By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper
So far we have seen President Elect Donald Trump nominate a host of unqualified people for key positions in an effort to ensure this time that he has full control of government from day one. We have also seen some push back and we can expect more as Mr. Trump learns that being king is a lot more difficult than being President.
Before we go into collective fear mode from anticipating Project 2025 and the dismantling of our democracy, let us remember that we the people remain the ultimate safeguard to keeping our system of government with its checks and balances. First, beyond Cabinet Appointments, we have a Civil Service Merit System with built in rights and appeals for employees covered under this Act. The Court challenges that will come with such an effort to remove so many people will be overwhelming to the legal system even before the Supreme Court is reached. To dismantle programs and departments will require public notice of such proposed changes with a 45 day comment period. Every American has a right to write their comments about any and all proposed changes and there is a required period for review of such comments.
Next, the Executive Orders that the President will sign must be published in the Federal Register. This means that Trump, who would be King, still does not have freedom to act without transparency. We the people must pay attention to all Executive Orders that are issued and be prepared to challenge where necessary as an act of not giving up control of our lives and our government.
Third, we must remember why there is such a rush to accomplish all these things during the first 100 days. While Trump won the Electoral College Vote, a review of the recent election will reveal that not every Republican running for office got elected along with Donald Trump. We must make sure that his control of the House of Representatives ends with the Mid-Term Elections in 24 months.
We must not react in fear to such ideas as abolishing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Those elements were never about Black People but rather keeping our struggle diluted with other ethnic causes so as to weaken our focus. We the people, and We as Black People, still have the ability to neutralize “King Trump” and his plans to rule America. We have a Constitution to stand on that can be only as strong as our support of it. We have the collective ability to put pressure on those who would bow to Trump and kiss the ring rather than stand up as our forefathers did before us, against even greater odds. Ultimately, its not what happens to us as much as it is how we react and what we do next. Where do you stand?
