To the Editor:

I promised myself I would stand back from the Trump II administration to see what unfolded. I will step over discussion of Greenland, Panama, Canada, the proposed displacement of Palestinians and theft of Gaza to build the “Middle East Riviera,” (a US [Trump]-owned vacation spot first proposed a year ago by Jared Kushner), or that your personal information, including financial data, has been entrusted by Trump to an unelected, unvetted, unethical, and unscrupulously self-interested data/power addict who bought himself a presidency, the looming economic crisis, assorted unconstitutional executive decisions, and Trump’s proposed sell-out of Ukraine to Russia.

I write to tell you, Martin, that I am sorry you rejected my entreaties to acquaint yourself with P2025 sometime back. It’s right on target. Its co-author, Russell Vought, has been confirmed as OMB Director and helped to prepare draft executive orders for Trump II, though you may recall that Trump had denied any knowledge of it. Prepare to watch Trump ignore Congress and even the Courts to implement his P2025 objective of remaking government so that it is no longer responsible to the electorate, but solely to the Unitary Executive and his allegiances.

On day one, Trump froze federal aid programs for 90 days, an impoundment of funds Congress had already appropriated. This is a usurpation of the congressional “power of the purse” and is not within a president’s constitutional authority. Several courts have already enjoined the action. “Shock and Awe” is intended to completely disorient people who believe their government would never betray them.

But last weekend VP Vance and other MAGA congressionals insisted that “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power” (not to be confused with the newly-hatched presidential immunity) and should not determine the constitutionality of the president’s handing the nation’s Treasury management to his largest campaign donor, or weigh in on Trump’s attempt to revise the 14th Amendment by executive order. The Republican Congress shows no sign of claiming its duty to “advise and consent,” insisting instead on self-castrating its own congressional power. Trump’s oligarch Cabinet was chosen to never challenge him. That leaves The People.

What will happen when Trumpian policies hit the streets and P2025 unfolds at the granular level? When, without immigrants, lettuce will be $10/head and milk $8/quart? When there are major cuts to our neighbors’ SNAP and WIC? When the CDC and WHO no longer keep data or furnish information about the rising number of horrific diseases and potential cures? When ACA health insurance is decimated? Or when it becomes clear that the educational needs of special students are inessential to “making America great again’? Who will excuse it when grandma’s SSA check and Medicare are reduced so that millionaires can get the renewed Trump tax cut?

Kelly Scoles,

Fillmore, Ca