“Real power is – I don’t even want to use the word – fear.”*
Fear is exactly how President Trump started Trump 2.0. His executive orders set off uncertainty, chaos and fear. He used day one to pardon persons convicted of violent crimes, assaulting police officers and freed the leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. Why…to create an environment of fear.
More fear was created among Americans when Trump withdrew from the World Health Organization…remember COVID and spreading Bird Flu. Concerns were raised when orders were signed withdrawing from the Paris climate treaty. Think back to the extremely hot summer, hurricanes and deeply cold winter. Even tough man President-elect Trump feared the cold and moved his inauguration inside.
Other executive orders on immigration, trade, demographic diversity, civil rights and the hiring/firing of federal workers resulted in confusion. Americans have concerns about price increases to be brought on by Trump’s tariffs that only raise money to provide tax deductions for his billionaire friends.
More disruption has been caused by his orders related to federal loans & grants which people & agencies depend upon. Creating confusion among city planners, builders & homeowners wanting water, sewer & broadband. Trump is taking the power of the purse away from Congress who represents you.
More frighting is the firing of Inspector Generals across the government. These are the people who identify and fight waste, fraud and abuse at all levels of the government. (Thought this was a Trump concern.)
Where did all these insane ideas come from? If you followed the presidential campaign no doubt you heard of Project 2025. Of course, Trump said during the election he knew nothing of this document. That’s hard to believe since one of his “soldiers” Russ Vought, the architect of Project 2025, the policy guide in the Trump administration…has appointed Vought to lead the Office of Management & Budget…the most powerful organization in the Federal government.
Finally, in the book “FEAR TRUMP In The WHITE HOUSE” by Bob Woodward there is a passage where Trump is giving advice to a friend. Woodward writes Trump said “Real power is fear. It’s all about strength. Never show weakness. You’ve always got to be strong. Don’t be bullied. There is no choice.”
*Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump in an interview with Bob Woodward and Robert Costa on March 31, 2016, at the Old Post Office Pavilion, Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C.
PS – Another use of fear – Last night meeting with House Republicans at his Doral club…Trump said, “ I’ve raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can’t use for myself, but I’m not 100 percent sure. I think I.m not allowed to run again. I/m not sure.”