panama and Canada.  The proposals range respectively from serious
to silly – with the Panama Canal a flip of the coin.In an expression of cartography over geography, Trump called
for the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.  Originally known as “Golfo de la Nueva
España”, It became the Gulf of Mexico in the mid-1500s.  How the world will react is an open question, but
one of the day-after local Florida weather reports already referred to that
body of water as the “Gulf of America.”As was expected, Trump withdrew the United States from the
Paris Accords and the World Health Organization –although I believe the latter
is a negotiating maneuver.  He has
imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. 
These are all intended to gain negotiating advantage on issues such as
drugs, immigration and trade.Woke is DeadPrior to Trump’s reelection, the Woke Movement had a hold on
the American culture – advanced and protected by the radical left-wing policies
of the Democratic Party.   Following the
election, the pillars of the woke culture began to crumble.  State governments, businesses and schools
began terminating their Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) programs.  Most notably were such major corporations as Walmart,
Amazon, Meta, and McDonald’s.  More than
a dozen states banned DEI in government agencies and public schools – even
state universities.  Trump has now
ordered the end of DEI throughout the federal government – including the
military — and has put all DEI federal workers on leave, pending reassignment
or termination.In addition, Trump has declared that the federal government
will recognize only two genders – male and female.  He signed women’s protection act banning male
athletes from participating in women’s sports. 
He pushed back on the cancel culture with a declaration ending censorship
– which means there will be no forced use of gender-fluid pronouns.Law and OrderFirst and foremost, Trump banned the weaponization of the
justice system against political enemies. 
He rescinded Biden orders that gave prosecutors greater discretion in
investigating and filing charges.In terms of immigration, he ordered the deportation of
illegal aliens – prioritizing those with criminal records and those with
standing deportation orders.  He ordered
the justice department to take criminal action against state and local
officials who interfere with the duties and activities of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE).In his most controversial action, Trump pardoned or commuted
the sentences of approximately 1500 Capitol Hill rioters.  (More about that in a future commentary).PettinessAmong Trump’s lesser qualities is his occasional
pettiness.  It was on display when he
ordered the removal of the official gallery portrait of General Mark Milley,
former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff from the wall of the Pentagon –
and again when ordered the removal of Secret Service protections from his
former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who has been marked for death by
terrorists.SummaryThis is only a small fraction of the actions Trump took in
the first 24 hours of his presidency.  It
gives the word “unprecedented” new meaning. 
There will be many, many, many more executive actions to come in the
next 100 days – and beyond.  And that
does not include the legislative actions being proposed and planned by the GOP
controlled Congress.With the possible exception of the pardons for the egregious
rioters and those petty actions, I believe that the actions taken by Trump are
going to be well received by the American people.The red wave that swept the nation on Election Day has
turned into the red tsunami that is shaking the foundations of the entrenched
political establishment in Washington. 
The Deep State is in deep sh….  
Oh, never mind.So, there ‘tis

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

5 Comments

  1. frank danger

    Does the author ever read Horist? Now this was 2021, perhaps the author missed it:

    “President-elect Joe Biden has promised to sign a flurry of Executive Orders on the first day of his administration. They will mostly undo the many Executive Orders issued by President Trump. Just as Trump used the Executive Order power to undo those of President Obama.”

    “Even as they declined in numbers, the modern Executive Orders have increased in scope. They have essentially usurped the Congress’ constitutional role in making laws. Increasingly, the Supreme Court has had to step in and declare a number of them to be an abuse of Presidential power.”

    “In addition to the potential for abusing presidential powers, the use of Executive Orders to make law is that they are not durable. They do not resolve an issue by creating a precedent, but merely cause dramatic swings in public policy as a new President undoes the orders of his predecessor.”

    “THERE SEEMS TO BE ONLY TWO POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO THE INCREASING USE OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO IMPOSE POLICY GOALS OF A BROAD NATURE – ESSENTIALLY TO CREATE LAWS BY PRESIDENTIAL EDICT.

    The first would be for the federal courts to define the legitimate use of Executive Orders more narrowly. The second is for Congress to re-establish its authority as the nation’s law-making body.

    Unfortunately, Congress has weakened the balance of power between the three branches by increasingly abrogating its responsibility – instead, deferring to the President and the federal courts to make law.

    This is an issue that should elicit bipartisan congressional action since the historic record shows that the abuse of the Executive Order power by various Presidents is bipartisan.”

    THE ABUSE OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER POWER BY VARIOUS PRESIDENTS IS BIPARTISAN.

    Today’s Horist: “With the possible exception of the pardons for the egregious rioters and those petty actions, I believe that the actions taken by Trump are going to be well received by the American people.

    Win-lose. He believes Trump will be well received by the American people. It’s not abusive IF you like the abuse. That is a foolish self-centered thought. If this was a Democrat, he would be up in arms about using EO’s to make laws usurping Congress He is lying to himself to spin positive that which will be received like anything Trump: Magarats love it, others — not so much It’s good to be King. Two years.

    Reply
  2. Mike f

    Most of this is typical horist blathering ‘republicans good-democrats bad’ but I really had to laugh out loud in the ‘law and order’ section where Larry pointed out that trump was banning the weaponization of the justice department. That really takes the cake, as one of the promises that trump has made is to go after his political enemies-he wants to have control over the justice department, unlike the status quo in the past. Of course Larry is bound to pounce on this and say “but Biden weaponized the justice department”. That of course is complete bullshit-all of the activities that trump was indicted for were completely out in the open and illegal. Does anyone think rioters would have gone to the Capitol and caused millions of dollars of damage and 100’s of injuries to the police protecting the Capitol if not for the fool having a rally on Jan 6? The senators and representatives that were there that day know the actions were serious, know trump is guilty, but are too spineless to voice their actual opinion today (many others are included here too-Larry horist definitely being in this category). And of course there is the stolen documents case that trumps personal judge delayed by every means she could think of. Yes, be proud you idiotic trump supporters, you have the felon you want back in the WH who has said there will be no weaponization of the DOJ-at least with regard to himself….

