My fellow Republicans, we are all Americans regardless of Party Affiliation or differing viewpoints. What has made America great is our differences and debating issues that bring us together in a consensus. This may happen at a local city or county commission meeting or at our state or federal legislative sessions.
As Republicans, we need to step back from the rhetoric and get serious about the situation we are witnessing—real facts about our President who wants to weaponize our military against our own citizens and use our cities for military training. A president who says there is an "enemy within." A president who has used extortion as a weapon to get votes from Congress. A president who has organized attacks against the press, calling it fake news, as he lashes out with fact-free comments that resemble the ranting of an unhinged figure. This is not healthy for our democracy.
As an American, a Republican, and a Marine Corps veteran, and with 22 years’ experience as a Manatee County Commissioner, I hope you will respect what I am trying to convey. Everyone with an open mind should be alarmed by what is going on with an authoritarian as president. Republicans in Congress have failed to fulfill their responsibilities under the Constitution, in my opinion. The hard work done in the past, passing laws with the consensus of all political parties, has been undone by one person, and that, my fellow Republicans, is not the Democracy of the United States of America.
I am appalled to watch one person authorize a boat to be blown up with people on board without any proof being produced. To me, it’s a prelude to what we are about to see in the United States: kill Americans with our military might without due process because one person takes aim at people he opposes. We have seen the retaliation of our president against Americans by using the Department of Justice to charge people he wants charged when the DOJ investigators did not find evidence to support such charges.
We have seen this president strip away security protection for people he dislikes for various reasons. We have witnessed his double standards, making us believe that we should not weaponize our courts against Americans, only to have him use them more openly as weapons than any president in my lifetime. Trump signed an executive order to promote free speech, but uses his power to limit press coverage, to promote firing those who are critical of him using comedy, and seeks to fire anyone who posts something not in line with his policies.
Now, to seek a federal job, one must agree to defend the Constitution as it stands, but one must also agree to serve the Executive Branch faithfully. There is a new questionnaire for all applicants for federal positions at the GS-5 level and above, asking, among other things, about their favorite Trump administration policy or executive order. Here are the questions: “How would you help advance the president’s executive orders and policy priorities in this role?” the question states. “Identify one or two relevant executive orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.”
We have seen this one person authorize the use of force against peaceful immigrants, hardworking people with families who are not a threat to our country. Some are ripped from their families at a court hearing for asylum. Congress has the power to act and stop this senseless, inhumane, and very costly immigration program, but it ignores its responsibility. Before the election, an immigration bill was going to be passed, and then one person, Trump, as a candidate, threatened Congress, and the bill was not considered. Is this a democracy when a threat from one person can stop Congress from protecting good people seeking asylum?
We can’t raise the Christian flag as a country founded on Christian principles if we are not acting like Christians. Politicians who go to church on Sunday and allow the inhumane treatment of migrants are not following the words of Jesus Christ. Even Pope Leo, the head of the Catholic Church, called out those who describe themselves as “pro-life” for opposing abortion but do not reject the “inhuman treatment” of migrants and the death penalty.
If we really are a "Christian nation," why do we send bombs and weapons to Israel to kill innocent civilians, journalists, doctors, and volunteers trying to help people who are starving and displaced? Yes, it was tragic what happened to Israel at the hands of Hamas, but to see what retaliation has been done is a form of genocide. Our taxes assist in this fight against another country or population that has committed no crime or act of violence against our country.
The tactics used by Israel are similar to those that Russia used in Syria at Aleppo, where civilian buildings are blown up, eliminating an entire city. We were outraged then, but now it is okay? A ceasefire in Gaza could have been in place for months, saving lives, and without any renewed threat to Israel. Now our President wants to be the head of some new board created to be over Gaza. How is this part of an interest we have as Americans?
I am also shocked by how little has been said about Pam Bondi’s comments on hate speech and using the Justice Department to crack down on our citizens' use of words that she ( and the president) does not like. Are we going to have morality police like Iran, or get punished for a social post the government does not like, similar to what China does, or ban the free press like Russia, because our government does not like what we say, and can somehow simply declare it hate speech?
