I have had to sit quietly over the last few days to try to figure out why, after years of crass, over the top, lunatic fringe comments and social media posts by our president, I was pushed close to the edge when he told a female reporter onboard Air Force One to be quiet and called her “piggy.”
The professional in question is Catherine Lucey, a Bloomberg White House correspondent who has also covered the White House for The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press.
As a Republican I have been saddened by the demise of our party. Unfortunately, I have not been surprised. When we had the opportunity to bring a capable, sane nominee forward in 2024 we did not.
The Republican majority in Congress has happily handed over its responsibilities to the Executive Branch, seemingly without even a backwards glance to make sure everything was going well for their constituents.
Key positions in this administration were easily confirmed; people were appointed that have no business formulating public policy.
The term separation of powers has become a quaint concept from a forgotten Constitution.
As a Christian, I am grieving. Watching a faith I love being appropriated to further power and allegiance to a political movement that is the exact opposite of what the gospel preaches is heart wrenching.
Each time “leaders” of the American Church are given evidence of President Trump’s complete lack of morals or ethics, they shrug it off, justify it, explain it away, or throw out “whataboutism” arguments.
The point their fingers at others, as if that gives them an excuse for their misguided support. We are watching idolatry at its finest. If the church continues down this path, we will eventually lose what we have left of our witness of Jesus’ love, kindness, and grace.
Trump’s views on women became crystal clear when the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released in 2016. In addition to bragging about trying to seduce a married woman, he admitted his lack of self-control by stating that he could kiss or grab a woman by her genitals without worry, because as a star, “You can do anything.”
There hasn’t been much positive movement since.
I think the reason this last remark finally broke me, is that it is becoming more apparent that his behavior is now accepted as normal.
Let me be clear, it is not normal for the President of the United States to point his finger at a reporter, tell her to be quiet, and call her “piggy.”
There should have been immediate blowback from every reporter on that plane and every member of Congress, especially the female Republican members.
But what we got is a White House Press Secretary calling his remarks, “frank, open, and honest,” hoping that if the lies are repeated enough, we will all decide that the emperor is in fact not naked after all.
Trump’s incoherent ramblings and twisting of facts so that there appears to be no reality or actual truth to land on has become disorienting. The easy fallback comment of, “Oh that’s just how Trump is, don’t worry,” is dangerous.
Sharon Lebell wrote, “There is freedom when truth and morals don’t matter, it allows you to say or do anything to achieve your goals. But that puts everyone else around you in bondage, because it allows you to justify anything you do… good or evil.” And that is exactly what we are seeing now with the Trump administration.
What we have right now, is not normal. It is nowhere near our best. It is beneath us. It can never become acceptable.
Carolyn Cavecche is former CEO and president of the Orange County Taxpayers Association and the former mayor of the city of Orange.