Chaos 2.0

Trump's term begins on Monday, and like many of you who are reading this, I am concerned with what the next four years will bring. But if the past is prologue, then we all have an idea of how this is going to go.

Trump will consistently speak about his "mandate" despite the fact it was the closest election since 2000, and the Republicans will parrot this talking point despite Johnson having the slimmest House majority since the Great Depression and being the weakest Speaker in modern history.

Chaos reigned supreme during his first term, and it won't be any different this time around. But that may be a good thing, and here's why.

Trump's coalition of oligarchs, MAGA faithful, and disillusioned democrats is not a winning one. The promises he made to the oligarchs go against what the MAGA faithful wish for and expect, and the promises the GOP made to THEIR voters go against what the majority of Americans want to see from their government. Chaos will ensue.

The first legislative test for Trump and the GOP will likely come in March when they need to fund the government. Trump's priorities will not be MAGA's, Elon's priorities will not be MAGA's, and "purple" district Republicans' priorities won't be MAGA's, Trump's, or Elon's. Chaos will ensue.

Trump's promise of deporting 10 million would be costly economically, at a micro and macro level. There will likely be a flood of executive orders that will be challenged in court. Meanwhile, the Republicans would need to find a way to fund Trump's deportation plans while Elon tries to cut services and programs. Chaos will ensue.

When Speaker Johnson needs Democrats to fund the government, chaos will ensue.

Elon's plan to make government more efficient will pit Republicans against Republicans, MAGA against Elon, and Trump against Democrats. Chaos will ensue.

Chaos in D.C. is never good for us, but its effect will slow down Trump's agenda. We already know he won't be able to end the war in Ukraine, cut energy costs by 50%, or bring down the cost of groceries, but the MAGA faithful will expect this, and when he doesn't deliver on those promises, they will become disillusioned.

All that Trump, Elon, and the GOP promised must be delivered in 22 months because Democrats are likely to win the House majority in 2026.

It is this small legislative window that will save us. Trump will not be able to deliver on all his campaign promises. Musk will not have the time to cut the 2 trillion he promised. Trump will not have the funding to carry out his deportation plans, and he won't have the votes to fund the government without bipartisan support. "Purple" district legislators won't risk their re-election chances by agreeing to Trump's most extreme policy positions.

It'll be dysfunctional and chaotic for the next 22 months. They'll be distracted by their egos and personal ambitions, which will be on full display for all to see.

And the oligarchs will flee Trump in 2026 when Democrats win back the House. They won't remain in D.C. with a Democrat House majority. The last thing they want is a House investigation on what they've done in the past 2 years.

If chaos is what stops the Trump agenda, then let chaos reign supreme.