The 2024 elections are over, save for inexplicable counting of ballots that continues in California and the very explicable attempts to subvert law in Pennsylvania to help a defeated Democratic Senator retain his seat. While those who only cover politics as a continual campaign horse race will immediately turn their attention to 2026 and 2028, most of us should turn our political focus to that of governing.

President elect Trump is assembling his cabinet.  Some of his nominations are a bit unconventional, if we wish to choose a charitable term.  At least one – that of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for Attorney General - appears dead on arrival, but no one is really sure what rules govern outcomes in Washington D.C. anymore.  That said, enough Republican senators understand that they’ll be on a ballot again long after President Trump has finished his final term that one should not expect their role of advice and consent to morph into a blank check.

One could even argue if the members of the official cabinet are really that important with respect to the operation of the Executive Branch.  President Biden had gone most of this year without convening his cabinet prior to his exiting his campaign for re-election.  His Secretary of Defense was incapacitated in the hospital for a while without even notifying the White House – while his second in command was on vacation.

The nominations do send strong signals about the intention to govern – and how a second Trump presidency will be executed.  It is clear at this point no one should be comfortable in their status quo.  It also appears we’re not going to have an extension of the first Trump term.

The first nominations made by President Trump were for his national security team. Our enemies and our allies need to be prepared for a very different relationship going forward.

President Trump has long since championed an “America First” strategy.  After four years of “America is your doormat” foreign policy, voters have strongly signaled they are ready for change.  

This isn’t a team that is isolationist, though critics will attempt to paint them as such to discredit them and their tough-love policies.  This is a team that understands the world is a dangerous place, and that our enemies and our allies have used pleasantries and platitudes to get American to strengthen them while weakening ourselves.  They understand that the often cited “will of the international community” is diplomatic speak for countering American strength.

At the top of these nominations is Senator Marco Rubio.  Senator Rubio was once an opponent of President Trump, but as a son of Cuban immigrants is now representative of his policies that draw a great distinction between legal immigration and those who thwart our laws to come here and continue to do so once taking advantage of what American taxpayers have to offer.

Rubio is a fierce critic of China’s leadership and a staunch defender of Israel.  We will no longer pretend to support Israel’s efforts to defend itself while constantly aiding and abetting Iran’s proxies by prolonging ceasefire talks.  While the path with Russia and Ukraine is less clear, we can assume we will not continue to send unlimited billions in aid and equipment to Ukraine but then tell them they can’t use these assets to actually win their war. 

The United Nations is also in for a reckoning.  New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik will represent the United States at the UN.  You can expect a lot of questions regarding various UN affiliated organization’s employees participating in terroristic activities in Gaza and Lebanon.  This should and likely will be extended to various countries that sit on the UN Human Rights Council.

Given that Russia is a member with veto power over everything, and has faced no consequences for its clearly illegal invasion into Ukraine, America’s continued participation in and funding of the United Nations needs to be questioned.  Does the UN serve the purpose it was founded for, or has it been coopted by corrupt governments in order to thwart the spread of Western democracy?  Until we can answer that question clearly and succinctly in the affirmative, our funds and diplomatic efforts should be focused elsewhere.

There are many more appointments to come and policies that will be addressed.  The overriding posture towards all of this between now and January – and then beyond as the new team begins to govern – is this:  The status quo is done. 

Change is coming. Every new proposal needs to be viewed on its merit.  Some will be good. Some will need re-thinking. Some will likely need to be discarded. 

Too many will be critical of the changes because they fear change or wish to protect things as they are.  These voices should be ignored.

All nominees and follow on proposal need to be judged not on the changes they will impose, but on a simpler test.  Will this make America stronger?  That, in the end, is the answer that matters.