Friend,
Welcome to our weekly “Trumptastrophe” email series, that will serve to remind us all of the destructive policies, decisions, and actions we encountered during the Trump presidency and the threats that he and others in the MAGA movement still pose – and to keep those moments clear in our memory as we fight to defeat Republican extremists during the upcoming elections.
This week’s recap focuses on the inability of MAGA Republicans to govern in moments of urgency, choosing instead to exploit the situation and hold the nation hostage unless their demands are met:
In October 2020, White House and congressional leaders were involved in intense negotiations over an economic bill that experts said was necessary for a sustained recovery from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, on Oct. 6, Trump announced via a series of tweets that he was shutting down negotiations until after the election, a move that stunned lawmakers from both political parties.
Then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed Trump’s announcement, stating, “Clearly, the White House is in complete disarray.” Financial markets reacted, too, with Forbes reporting that stocks “took a dive” after Trump’s tweets.
“The decision to pull the plug on the talks is a major blow to Americans still struggling with the fallout from the once-in-a century pandemic and endangers an economic recovery that for months was driven by the initial $2.2 trillion stimulus passed by Congress in the spring,” CNN reported.
Just as suddenly, and just two days after he torpedoed the talks, Trump announced on Fox News that they were back on.
The White House event at which Barrett’s nomination was announced became notorious for spreading the COVID-19 virus among attendees, but the harm caused by her nomination and confirmation will certainly be broader and longer lasting.
Here’s how this flashback reminds us of the ongoing threat of Trump and Trumpism:
- There’s no sign that Trump’s impulse control has gotten any better since he grudgingly left office. In fact, his recent attacks on prosecutors and judges suggest that given another term as president he would wield power even more recklessly.
- The MAGA-led coup against deposed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the chaos unfolding in the House of Representatives weeks before crucial budget deadlines remind us that we need leaders who believe in government and governing. Remember this: Trump talked about but never delivered a plan to address America’s crumbling infrastructure; President Biden signed a historic infrastructure investment bill in his first year in office.
- Trump’s malignant MAGA movement raised up politicians who mirror their hero’s grandstanding narcissism, willingness to spread lies and conspiracy theories, and disdain for the rule of law. They appear less interested in Americans’ wellbeing than in posturing for the MAGA base, which often means attacking Republicans who work with Democrats to actually accomplish things as traitorous RINOs. Rep. Matt Gaetz, leader of the far-right chaos caucus in the House, says Trump has been encouraging his efforts. The New York Times revealed that former Trump aide Steve Bannon has been scheming with Gaetz to drag the party further to the right.
- Trump’s pettiness and cruelty have spread like an infection within the Republican Party. One of the first actions taken by the placeholder speaker pro tem was to demand that former speaker Nancy Pelosi clear out her Capitol office, on one day’s notice, while she was in California for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s funeral.
These are just some of the reasons we need YOU in this fight. So, find your favorite way to unwind after reading through our brief recollection of “this week in the Trump presidency,” and then make a plan for how you will fight back THIS week, this MONTH, this election cycle.
Thanks for all that you do to defeat Republican extremism.
– People For the American Way
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