Trump’s Fourth Greatest Betrayal so Far — And Pete Hegseth
The title of this column on April 3 was Trump’s Three Greatest Betrayals So Far. Today, I’m highlighting Trump’s fourth greatest betrayal so far. And, given the fact that we are only three months into Trump’s second term, there are doubtless many more betrayals on the way.
Trump’s Greatest Betrayal Number Four
On May 7, the Trump administration will require that all Americans obtain a Real ID to be able to board a domestic airliner.
Conservatives are speaking out against the Trump administration’s plans to finally enact long-expected REAL ID laws in a bid to crack down on illegal immigration.
“If you think REAL ID is about election integrity, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Someone has lied to you, or you’re engaged in wishful thinking. Please don’t shoot the messenger,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote on X earlier this week.
Responding to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s video announcing the May 7 REAL ID deadline, the former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin questioned in a lengthy post: “Or what?? Evidently, existing ID requirements for American citizens just aren’t adequate now, so Big Brother is forcing us through more hoops for the ‘right’ to travel within our own country.”
Palin continued: “Other administrations delayed this newfangled, burdensome REAL ID requirement. Are you curious why its implementation is imperative now?? And who came up with this?”
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, but the federal government has yet to implement it 20 years later. It requires all U.S. travelers to be REAL ID compliant when boarding domestic flights.
This was during G.W. Bush’s purge of constitutional liberties via his “war on terror,” which created the Department of Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, etc.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced last week that REAL ID would go into effect May 7, and that no other state-issued ID cards would be accepted for air travel.
While an overwhelming majority of Republicans appear to have few issues with the change, some on the right have cried foul.
Republicans at large have always been eager to join Democrats in two areas: 1) Going to war with anybody overseas and, 2) Enabling and enlarging a police state and surveillance state inside America.
Massie argued in an X post, “As long as the pilot’s door is locked and no one has weapons, why do you care that someone who flies has government permission? REAL ID provides no benefit, yet presents a serious risk to freedom. If a person can’t be trusted to fly without weapons, why are they roaming free?”
“REAL ID is a 2005 George Bush-era Patriot Act overreach that went completely unenforced until Trump got into office. Let me guess: he’s playing 4D chess and I should just go along with it?” Massie wrote.
Former presidential candidate and ex-House Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, wrote on X, “Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem announced Friday that the notorious PATRIOT Act-era REAL ID scheme would go into effect at the end of the month. REAL ID is one of the greatest threats to Americans’ civil liberties in decades.”
Kentucky state Rep. TJ Roberts, a Republican, agreed with Paul on social media, writing, “Repeal REAL ID!!”
New Hampshire state Rep. Joe Alexander, a Republican, added on the accusations, calling REAL ID a “violation
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