Two song lines have been reverberating in my head all week: Bruce Springsteen’s, “Bring on your wrecking ball,” and Miley Cyrus’ “I came in like a wrecking ball.”
A week into Trump’s second term and the U.S. is a much more dangerous place. On Day One of his second term, the self-described “Law and Order President” pardoned 1,500 of his supporters at the Capitol, pretty much cancelling the Department of Justice’s largest prosecutions in history.
These so called “patriots” smashed windows, defecated in hallways, and brought nooses to hang Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence. Three hundred of them pleaded guilty to brutally assaulting police officers.
Had they served their terms, the perpetrators would not have been allowed to purchase firearms after their release. Already, one perpetrator, Daniel Ball, has been arrested since his release on federal gun charges.
On Pro-Trump websites many people said they hoped judges would be executed and police would be “pummeled to death.”
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio have both said they are now free to pursue revenge and they “want it.” A son who testified against his father and the family of Stuart Rhodes are afraid for their lives.
In the midst of all this, Trump put on paid leave all Federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Federal workers. That’s right, U.S. taxpayers are now paying these workers not to go to work.
And then the Senate, thanks to Vice President’s Vance’s tie-breaking vote, confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Thank God we got rid of DEI so qualified candidates like Hegseth can serve. Now he can rid the department of “woke generals” and replace them with more people of his caliber. You know, people like Tulsi Gabbard, Kristi Noem, Kash Patel, and RFK, Jr.
Couple that with Trump firing at least 17 inspectors general that same week. No need to worry that Hegseth might need guardrails as unlikely as he is to get drunk on his own power. (These dismissals appear to violate federal law which requires 30 days’ notice to Congress in an intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector general.)
And wait, more breaking news, Trump cancelled security protection for former officials John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Dr. Fauci. I guess they deserve to die because all three of them have been critical of Trump’s knowledge and intelligence in the past.
In the midst of all this chaos, the Trump team suspended research grant reviews indefinitely at the National Institute of Health which includes vital cancer research and clinical trials—perhaps until vaccine-denier RFK Jr can take the helm. And oh, by the way, avian flu is raging and has recently surfaced in dairy cows. No need to research how to stem that tide.
Yesterday stock futures dropped sharply because of China’s much less costly Deepseek AI announcement and egg prices have cracked $6 per dozen. Well done, American voters.
Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, music and nature.
Bob Kopec says
Finally, some truth is coming out. Thank you Maria. In Trumps’ first term, the Washington Posts’ fact checker team tabulated he told 30,573 lies. He probably wants to beat that number in his second (and thankfully last) term.
Maria Grant says
Thanks for writing. It’s particularly off-putting when you consider that fact-checking has definitely been put on the back burner.
Darrell Parsons says
A couple of days ago, a long time friend said that she doesn’t consider herself a Trump person, but that she considers herself someone with conservative Republican values, and because of that voted for Trump. I didn’t ask her, and I won’t ask her, because I don’t want to argue with her, but if there were a way for me to ask, I would like to know what she considers conservative Republican values. I honestly would like to know the answer to that question from someone who voted for Donald Trump. I understand conservative fiscal values, and the value of a loving family, and the value of supportive organizations. I understand the value of adhering to a political party which one believes represents important values. I don’t understand the value of encouraging angry men to beat up police officers; or men being abusive to women and each other; or to vicious name-calling and abuse of people who are considered different in some way; or of releasing convicted felons from prison after those felons were judged by their peers to be guilty of a crime. My sincere question is… what are currently considered conservative Republican values?
Maria Grant says
That’s a great question. I too would like to know.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Maria –
Trump is your friend. He loves you and everything will be safe and A-OKAY.
Hal De Bona says
Reed, I swear when read your comment I thought I was reading from my Catechism from the 1950’s! I wish you were joking, however I’m afraid you are not.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Do not be afraid, Hal! I was educated by Jesuits in late 1950’s and early 1960s. Several were from Scranton, Pa. Remember too, FDR who said “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Change can be very good and beneficial, though some things never change (first things), including sin. And that includes yours and mine, and Joe’s and Orange Man’s, too, and yes, even Al’s and Craig’s.
God Bless you, Hal
Eva M. Smorzaniuk MD says
Agree with your comments and have only this to add – this clown show represents the vision that most voters have for the US in the future. They are indeed revelling in mass deportations, elimination of policies that promote tolerance, a total disregard for evidence-based medicine, disregard for our global allies, and acceptance of fear and hate mongering. We will morph into a very different country over the next four years – not the land of opportunity of my parents, but the land of greed, anger, and violence. It’s going to be an interesting ride. Let’s hope we survive it.
Maria W. Grant says
Thanks for writing. I think we must mobilize to fight back.
HR Worthington says
Correct. Well-done indeed. Trump won 77,284,118 votes, or 49.8 percent of the votes cast for president. He now holds the record for the most cumulative popular votes won by any candidate in history, surpassing even the canonized Obama. All the more remarkable a feat considering Trump is an imperialist (nee fascist) that would make Wilhelm II envious. One used to have the option of moving to Canada, but Canada is now in danger of becoming the 51st state and “right-wing” populism is sweeping Europe. So, what to do?
In addition to the non-stop wailing, gnashing of teeth, and the voluminous digital ink spilled over sour-grape recriminations of our lesser brethren’s collective idiocy (and latent bigotry), the only thing now that can possibly save a decent person is to wear sack cloth and ashes until at least the mid-terms. (Available for immediate purchase at Tractor Supply if you hurry. You can also pick up a few chickens to save money on eggs when in season. I am a frequent and loyal patron.)
