Gordon L. Weil
President Trump
is the new captain of what Longfellow called the Ship of State. He tries to turn the federal government
around completely – and quickly.
Captain Trump’s
moves to reverse course are both bold and dangerous, creating tests that the
captain of any huge vessel might encounter by acting abruptly to completely
change direction. The ship itself could
be endangered.
Here’s a few
basics about turning a supertanker, the largest vessel afloat, though it is a
lot smaller than the U.S. government.
Normally, the
ship slows and swings in an arc to reverse direction. That’s made more difficult with an entirely
new crew. The captain doesn’t steer the
ship; the person at the helm does, and they may be given a free hand in how the
course change is executed. They should
turn carefully or they could damage the rudder, which is used to steer the
ship.
In making the
maneuver, the ship is supposed to follow the rules for navigation. That keeps the ship and other vessels safe. A careful turn also allows people on board to
adjust.
That’s how it
is supposed to work at sea. How is
turning the country around being managed by Captain Trump?
Trump changes
directions fast, and his commands are causing some immediate problems. He does not want the government to slow down,
so the U-turn is both abrupt and potentially dangerous.
The shipowners’
representative, the U.S. Congress, worries about the sudden course change, but
Trump has begun operating the government in ways that may violate laws passed by
Congress. He risks being held to account
by it at some point, which may explain why he wants to execute the change in
direction as quickly as possible, while Congress is muddled.
He has placed
Elon Musk at the helm, giving him broad authority over changing the direction
of government. The new crew, many with little government knowledge, is recruited
based on their loyalty to Trump. Musk runs
his own businesses as he wishes, but he lacks experience with the more complex federal
government or following congressional requirements.
Musk has swung
the helm so hard that some people have been tossed overboard, maybe his
intention. The person who operated the
multi-trillion-dollar federal payment system independent of politics is such a
casualty. Entire executive agencies are
being pushed overboard, breaking through congressional lifelines. Musk’s private-sector crew acts without
restraint.
Meanwhile,
there’s turmoil on board. Commands from
the White House may miss operating realities and their full effect. Trump ordered a halt to much federal spending
without realizing that he had gone even beyond his own intentions. When he issued the order, the ship shuddered.
He rescinded
his command, but the defunding may not have stopped. A federal judge questioned whether the
decision to cut spending is still in effect, even if the order has been
recalled. After all, this captain does
not like to change his mind.
Not only does
his swift course change violate international rules and U.S. treaties, but it
can harm other countries. Agreements
exist to prevent conflicts, but the new American crew seems to dismiss treaties.
Trump even changed the name of a major international waterway, calling it the “Gulf
of America” without first talking with other nations using it.
Not yet having
completed the change of course, Trump’s ship began lobbing missiles in the form
of tariff threats at neighboring, traditionally friendly vessels. He attacks Canada and Mexico and threatens
Europe. Inevitably, they would
retaliate, while swerving away from the U.S., after a dangerous bluff that may cost
America loyal allies.
Captain Trump
not only wants to change the course of the U.S. government, but he wants to
remodel the country itself. Though his
navigation correction may be short-sighted, he may also have long-range
intentions for countries ranging from Panama to Denmark. He has the absurd and insulting idea that
Canada, a world player, can be reduced to becoming the 51st state.
Just as was
believed when the U.S. isolated itself after World War I, Trump believes that
America’s power can control events worldwide.
Elected under the banner of “America First,” his message is translating into
“America Most” at the expense of others. He deploys tariffs, but doesn’t rule out the
use of force.
Just as before,
this policy ignores the ability of other countries to change course, not always
for the best. His policy may turn into “America
Alone” and the consequences are unknown.
The aftermath of the original “America First” was Pearl Harbor and World
War II.
Even without planned
globalism, nations have become interlinked over the last 80 years. No matter Trump’s intentions, no single
country can pull all others along in its wake.
But there’s
even more at risk than overly aggressive Trump-Musk navigation. This rapid
course correction could damage the rudder – the American political system.
