I’m quite happy to be where I am, doing what I’m doing. I don’t want anyone to think (as some have done, mistakenly, before) that I wrote what I do because of some other personal ambition.
But I do have some ideas about how things ought to be done. And I’ve learned the hard way that in America, it’s best to be clear about what you want to achieve, rather than hoping people will notice.
So, with that… if I were in the Trump 2.0 administration, what would I want to do, and why?
1. U.S. ambassador to Israel - There is no shortage of good candidates, but what I would bring to the job is a record of thinking about how to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians. With a president committed to the “deal of the century,” I think it would be possible to lay the foundations.
2. White House press secretary - Generally, I do think it’s better handled by a woman than a man, as Trump seems to believe. But I enjoy the cut and thrust of daily debate, and I would challenge the assumptions behind many of the questions. I’d also introduce a prayer to the briefings (see below).
3. White House faith director - they will probably give this to a pastor, and appropriately so. But I would like to introduce a moment of quiet reflection to the White House briefings, as an example for the rest of the country. I’d also arrange for a rotation of faith leaders to offer a weekly national sermon.
4. Antisemitism czar - I’ve been engaged in the fight against antisemitism my whole life, and I think I’d bring some fresh ideas to the role. I’d focus on the importance of George Washington’s promise to the Jews of early America that they would never have to live in fear in their new country, as they did before.
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
