Key Concepts:
- President Trump's grievances (people and things)
- Joe Biden as a frequent target
- Autopen usage and controversy
- Barack Obama and alleged politicized intelligence
- Department of Justice firings
- Media bias and lawsuits
- Paper straws and windmills as grievances
President Trump's List of Grievances
The discussion centers on President Trump's extensive list of grievances, encompassing individuals, institutions, and even specific items. This list includes:
- People: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, "Crooked Hillary," James Comey, James Clapper, Susan Rice, Jimmy Kimmel, and others.
- Things: Windmills, plastic straws, autopens, and even Coca-Cola.
- Institutions: Law firms, universities, the media, and the Department of Justice.
Joe Biden as a Primary Target
Joe Biden is a frequent target of President Trump's criticism.
- Statistics: In his first 50 days in office, Trump mentioned Biden 316 times, according to The New York Times. Time magazine found "Biden" to be the fifth most frequently used word in Trump's public remarks during his first 100 days, surpassing even "border."
- Contrast with Biden's Approach: Unlike Trump, Biden rarely mentioned Trump by name during his presidency, often referring to him as "the former guy" or "the last administration."
- Executive Order: Trump signed an executive order calling for an investigation into Biden's alleged illegal use of the autopen.
The Autopen Controversy
The use of the autopen, a machine that automatically signs documents, is a point of contention.
- Common Practice: The autopen has been used by many presidents, including Obama and Trump himself.
- Trump's Stance: Trump often emphasizes "no autopen here" when signing documents, particularly executive orders.
- Legal Standing: A 2005 Department of Justice statement under President George W. Bush stated that the president does not need to physically sign a bill for it to become law.
- Pardons: Trump has questioned the validity of pardons signed by Biden using an autopen.
- Digital Signatures: The National Archives and Federal Register use digital images of presidents' signatures, which can create the illusion that all documents are signed identically online.
Barack Obama and Allegations of Politicized Intelligence
Trump has renewed his focus on Barack Obama, accusing his administration of manufacturing politicized intelligence.
- Tulsi Gabbard's Claims: Tulsi Gabbard, former director of national intelligence, alleged that the Obama administration, including Obama himself, created intelligence to suggest Russian interference in the 2016 election to help Trump.
- Treason Accusation: Trump has even suggested that Obama should be investigated for treason.
- Marco Rubio's Role: Marco Rubio, who was then a senator, led the committee that investigated the allegations of Russian meddling and found "irrefutable evidence" of it.
Actions Against the Department of Justice
Trump has taken action against the Department of Justice, firing numerous attorneys and prosecutors.
- Firings: Between 50 and 100 major attorneys and prosecutors have been let go.
- Targets: Those fired include individuals who worked on criminal cases against Trump or investigated the January 6th Capitol assault.
- White House Perspective: The White House views these actions as fulfilling campaign promises.
Media Grievances and Actions
Trump has a long-standing grievance against the media, which has intensified in his current term.
- Caroline Leavitt's Briefings: Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt often presents headlines deemed objectionable during briefings.
- Threats and Repercussions: There is an unspoken threat that reporting deemed objectionable by the White House will have repercussions.
- Wall Street Journal Incident: The Wall Street Journal was removed from Air Force One for a trip to Scotland.
- Framed Court Order: A framed copy of a court order allowing the barring of the Associated Press from the press pool is displayed outside the briefing room.
- Paramount Settlement: Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, settled a lawsuit for $16 million over an edited video clip of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Stephen Colbert's Show: There is speculation that Stephen Colbert's show was canceled due to his criticism of his parent company's decision to settle the lawsuit.
Other Notable Grievances
- Paper Straws: Trump is deeply offended by paper straws.
- Windmills: Trump claims windmills are making whales "go loco" and has a long-standing grievance related to windmills obstructing the view from his property in Scotland.
Changes in Media Access and Questioning
- Control Over Press Pool: The White House has taken back control over the rotation of the press pool, leading to friendlier questions being asked of the president.
- Focus on New Media: The White House initially engaged with smaller podcasts but has since realized the importance of legacy media for disseminating the president's message.
Conclusion
President Trump's grievances are a central theme of his political approach, influencing his actions and rhetoric. These grievances range from specific individuals like Joe Biden and Barack Obama to broader targets like the media and the Department of Justice. The administration's actions, including firings, lawsuits, and media restrictions, reflect a concerted effort to address these grievances and fulfill campaign promises. While some grievances are long-standing, the current administration appears more disciplined and determined to act on them compared to Trump's first term.
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