By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.
Being in the fourth quarter of my life has given me a front row seat to many signature events in the United States of America. They have left me happy, sad, amazed and dumbfounded. Lately, by recent events that have occurred, I have been left mostly dumbfounded. Maybe that’s my current feeling because of the uncertainty of the direction of our country. We are at a pivotal time in our nation. We can’t play around as if we are in the backyard playing marbles. These are serious times that call for serious people making serious decisions.
Like you, I am watching closely as the new president is beginning to make cabinet nominations and recommendations. Some of his nominees are people who he has had differences with during the past two campaigns. Did they break up just to make up? One thing we are finding out is that he can berate and belittle an opponent in the public square, and they will come running back to him. Take for example, Ted Cruz, Republican Senator of Texas. The former president talked about Cruz and his family like they were junkyard dogs. Now, Cruz is back in the kennel of kindness.
Where is the integrity and treating people the way you want to be treated? How about Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia and his history with Mr. Trump which has been questionable and problematic. Now they are peachy keen.
Just last week, Mr. Trump nominated Republican Senator Marco Rubio to be secretary of state. At one point eight years ago, Mr. Rubio called Trump a con man. That was then however this is a new day. In a recent statement, Mr. Trump called Rubio a highly respected leader and a very powerful voice for freedom who will be a strong advocate for our nation.
Some Democrats agree. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona said, “I’ve got a good relationship with Marco, and I think Marco is very capable.” Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania called Rubio a strong choice and that he looks forward to voting for his confirmation. Senator Rubio will be the first Hispanic American to serve as secretary of state.
We will see how he orchestrates and coordinates our foreign policy. Critics believe he will not be an extreme decision-maker. I hope they are right.
While Senator Marco Rubio has received some positive reviews, the same can’t be said about Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. Representative Gaetz of Florida has a dark side that he doesn’t want to come to light. It is alleged he was involved in some highly inappropriate activities. Mr. Gaetz has denied it, and Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana doesn’t want anyone to know about it and doesn’t want to release the Ethics Committee’s files.
He has received pushback from members of his own party regarding his selection as attorney general. Some believe that coverups and falsehoods will be his calling card if he is selected.
Another of the new president’s possible appointments, Pete Hegseth is also under fire for his misconduct. He has been nominated for secretary of defense.
He is an armed services veteran and is currently a commentator for Fox News. Mr. Trump in a press release said that Mr. Hegseth will make America safe and great again.
On the other side, Democratic Representative Jason Crow of Colorado said, “The Secretary of Defense makes life and death decisions daily that impact over 2 million troops around the globe. This is not an entry-level job for a TV commentator.”
Two of his vocal supporters, Kash Patel who has been linked to the top FBI position and Tulsi Gabbard who has been linked to the top intelligence job have not been formally offered yet. Where are Nikki Haley and Tim Scott in the political mix of Mr. Trump’s world?
In the meantime, we the people will pay close attention to these positions of power. 19th-century writer, Lord Acton said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
