By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
Chicago Defender
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
https://chicagodefender.com/
As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his cabinet with the likes of Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth, it’s clear this administration isn’t a typical parade of statesmen. Nope, it’s an army of loyalists—a lineup designed to turn America’s executive team into a loyalty test, not a meritocracy.
And let’s not kid ourselves: if you’re a minority or belong to any marginalized community, this is more of a fire alarm than a “fresh start.”
At best, these picks feel like someone went looking for ideological street fighters, not experts. And sure, you might want team players on a pickup basketball team, but this is the most powerful government in the world.
Remember when qualifications mattered? Those days are gone, my friends. Now, it’s a club of handpicked devotees whose goals seem clear: dismantle, disrupt and divide any notion of a progressive America.
America faces a profound question in the Trump era.
In a political landscape where white grievance politics have found a cozy spot in the mainstream, Trump’s administration has effectively branded itself as the anti-establishment retribution regime. But here’s the trick: by painting himself as a revolutionary outsider, Trump has made millions believe he’s fighting for “the little guy.” Instead, he’s pulling the levers of a machine designed to bolster the powerful few—often white, often male, often deeply nostalgic for an America where Jim Crow was the law.
And let’s talk about suburban white women, who helped push Trump across the finish line. Exit polls show that 53% of white women voted for him, knowingly casting a vote that would set back decades of hard-won rights. Remember, this isn’t a comment on their democratic right to vote as they choose. It’s a reminder that choices come with consequences.
For example, with Trump’s new pick for Secretary of Defense—a man who openly believes that women “complicate” military combat—many of the very voters who sought a “strong leader” may soon find themselves left out of the very strength they hoped to restore.
So, here’s where we are.
The Republican Party—yes, the Grand Old Party, supposedly home to the “real” American values—is the only force that could put brakes on this runaway populism. They control Congress. They are the last line of defense against a power-hungry executive ready to make sweeping changes.
But will they?
This is their “put up or shut up” moment. The question is whether they’ll rein in a president whose governing philosophy could be summarized as “divide and conquer.”
Now, don’t be surprised when Trump’s media machine spins every objection to his cabinet as “liberal hysteria.” And the irony is rich, because you can bet that if the roles were reversed, with a Democratic administration nominating, say, Rachel Maddow for Secretary of Defense, Fox News would be sounding the alarm. Instead, they’re busy applauding every unqualified nomination Trump rolls out, as if waving pom-poms for populism’s second act.
At the end of the day, this is identity politics on steroids—designed not to unify, but to reinforce barriers. And here’s the bitter pill: if the Republican Party doesn’t step up to the plate, then four years from now, our freedoms, our military, and our economy will likely be weaker.
This is a warning not from the left, but to Republicans themselves.
If you care about the future of the American experiment, it’s time to act, or else be remembered as the party that watched the country burn for the sake of loyalty.
James Bridgeforth enjoys writing as a political columnist who is a passionate advocate for justice and equality whose academic journey reflects a profound commitment to these ideals. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Catawba College, Bridgeforth began his quest to understand and address systemic inequalities. He furthered his expertise with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Beyond his impressive academic credentials, Bridgeforth is deeply involved in organizations dedicated to empowerment and community service, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. His columns provide insightful commentary on equal opportunity, social justice, economic equity, and higher education, driven by a sincere desire to amplify voices and champion the causes of those often marginalized.
Through his writing, Bridgeforth brings a blend of scholarly rigor and heartfelt advocacy, aiming to inspire change and foster a more just society for all.