As a country, we have made so much progress to be free, but that is all changing rapidly. Now we have a president making war on his own citizens, whom he was sworn to protect, all because they disagree with him. In one of the saddest moments in our country, a person’s death was used to target his opposition without any facts being presented. Our president has yet to apologize or correct his unwarranted comments. I make no excuses that I am not an extreme far-right Republican. Like many of you, I feel like I am in the middle these days, just like most Democrats and No Party Affiliation voters. In Manatee County, I don’t see an enemy within; we all get along for the most part and can disagree while still enjoying our good fortune in living in this wonderful place.
What makes America great is our diversity. Our states are unique and distinct. California and New York have different mindsets regarding governance than Florida or Texas, so let them be. This is how the country was intended, a collection of states for a common good, not to have our military force change. If crime rates are higher in Chicago, then let them solve the problem or live with it. Our country needs a president, not an authoritarian who runs to the Supreme Court to stop what Congress implemented, with past presidents signing off on bipartisan legislation.
Our authoritarian president is removing rules to protect our health from polluted water and air, eliminating watchdog agencies, and replacing independent board members with loyalists who will enforce his policies rather than Congress’s policies. Our Country needs to be united, not divided by a president. I truly believe we have a great nation, and it was great even before Trump. I suppose that if "great" means making yourself and your friends millions or billions at the expense of the common good we expected, then you were misled about what MAGA was about.
As a country, the worst thing to do is to ignore the warning signs. It is like having chest pains and not thinking you might be having a heart attack. Our country is one step closer to dying, losing a democracy that was thriving and the envy of the world. Wake up, Republicans, because it is up to us to save American Democracy.
Joe McClash is the publisher of The Bradenton Times. He served on the Manatee County Commission from 1990 to 2012.
The Bradenton Times has begun using AI to fact-check our work. This fact-check with links provides an additional resource for our publication and our readers, helping to maintain opinions based on supported facts. The Bradenton Times is committed to fact-based news and opinions. Please contact us at any time if you find a fact may not be supported.
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kmskepton
Bravo, Joe! This. This. This.
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Report this
bbenac
Great Editorial! Thank you Joe for taking the time to write what so many of us are feeling! As a Republican I also feel the party lost its way when it changed its platform to be only "Support Donald Trump". The people who support him unconditional are really delusional, in my opinion. We must remember what it means to be an American, our values, our Constitution-and do everything we can to protect these values, before we lose our democracy!
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Report this
san.gander
Okay, Thanks Joe... time we heard from some more center-oriented and democracy loving Republicans. We don't need the redux of Republicans of the "America First" pro-Hitler crowd of the 1930ies! This current crop of Trump "lovers" in Congress may carry the party name, but they are not "legitimate Republicans".
They are an unholy alliance of the authoritarian right - throwbacks-to-the KKK racists, Christian Nationalist (weirdly anti-Semitic and pro Israeli), bigots, misogynistic men, homophobic, Neo-Nazi, etc., etc.
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Report this
David Daniels
Thank you again, Mr. McClash and TBTs for using the power of your opinion voice to fill the void in leadership created by elected local Republicans that surely understand that we are losing our democracy. Smart people like George Kruse and Tal Siddique have a responsibility to speak up - not on their official social media, but on their private accounts. As the famous quote from Dante goes: "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those in power who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their (silent) neutrality."
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Report this
Cat L
Absolutely. This is not who we are.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
howefamily.gh
Agree completely. Unfortunately, with all the new republicans moving into Manatee and Sarasota, this will be much more difficult to correct even at our local level.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
lib224
One has to wonder what Republicans were thinking when they voted for this on both the state and national level, not once, but three times. Let's face it DeSantis is just a mini Trump, and Florida legislators are of the same ilk, taking away local control and enriching their wealthy buddies. At what point is enough enough?
