I’ve been thinking a lot about the word "power" lately. I think it started when DT began nominating so many people for his cabinet and top posts who have histories of sexual assault and other abuses of power. It’s a reccuring theme.
Sexual assault (DT has 13 accusations in this arena; one where he was convicted) is not about sex; it’s about dominance. It’s about asserting control over another person’s autonomy and humanity. It’s about power. When men like Trump—and those he elevates—are given power, they carry this same frightening dominance into the offices and agencies they oversee. They treat governance as they do their personal lives: with a sense of entitlement, a disregard for boundaries, and a willingness to exploit others for their own gain.
The distribution of my power is one of the most precious commodities I possess. It’s a trust I extend to others, relinquishing control over parts of my life in the hope that those I empower will act in my best interests. As I’ve matured, I stopped giving it away often. I give it to my daughter, a few friends, some business associates—but I am filled with regret about how easily I used my vote without true thought about the enormity of the power I was giving people. Senators, who for decades have not done their jobs in protecting me and those I love? I keep voting for them? Should we start with health insurance? Where were you, Chuck Schumer? Why have I kept giving power to those who are not using it properly?
Approximately 74 million sisters and brothers of my country-persons voted to give DT power over so many aspects of our future that it’s mind-numbing. And when interviewed about why they cast their ballot that way, it was about money, or the economy, or the price of milk (which was smoke and mirrors anyway; places like McDonald’s and grocery chains raised their prices on DT’s behalf).
So you gave up power over every single aspect of our future for a carton of milk? Or a few percentage points on our net worth? Character, which is what you need to have to assure me you won’t abuse the power I’m giving you, wasn’t on the list of voting decision makers. Wow. We so have this wrong.
Back to these awful humans coming up for confirmation. Please remember, this isn’t just about isolated incidents or personal failings. The histories of these men who are going to run our country reveal a pattern—a sickness embedded in their view of power and its purpose. It’s not that their qualifications somehow outweigh their histories of abuse; it’s that those histories are the very reason they are chosen. Trump doesn’t merely overlook these abuses—he sees them as assets. To him, the capacity to dominate and demean is a feature, not a bug. It’s the way for him to stay in power.
Let’s look at the press, which for me is becoming a theme in what needs to change for us to survive. The press, by and large, has failed to treat this issue with the gravity it deserves. Instead of drawing clear lines between personal abuse and public abuse of power, they treat allegations as distractions or minor scandals. We see words like “embattled” or “controversial” used to describe these individuals—euphemisms that mask the raw truth in front of us.
Let me be clear one more time: when a man has a history of abusing power in his personal life, he will abuse power in public office. When the people surrounding Trump are those who degrade and assault others, they will bring that same sick dominance into every policy decision they make.
This is about more than qualifications. (And for the record, they do not have qualifications for the positions they will hold.) It’s about character. It’s about the profound connection between how these men have treated the people closest to them and how they will treat the rest of us. It’s about a culture of power that prioritizes dominance over service, abuse over justice, and cruelty over compassion.
So I ask: why aren’t we talking about this more? Focus on power and character when choosing who we give our power to. Why aren’t we demanding better? Our power is precious. We should be giving it to those who will use it to uplift others, not to those who have shown time and time again that they see power as a weapon to wield against the vulnerable.
The press has a responsibility to call this out—not with gentle euphemisms or vague descriptions, but with the truth. These men aren’t just flawed—they are dangerous. And every time we fail to confront this reality, we are complicit in their rise. And we relinquish yet another grain of our power that is already dwindling.
Start commenting about the power part of these candidates. Start telling the press the language they use must be accurate. Tell them you will unfollow them, and then do it.
Onward, humans. We are sitting on scorched earth, to be sure, but remember one thing: we can build anything we want on a clear canvas. It’s time to figure out the power part of it and make sure we start to demand that commentary gives it center stage.
-Christine Merser
A Few Examples for Consideration…
Consider Stephen Moore, a former economic adviser to Trump and someone floated for leadership at the Federal Reserve. Moore’s public commentary on women has been repulsive, ranging from jokes about women’s paychecks being “smaller than men’s” to demeaning remarks about women athletes. While Moore was ultimately not confirmed, his consideration for such a position was a clear signal: qualifications matter less than fealty to Trump’s warped worldview.
And then there’s Andy Puzder, Trump’s initial pick for Secretary of Labor—a position meant to advocate for American workers. Puzder was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife and has openly mocked workers in public statements. How can a man with such a personal history of disregard for human dignity be expected to champion labor protections or workplace safety?
The most egregious example, though, might be Brett Kavanaugh. Trump’s nomination of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court set off a national firestorm, not just because of Kavanaugh’s judicial record but because of the credible allegations of sexual assault brought against him by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Watching that confirmation process unfold—seeing Ford dismissed, minimized, and ultimately ignored—was gut-wrenching. And, to make it worse, other women offered to testify and they didn’t let them. We knew that. We let it go. Susan Collins ridiculous comment, “Well he told me…” makes me sick. She should have to account for that comment every time she is in front of the press. This was a lifetime appointment, one that would shape the future of our nation. And yet, the loudest message was that the pain of survivors didn’t matter.
HCR wrote today about a substantive and powerful speech JB gave yesterday about the economy, where it has been, where it is, and where it could have gone. The speech was virtually ignored in the press. The message and messenger have no power (even if JB is President). Communication is a big component of power. One side of the political divide has mastered this (for now); the other has been tilting at windmills.
Thank you!! Spot on analysis Christine. Request, one day SOON, will you please do an analysis/assessment of Schumer? Sadly most Democrats entrust him to lobby on our behalf and yet all I see is A LOT of hot air and minimal action. Thank you!!