President-elect Donald Trump has already shown that he sweats the small stuff, and that means less government waste.
Just check out his latest tweets directed at Congress:
“With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, health care and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS.”
In 265 characters Trump called out House Republicans for a move that appeared to go against common sense.
Why would the GOP go after the very thing that exposed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private, unsecured email server in the 2016 presidential race?
Judicial Watch, a conservative, non-partisan watchdog group that files Freedom of Information Act lawsuits to promote transparency in government and expose corruption and misconduct done by government officials, slammed Republicans in Congress for the move.
“It is shameful that House Republicans are trying to destroy the Office of Congressional Ethics, the most significant ethics reform in Congress when it was established nearly a decade ago. This drive-by effort to eliminate the Office of Congressional Ethics, which provides appropriate independence and transparency to the House ethics process, is a poor way for the Republican majority to begin “draining the swamp,’” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton released in a statement early Tuesday morning. “The American people will see this latest push to undermine congressional ethics enforcement as shady and corrupt. The full House should seriously consider whether it wants to bear the brunt of public outrage and go through with the rule change this afternoon.”
I can only imagine the conversations K street lobbyists were having over their high priced lattes Wednesday morning after the election.
Are we still going to be able to charge $800 for a thumb tac? What about ramming through that earmark for my mother-in-law?
The answer’s no.
Because within a few hours of Trump’s tweet, Congress reversed their decision.
And in doing so, Trump earned kudos from supporters and #NeverTrumpers across the board.
As Katie Pavlich pointed out, “the move was heavily criticized from all sides of the political aisle and especially from those demanding a ‘draining of the swamp.'”
Conservative columnist and ardent Trump critic, Ben Shapiro wrote, “Trump is right.” He continued, saying the “good news” is that “we can all see the sausage being made. Trump isn’t going to hide it when he’s in conflict with Congress, and we’re going to be able to determine who’s right, and who’s wrong.”
Even the National Review and Vox came together in agreement.
If this is any indication of the next four years, Trump is going to use the bully pulpit for the benefit of the American people — unafraid of going after his own party.
In other words, no one’s safe from his scrutiny, and isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?
The president-elect is proving early on that he has no problem reaching out to Democrats and calling out Republicans — in stark contrast to President Obama.
“The Art of the Deal” maker has met with friends and foes, alike, face to face from Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago and everywhere in between.
Trump was able to meet with his former rivals, Mitt Romney and Silicon Valley tech giants and many others who actively campaigned for Hillary Clinton, because the campaign is over.
He doesn’t care who you are as long as you’re competent, fair, and able to get the job done.
One of Trump’s favorite successes earlier in life came when he completed the Trump ice skating rink in Central Park — way ahead of schedule and under budget — at least according to government standards.
We can only hope this becomes a trademark of the Trump administration.
And if we’re really lucky, Trump will put the phrase “good enough for government work” on the trash heap of American history.
So, if you know any government workers charging $800 for a thumb tac, you might want to tell them to hit the road because there’s a new sheriff in town.