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
rayfusco68
Yes, thank you Joe for stating the truth. The fastest growing group of voters are the Non Affiliated who are fed up with both parties being so polarized. We need people to start voting issues and not blindly following a party symbol.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
jghaft
Spot on! Never in my lifetime have we had a US President with this much power, who uses it so recklessly to settle scores with his perceived enemies. You didn't touch on his assault against Universities, law firms and blue states. Heaven help us if republicans don't; get a spine
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
RRICH69176
Great editorial and comments provide some level of hope...we can only hope the people of the USA will move back toward the center and not go down the authoritarian road of NO return!
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
alanbtt
Quit whining! American politics swings like a pendulum, and the good news is that it moves in orbit between the three legs of government. Authoritarianism doesn’t live much past its term in office. Trump doesn’t do much that doesn’t gets stalled legally.
The fundamental challenge no one addresses is the role of money in politics. PAC’s are a mistake, but no politician will bite the hand that feeds them. Attacking this challenge is key to bringing Congress back into government. We need to focus on becoming a better republic, not a democracy.
A democracy is two wolves and a rabbit deciding what’s for dinner.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
Sandbird
Yes. Thank you.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
magstarwire
Absolutely spot on Joe. Thanks for putting this together so thoughtfully. I too was a Republican, but I don't recognize whatever it is that the "Republican" party has become. Let's all vote on issues, not the party affiliation.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
mjorders
Thank you so much for voicing your opinion. It's such a challenge to find a voice of reason anymore and so refreshing to hear one!
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Report this
kathcharporter
This is truly a sky is falling reaction to a very successful person who is now President and is accomplishing for the Country all the things the majority of us joined forces with him to accomplish - mostly undo all the things that the liberal left allowed to occur via policies driven by their "next cause" which made them feel good about some emotionally based belief not underpinned by substance but only the motivation to appear wiser and more intelligent than their fellow citizens. Perfect example is climate change and all the insane irrational logic used to promote programs that cost billions and accomplished nothing - still waiting for the first one of them predicting that global warming will rob our children of ever enjoying snow to answer my simple question "what caused the first ice age to end creating the melting of glaciers and their movement that created our great waterways and other natural wonders - it clearly was not humans activity, farting cows or fossil fuel use! And articles like this that use the word "authoritarian" forget that strong management is often needed to achieve objectives (i.e., Jack Welch of GE one of the most successful businessmen was not polite - his successor was and ended up ruining GE) and is often used to bring back the horrible history od the 3rd Reich - only difference is our Nation's system of checks & balances and elections - if the Democrats can find themselves in a few years then we can go back to open borders, useless green programs, suppression of even mild conservative views, creation of hoaxes based on lies that have runned the lives of many including General Flynn, pandering to enemies and so many other radical initiatives that are counter to our basic beliefs! Col CEP (retired Marine and Air force Fighter Pilot)
Monday, October 6, 2025 Report this
Jaymiejo60
Thank you Joe. Well said!
Monday, October 6, 2025 Report this
rjckeuka4
Great article Joe...like the 5-page letter you produced which strongly influenced the change-over of our County Commission a year ago August. I've been a Republican for 68 years since I first registered at age 18. I am a conservative who has voted for candidates of both parties depending on the time and issues. But what is occurring today in the person of this president is unprecedented...not just in my lifetime, but in the history of our great nation... and yes it was GREAT before him...won't be so great after him...if it survives. I continuously call...and write to Buchanan, Scott, Moody and Rubio before her, to no avail. Buchanan does his ridiculous Insta-Polls which are designed to lead responders to the answer he wants to hear...and when the results don't match his agenda, he votes the other way anyway...see the Big Ugly Bill!! Hypocrites, hypocrites, hypocrites...the party should be renamed the HYPOCRIT PARTY! Keep speaking out...we all need to do it...and GO TO THE STREETS! We must save our DEMOCRACY.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Report this
CTBradenton
Afghanistan.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Report this