Staff Reports
Joe Biden’s recent legal victory against two former Trump appointees, Sean Spicer and Russell Vought, has opened the door for a potentially chaotic political landscape ahead. The U.S. District Court Judge, Dabney Friedrich, tossed out the lawsuit, reaffirming that presidents have the standing to remove presidential appointees at their discretion. This ruling might feel like a small win for Democrats, but it likely sets the stage for more political fireworks in the future—especially if Trump secures his return to the Oval Office.
Spicer and Vought, seeking to challenge their ousting from the U.S. Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors, claimed their lawsuit aimed to protect Trump’s future powers. Whether these men felt a deep sense of loss over their board positions or saw this as a strategic move to bolster Trump’s executive power for his potential third act in office is anyone’s guess. Spicer hinted that the suit served a dual purpose: not only did they want to contest Biden’s arbitrary firings, but they also aimed to lay the groundwork for Trump to clean house when he returns.
#PresidentBiden The heat is on Trump and Elon Musk, as talk of a 'Forensic Audit' begin to amplify among the 81 million voters for Biden gets excited that Biden does have the power to suspend the 'Constitutional Law' to throughout the 2024 Election given to the office by SCOTUS! pic.twitter.com/mzfB1k7kKX
— VETERAN (@kohd1957) December 16, 2024
Meanwhile, Democrats have fallen into a state of confusion regarding the executive power landscape. Take Senate Democrats, for example. They rushed to nominate David Huitema to lead the Office of Government Ethics, seemingly comforted by the belief that their appointees would remain safe in a potential Trump administration. But with the court ruling affirming presidential removal authority, Biden’s efforts to solidify his legacy could be in vain, ensuring that these newly minted officials might not have the long-term job security they expected.
Despite Biden’s attempts to “Trump-proof” the government with new appointees across various boards, his actions are more akin to building a sandcastle before an impending wave. This shoring up looks great on paper but is unlikely to withstand the tide of Trump’s return. As Biden tries to strengthen his grasp within the federal apparatus, he overlooks the fact that his successors can sweep it all out just as fast.
Biden’s predicament points to a larger struggle awaiting Trump if he regains the presidency. With a divided Republican party partially embroiled in infighting, the once-shaky support Trump relied on could diminish even further. Yet the true test will be the willingness of those like Mitch McConnell, who indicated he would oppose Trump on specific issues. While Democrats may present obstacles, their formidable foes could very well be sitting behind Republican desks in Congress.
As Trump and his supporters brace for another round in the political arena, it will be crucial for them to monitor who stands with him and who remains sidelined. The American voter’s mandate is loud and clear: they want action on immigration, the economy, and a principled stance on foreign policy, free from the handcuffs of establishment figures. The outcome of this political chess game will hinge on whether these so-called Republican leaders choose to side with voters or continue their decades-long dance of power preservation. With the stakes higher than ever, voters must be prepared to fire those who ignore the message sent by their ballots.
