The classic Western Shane tells a story of courage, justice, and standing up to bullies. Watching it again recently, I was reminded of those old-fashioned American ideals—doing the right thing, protecting the vulnerable, and resisting corruption.
That’s what makes today’s political landscape so disorienting. Instead of principled leaders, we have Donald Trump and Elon Musk—two men who revel in power, mock public service, and seem more interested in self-interest than the greater good.
After Musk met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even Trump admitted he wasn’t sure whether Musk was representing the U.S. government or just himself. “I don’t know,” Trump said. “I assume he wants to do business in India.”
Their aggressive approach—what Axios calls “masculine maximalism”—is built on bravado, intimidation, and a disdain for those who dedicate their lives to public service.
A Government in Chaos
Trump’s administration is gutting federal agencies without transparency or concern. Republicans are too scared to challenge him, and Democrats seem paralyzed, like helpless townsfolk in a Western waiting for a hero.
Trump has turned the Justice Department into his personal enforcer. He immediately purged federal prosecutors working on January 6-related cases and launched an investigation into FBI agents who helped prosecute the Capitol rioters. Suddenly, law enforcement officers are treated as criminals, while the man responsible for the insurrection poses as the champion of justice.
Even more alarming, Trump has made it easier for American companies to bribe foreign governments—abandoning an American principle in favor of profit.
The Battle Over Justice
Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned rather than be fired after refusing to drop a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Six other Justice Department officials followed her out the door in protest.
Sassoon, a Federalist Society member with degrees from Harvard and Yale, is the true hero of this story. But Trump and his new Justice Department leadership are trying to paint her as the villain—while portraying Adams, now cooperating with Trump’s immigration crackdown, as a victim.
Twisting American Values
Trump has upended America’s moral compass, treating loyalty as more important than legality. He speaks fondly of Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, while dismissing Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky as a lost cause. His defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, downplays values and insists only “hard power” matters.
But America’s strength has always been more than just military might. We have been the nation that freed Europe, defended democracy, and stood as a beacon of hope. What happens when we trade those ideals for greed, corruption, and power games?
Trump and Musk may relish their image as untouchable strongmen, but they should remember the wisdom of John Wayne in The Cowboys:
“A big mouth don’t make a big man.”