There is no doubt that Liz Cheney's primary defeat in Wyoming last night was a major victory for Trump. He humiliated his most prominent Republican critic; she declared war on him, and lost; her political career is essentially finished.
But it is not clear what the implications for Trump may be. Cheney did as much to defeat herself as Trump did to unseat her. She persisted with her January 6 obsession, to the exclusion of issues Wyoming voters care about, ad infinitum.
So while some pundits are saying -- both approvingly and otherwise -- that the Wyoming result cements Trump as the leader of the Republican Party, that is premature. He is the most important figure, but he does not control outcomes.
Just look at what has happened in some other primaries -- notably Georgia, where his gubernatorial candidate lost badly; and Pennsylvania, where his chosen candidate is losing to a weak Democrat who can barely campaign.
What is clear from Wyoming is that Republican voters are sick of the obsession with attacking Trump. It is not yet clear that Republican voters are ready to fall in love again with Trump -- though the FBI raid has rallied support around him.
There is a long way to go before 2024, and though the presidential primary will essentially kick off on the day after the midterm elections, if not sooner, I still see it as a wide-open field. Never Trump is discredited; Trump has a way to go.
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call in: 866-957-2874
