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In the early months of President Trump’s return to office, Republican leaders have dismissed Democratic criticism as childish or fearful. Yet, their own actions resemble the very playground antics they mock.

On trade

The president has announced and reversed a dizzying array of tariffs (on allies and rivals alike), often within days or even hours. These abrupt shifts have spooked markets and fueled inflation fears for American families. Policy shouldn’t feel like a game of Red Light, Green Light leaving businesses and workers unsure of what comes next.

On power and boundaries

The administration treats executive power and the law like recess rules; meant to be tested, bent or ignored. When courts issue rulings, the president doesn’t like, the response is often to delay, deflect or ignore them. The law, in many cases, is being broken openly, brazenly and repeatedly by this administration.

When legal boundaries aren’t explicit, the game changes to, “I’m not touching you” (hovering just outside clear violations, poking the system to see what it can get away with). Even when the law is clear, it looks for loopholes or leans on friendly justices to redefine terms and precedent. It’s a strategy that may pass legal muster on paper, but chips away at the integrity of our constitutional system.

In any game like that, someone eventually slips. But when the stakes are the Constitution (not a playground wall), those slips can leave lasting damage. Asked whether due-process rights apply to everyone in the U.S., the president said, “I don’t know.” That answer isn’t childish, it betrays the oath he swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

On economic fantasies

Perhaps the most surreal example of this Constitution-flouting governance style is the $TRUMP meme coin. In its first two weeks, it generated nearly $100 million in trading volume (drawing a consumer watchdog complaint over potential violations of federal gift laws). Then there’s the multi-million-dollar jet Qatar has offered for presidential travel (no conflict-of-interest or security concerns there). Meanwhile, everyday Americans still face high prices and stagnant wages while the administration distracts the media with calls for a $90 million military parade for his birthday and weird obsession with girls’ toys.

It’s like a never-ending game of Red Rover, only responsibility is never called over. The rules switch mid-game, and Congress freezes in place. Fear of primary challengers keeps them stuck on red light and left wondering what game they’re playing.

We need adults in the room, and while Democrats haven’t always executed or communicated their policies to the American public in the most resonant way, they’ve generally shown a greater willingness to govern with forethought (negotiating budgets, respecting institutions, and working to avoid chaos). Republicans who still believe in public service must help lead this country with respect for the Constitution, not passive submission to a playground bully who is sucking the oxygen out of our democracy.

Joe Staloch
Albert Lea