Regardless, the most important matter is to not endanger our self-worth with anything approaching introspection as to how we arrived here. It is far better to sally forth humorlessly undeterred and unlearned. After all, our preferred leaders are altruistically noble, our policy prescriptions perpetually perfect, our persecutions unquestionably justified, and our judgment of the great American unwashed unequivocally definitive. Any resulting political consequences must be the result of some external evil, not our well-meaning all-knowing benevolence.
How uncritical the most vocal critics are. The only thing I look forward to more than the next few years of vacuous Talbot Spy editorials penned by the retired D.C. consultant-class is the well-reasoned and artfully argued comments that will no doubt follow them.
– H.R.
P.S. I went and found the Miley Cyrus song you referenced. The lyrics and arrangement are simple, but not in a flattering way. She should have stuck with the Hannah Montana bit. I would much prefer Carrie Underwood’s acapella rendition of “America the Beautiful” personally.
Reed Fawell 3 says
“canonized Obama.” Who “canonized Obama? He was a fad. One that has now passed, thank God.
Maria W. Grant says
Thanks for writing. Counting cumulative votes in an election Trump lost is an interesting concept. I guess had Clinton or Obama lost an election and then resurfaced instead of winning two terms in a row they come up short under such a theory. According to my research, Obama got more than 69 million votes. Hillary won the popular vote–66 million to Trump’s almost 63 million. Biden got the most votes ever with more than 81 million compared to Trump’s 74 million. And Harris got almost 74 million compared to Trump’s 77 million. I would be curious who your favored presidential candidate would be. Sorry you didn’t enjoy the Miley Cyrus song.
Barbara Denton says
Your truth is far different than reality, but do not worry. You will not be put in jail like many conservatives were for not agreeing with the lying Biden administration. You will not lose access to your money because you are a liberal. You will not have to worry about your bank opening your records for the FBI because your views are contrary to the current administration. You will not be put on a Federal No Fly list because you are a flaming liberal. You will be allowed to live in freedom which conservatives can now also do. You can march all over Washington, DC with a permit and no one is gong to bother you. When the truth comes out about January 6th you will hide your head in the sand like all the other good liberals will do.
Maria W. Grant says
What?
BARBARA DENTON says
Please let me know just exactly what you do not understand in the above paragraph. I would be happy to explain it to you if it is beyond your comprehension.
susan delean-botkin says
Maria and Eva are so right. I remember when Joe Biden won in 2020. I sat at my desk and cried. I cried for the 4 years my patients lost to increased anxiety and depression. I cried for the fear they developed and the sense they were under constant attack by Trump and his ADD/demented ideas. I cried from relief that Trump was gone. But, He’s back – worse than ever – what’s next from this fascist and his billionaire buddies? It will not be in America’s best interest, or in support of the rule of law and the Constitution. God help us – it is time to take to the streets again – the days of the 60’s and 70’s are upon us.
John Fischer says
American voters are well aware of the off-putting behavior, unpleasant persona and strange bedfellows of Mr. Trump, Ms. Grant. The only way he wins a national election is if they are less fearful of him than of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
Democrats can facetiously thank the “just-not-as-smart-as-we-are” American voters or take a closer look at themselves.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk MD says
To your point are Americans afraid of the Democratic Party that truly exists or this all powerful “progressive wing” that is cited by right wing media as the biggest threat to their existence? Bottom line is that most Democrats and Independents are centrists who want to see the US continue its goal of being a world leader in generosity as well as in might. There’s nothing about President Trumps policies or opinions that makes me feel I can hold my head high as an American citizen.
Wilson Dean says
There is a tendency to look at Trump’s actions since January 20th and just say “here we go again.” Yet things are significantly different now than in his first term and we should be very afraid of the path he is leading us down. There are no guardrails. The military leadership will be quickly transformed to remove any opposition to Trump’s policies (including the military’s role in suppressing domestic protest), the Supreme Court and both houses of Congress are well under his control, and he is rapidly re-establishing white privilege in the US by deporting millions of immigrants and ending DEI. Finally, he has a Vice President who will not hesitate to reject any non-Republican victory in the Presidential election four years from now and send the decision back to the states where Republicans dominate. Unless we all confront and resist his actions now, people may one day look back and say America was a democracy…until it wasn’t.
Maria W. Grant says
Thank you for writing. Complacency is not the answer in this frightening turn of events.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Agree. But the people who put Trump in office do not want democracy because they do not feel
non whites and women should have equal rights. They want hate and the Avatar elected gives that to them in spades, pardon the pun.
BARBARA DENTON says
We are a constitutional republic. President Trump is not deporting millions of immigrants. He is deporting illegal aliens. Immigrants are here because they came the legal and proper way. Illegal aliens are here because they illegally crossed our borders and have been living off our largess for years. Illegal aliens have no right to be here. They are here because they broke our law to enter our Country. This is not their Country and it never will be. They need to go back to their Country of origin and get in line with the people who apply legally to enter our Country. Non government NGO’s and organizations like the Mid Shore Multicultural Center are not legal entities as they have been aiding and abetting illegal aliens since they came into existence. They absolutely should not have 501-C3 status and those who contribute to them need to rethink where they are donating their money.
It is bad enough our schools have produced mediocre or illiterate children. Now we have DEI to make sure these mediocre or illiterate individuals can get jobs they are totally unqualified for in the name of Diversity, Equity or Inclusion. Finally, predicting the outcome of the Presidential election in four years is absolutely absurd. There was a peaceful transition of power in 2021 and in 2025.
Sarah Oppenheimer says
I am very curious what news sources the commenters here are looking at for their information? I hope it’s not MSNBC because I just saw a clip of Joy Reid saying that Trump enforcing our immigration policies is like Hitler planning the holocaust. LOL!!!!