1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Competence. Credibility. Confidence in America. These are three things that have become extinct over the last 3 months. “In everything we do, my administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success.” “‘Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if I had been president. I will take care of this the first day.” “I will stop the war in Gaza.” “I will bring down prices the first day.” Not happening. But we did get a bunch of other stuff. Decimation of our civil service. Cancellation of so many programs, agencies, funding, etc that it will be years before the full impact is assessed. We got lots of people put on airplanes and shipped off. We got assaults on our voting rights to a degree not seen ever. We got assaults on free speech. Assaults on the press, universities, law firms, individuals, and any other entity that has offended the dear leader. We got incompetent cabinet nominees now overseeing vital agencies. Hegseth and RFK anyone? And tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. We’ll see who blinks first. Although the master dealmaker has pretty much shown the world how great his negotiating skills are. Disdain for expertise and experience led us here. GOP enabling led us here. Trump’s underlying message was that he is a great fixer. So far we’ve only seen staggering incompetence. When does the brilliance begin? “You have been watching the greatest economic master strategy from an American President in history.” Stephen Miller X post. Ego stroking has replaced competence. We are all suffering from second-hand embarrassment reading stuff like this. The Trump administration is turning us into a butt for the world’s disdain. And jokes. And pity. No amount of slavish language will change that.