One of the propaganda points that was pounded incessantly during the 2024 campaign was how Trump would seek revenge on all those Democrats and deep state bureaucrats who made his life miserable over the last two years. But Trump has repeatedly stated what his preferred response will be, “My revenge will be success.”
It is all about “promise and deliver.” Trump has been very clear about his promise priorities. He is putting people in place he trusts to deliver. Revenge is a distraction. This president is focused. He is experienced. He has the team he expects to be approved by the Senate and is ready to use recess appointments to those they resist approving. He will be busy from day one to ensure success on the things that matter most. But what is success?
Success One: Secure the border and declare a national emergency to use the military to help deport illegal immigrants starting with those who have committed crimes. Reinstitute the Stay in Mexico policy for those seeking entry. If they make it a crime to hire an illegal alien, Trump will see many illegals leave on their own. Let them know that all are free to leave and apply for legal immigration. Americans support legal immigration. We need more people willing to contribute to the American dream. We don’t need criminal or freeloaders looking for cashing in on American entitlements. Turn the benefits off for illegals. Refuse to support any government affirming sanctuary status. Don’t expect the rest of taxpayers to pay for illegal immigrants who stormed across the border under Biden.
Success Two: Deliver on energy independence by taking an all-of-the-above approach that takes advantage of our tremendous energy reserves. Drill, baby, drill and let alternative energies compete on their own merit. Global warming is not occurring at the rate the woke alarmists have expected. The expansion of drilling will give the United States a resource that will help turn around our deficit. Why pay our enemies in the Middle East for inferior oil when we have the greatest reserves in the world? The cost of energy accelerated amid out-of-control inflation. It helped Trump win the election. They want answers, not alarmist myths that more and more scientists do not support.
Success Three: Trump is ready to support American businesses by pledging to impose “across-the-board” 20 percent tariffs on imports that critics suggest will trigger inflation, disrupt domestic industries, and spur global trade wars. Despite overwhelming criticism from the left, they forget that Trump is the great negotiator. He’s called tariffs “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” and hasn’t backed down since his Nov. 5 reelection. But knowing Trump, the tariff threats may be a “negotiating tactic” to give the United States leverage in mediating trade pacts. In fact, there are signs it is working already. Many countries are letting Trump know they are willing to buy more U.S. goods and energy.
Success Four: Trump has proposed a new cabinet position on Government Efficiency. He will use the skills of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to take on the waste of the Deep State that is built on annual increases in their budgets. Trump has the authority to gut unnecessary departments and eliminate redundancy in the bloated federal budget. They are claiming that the goal is to eliminate $2 trillion in cost. That may be a high goal, but remember they claimed that Twitter couldn’t function if Elon Musk cut 80 percent of the work force. It seems to be functioning just fine. There is no greater success Trump could accomplish than to lower the cost of the federal government. It’s time to send more government functions back to the local areas that know best and care most about what is done.
Success Five: Trump has appointed Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Some question the appointment and wonder whether he can be approved. Trump wants him and, like many presidents, he will not hesitate to use a recess appointment to get the man he wants. Gaetz is clearly a feared outsider and disruptor, and that’s what Trump wants. Success to Trump will be to end the DOJ's left-leaning focus on lawfare, censorship, and election interference. Trump has also promised to support local police departments in ending the rampant crimes allowed by woke district attorneys. Trump will have the back of law enforcement throughout the country.
There are other successes Trump has promised to deliver. If he wants to continue to expand his support in black and Hispanic minorities, he would be wise to support school choice. Too many minorities are trapped in under-performing schools. But for now, he has shared his priorities, and he has positioned the right people to carry out his agenda. Trump will settle for only one revenge—bringing the success he has been waiting to deliver to this country he loves. Thankfully, this election has proved that America loves Trump back. May successes follow quickly.
Terry Paulson is PhD psychologist, professional speaker, and author of The Optimism Advantage and his new political novel, The Summit. Contact him at terry@terrypaulson.com