Sunday Issues-Extortion, Narcissism. and Arrogance
Sunday, March 23, 2025
The president was busy last week. Today, I focus on three news items involving him that reflect on his character. My worries about America's future are increasing.
Extortion?
First, the president announced he was revoking an Executive Order, 14237, that threatened the law firm of Paul Weiss unless it took specific actions prompted by Trump’s belief that the firm participated in the “Lawfare” against him. That Order alleged:
In 2021, a Paul Weiss partner and former leading prosecutor in the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller brought a pro bono suit against individuals alleged to have participated in the events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, on behalf of the District of Columbia Attorney General.
In 2022, Paul Weiss hired unethical attorney Mark Pomerantz, who had previously left Paul Weiss to join the Manhattan District Attorney’s office solely to manufacture a prosecution against me and who, according to his co-workers, unethically led witnesses in ways designed to implicate me. After being unable to convince even Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that a fraud case was feasible, Pomerantz engaged in a media campaign to gin up support for this unwarranted prosecution.
Additionally, Paul Weiss discriminates against its own employees on the basis of race and other categories prohibited by civil rights laws. Paul Weiss, along with nearly every other large, influential, or industry leading law firm, makes decisions around “targets” based on race and sex. My Administration is committed to ending such unlawful discrimination perpetrated in the name of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies and ensuring that Federal benefits support the laws and policies of the United States, including those laws and policies promoting our national security and respecting the democratic process. Those who engage in blatant discrimination and other activities inconsistent with the interests of the United States should not have access to our Nation’s secrets nor be deemed responsible stewards of any Federal funds.
The March 14 Executive Order threatened Paul Weiss with loss of contracts with the federal government, revocation of security clearances, and limitation of access to federal employees and buildings. As a result of the Order, Paul Weiss suffered impairment of its business and apparently concluded it needed to acquiesce in the president’s demands.
Yesterday, the President revoked Executive Order 14237. The president noted in “Addressing Remedial Action by Paul Weiss” that:
Earlier this week, though, Paul Weiss indicated that it will engage in a remarkable change of course. Specifically, Paul Weiss has acknowledged the wrongdoing of its former partner Mark Pomerantz, and it has agreed to a number of policy changes to promote equality, justice, and the principles that keep our Nation strong, including: adopting a policy of political neutrality with respect to client selection and attorney hiring; taking on a wide range of pro bono matters representing the full political spectrum; committing to merit-based hiring, promotion, and retention, instead of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies; dedicating the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal services during my term in office to support causes including assisting our Nation’s veterans, fairness in the justice system, and combating anti-Semitism; and other similar initiatives.
One reading of the president’s action is that he has successfully executed an act of extortion. President Trump likely will not have to worry about Paul Weiss getting involved in any future impeachment or prosecution of Donald Trump.
Make a note of the Paul Weiss case. You will see more like it. If Trump's actions sound like “Lawfare” and “retribution,” you are right.
Narcissism.
Let’s make this one short. President Trump has named America’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) jet fighter AFTER HIMSELF. The fighter will be known as the “F-47.”
I wrote a political satire piece for my Medium publication, “Dean’s List,” suggesting that the plane's nickname will be “Trump.” The words “This is your retribution” will be painted on each plane’s nose, and a small image of himself, sold to the government by the Trump Organization, will be placed in the cockpit of each aircraft.
It is not difficult to find signs of Trump’s narcissism, but the F-47 represents a new low.
Arrogance.
Not too many years ago, Republicans were champions of States’ rights. They still are regarding education—President Trump wants to “return education to the States, where it belongs.” Or so he says. If a state wants to allow transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports, Trump will overrule them.
Earlier this month, Maine Governor Janet Mills attended a meeting with President Trump. The president asked Mills whether Maine would comply with an Executive Order issued on February 5, 2025, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” In part, the Order reads:
It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy. It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.
At the February 21st meeting, Trump asked Governor Mills whether Maine would comply with the Executive Order. Mills responded that Maine would comply with state and federal law. Trump threatened Maine, saying:
Well, we are the federal law. "You better do it, because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't.
Governor Mills replied, "See you in court."
Trump shocked many of the other governors in the room with this:
Good, I'll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a really easy one. And enjoy your life after governor because I don't think you'll be in elected politics.
Yesterday morning, Trump acknowledged that Maine had apologized to him. That apology was not enough. Trump is demanding a personal apology from Governor Mills:
Forgive me, but President Trump’s social media post is highly offensive and arrogant. Regardless of whether you agree with the president on the participation of transgender people in women’s sports, he should not address a Governor the way he did. President Trump was out of line.
Thank you.
Thank you for reading today’s Sunday Issues. I may post the above-referenced piece of political satire later this week.
And special thanks to everyone who has subscribed to Dean’s Issues & Insights. I appreciate it.
Craig, great comment--much better than my piece.
Guys
Trump spoke as an arrogant authoritarian, so what. When are we