    Reply
  3. frank danger

    And there we have it. Trump made Columbia back down and cave to his wishes. Isn’t that like him picking on Carroll? On the judge? On the Georgia election workers? When will he pick on someone his own size?

    A real man would have called the Columbian President, told him what he thought, told him what he would do, and see if the CP would change his mind and they could come to a conclusion.

    But no. It’s Columbia, what can they do, so let’s pull out the ole crazy man routine, go off the walls, take many stupid actions to bully the bitch, and then pound our chest, say look at me, look at me, I’m the Felon King of the World and you are not. Wow, can we beat up on Luxemburg next?

    At this rate, will the world be with us IF and WHEN we need them? Or will the worm turn faster than Bush can say “Katrina.”
    Where’s the biding: less than 20 days in office, he has said he wants Greenland and the Panama Canal and does not rule out military force. He has bullied Columbia with tariffs, sanctions, and more to get his way with them. He has removed security clearances from people he does not like putting them in harm’s way. He commuted the sentence of 14 of the worst felons on 1/6 and pardoned over 1,500, close to 1,600 people who beat and brutalized our boys in blue using whatever they could to bludgeon them. Trump’s message: break the law in my name and I will set you free to do more harm. It’s his private army of brownshirts, many more than willing to do it again, some already announcing their violent intentions. He has deployed our military domestically; sure, against illegal immigration, but it’s early yet and he has shown his colors. Redefined birthright citizenship voiding the 14th Amendment in our, not his, Bill of Rights. And started the purge of immigrants, focusing on criminals but arresting anything in their path to sort it out later. Already rumors of abuse have begun. Handcuffs, no water, innocents caught in the snares, and more. Directions to void federal financial support to those LEGALLY offering sanctuary, including the Church.

    Withdrew from Paris Accord, WHO, while allowing the Chinese TikTok to continue in the US.

    Today, he boldly stated we should repatriate all the people in GAZA to Egypt and Jordan. The high right Israelis are jumping for joy. But remember, Kushner, his deal with the Saudi Prince, $2B in investment money to be focused on Israeli partnerships and development. Have you seen Gaza: it’s 25 miles of beach front and Kushner, rabid right Israeli’s have been talking about development forever. And now the Saudi Prince says he wants to partner with Israel in development. This could be the Trump land-grab of the century. It’s all coming together now.

    Horist: ““With the possible exception of the pardons for the egregious rioters and those petty actions, I believe that the actions taken by Trump are going to be well received by the American people.”

    You gotta love how this guy, Trump, says it and does it right in front of the people’s faces and some say: “please sir, might I have some more.” Well, there’s always room for more.

    Well received though? You betcha: NOT.

    Reply
    • Mike f

      Have to point out to you Frank that trump made a tactical error in his Columbia attack. First-the issue was not the repatriation of migrants-it was the fact that trump used military aircraft and there was no advance notice given to the Colombians that the flights were coming. Biden had made arrangements with Columbia regarding repatriation which if followed, would not have presented a problem. Being the idiot that he is, Trump did not follow this protocol. Now Columbia is probably the closest ally we have in South America, and pissing them off is probably not a smart thing to do (surprise!) as that makes them more inclined to ally themselves with you know who (China). Just the start of the demise of our great country I’m afraid…

      Reply
  4. frank danger

    Did Trump just say DEI caused the DC plane/copter crash?

    “With the possible exception of the pardons for the egregious rioters and those petty actions, I believe that the actions taken by Trump are going to be well received by the American people.”

    Only 90 days until Trump ends the Ukraine War for the second promise having miserably failed on the first making it look like a frivolous lie for the maga-masses that believe him the first time, and the second time, and yada yada yada.

    From newsweek: “Trump’s alleged 100-day plan to end the war in Ukraine includes conducting a phone call with Putin in late January or early February, meeting with both Putin and Zelensky in February or March, and declaring a ceasefire along the front lines by Easter, which falls on April 20 this year.

    In declaring a ceasefire, Ukrainian troops would also be withdrawn from Kursk, and an International Peace Conference would commence its work to forge an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to end the war, to be mediated by other global powers. A declaration on the agreed parameters for ending the war would be released by May 9, after which Kyiv would be asked not to extend martial law or mobilize.

    The proposed parameters of the agreement to end the war include barring Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO and declaring neutrality, Kyiv becoming a part of the EU by 2030, and the EU facilitating postwar reconstruction. Ukraine would also maintain the size of its army and continue to receive military support from the U.S. It would also “refuse military and diplomatic attempts to return the occupied territories” and “officially recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over them.”

    The idea of lifting some sanctions against Russia was also noted, possibly within three years, depending on its compliance with the agreement to end the war. The restrictions on importing Russian energy sources to the EU would allegedly be lifted, with special duties imposed on them, and the funding going toward Ukraine’s restoration.

    The alleged proposals also include allowing parties advocating for peace with Russia to run in Kyiv’s elections and holding separate consultations about maintaining a European contingent of peacekeepers after the conclusion of the war.

    Zelensky’s office has denied that the peace plan is legitimate. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, wrote on Telegram that the 100-day peace plan reported by the media did not “exist in reality.” He added that such reports often disguised allegations spread by Russians.”

    Guess he ends the war by giving up to Putin, giving Putin his ill-gotten gains, and making NATO bend a knee to Putin by not letting Ukraine join.”

    What did we get?

    Reply

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  1. Frank Danger .... Lots of opinion and not a scintilla of evidence. Where is your proof, old man? Funny how…