Bret Stephens: Hey, Gail. I’ll admit, it only took four weeks for me to be disgusted with Donald Trump again.
Gail Collins: Well, that’s not a surprise. But what else is there to talk about now besides taxes, government spending, diversity initiatives, and more?
Bret: I have to say, Vladimir Putin’s potential visit to the U.S. feels like Franklin Roosevelt inviting Adolf Hitler to Hyde Park after Hitler invaded the Sudetenland. Trump’s foreign policy seems to involve alienating allies while lavishing praise on adversaries. This move will be seen as a betrayal of Ukraine, and it’s something that will haunt America for a long time.
Gail: I can’t argue with you there on foreign affairs.
Bret: Domestically, the decision to drop criminal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams is equally appalling. It looks like his change in stance on immigration was rewarded with the dismissal of those charges. The only positive from this episode is the rise of Danielle Sassoon, a principled and conservative former acting U.S. attorney who resigned over the matter after just a few weeks. People like her and Liz Cheney are reminders of what true conservatism should stand for.
Gail: Interesting that these principled conservatives are both women. Coincidence?
Bret: Probably not. Do you have a theory?
Gail: Well, women often face extra challenges when climbing the political and corporate ladder, and they still tend to have more family responsibilities than men. So when they take a brave stand, it tends to feel particularly noteworthy.
Bret: I’m sure Sassoon’s family is incredibly proud. But for the rest of us, the bigger issue is that if Trump stays in power, we might lose the rule of law entirely. That’s just the beginning of my worries.
Gail: I admire your ability to keep your focus on Trump, especially since I’ve been trying to block him out. Do you think his power comes from making his critics so obsessed they can’t look away?
Bret: Trump manages to drive part of his opposition into obsession while making another part indifferent. The trick is acknowledging that not everything he does is harmful — like getting rid of pennies and paper straws — while still keeping sight of the moral damage he causes.
Gail: The Democrats don’t seem to know how to counter him. They need to stop trying to force the “resistance” and focus on offering alternatives that resonate with the center.
Bret: Exactly. They won’t win by just criticizing him. They need to figure out where they’ve gone wrong, like overreaching on issues like transgender rights, living in denial about inflation, and spending too freely. And let’s not forget about their failures at the state level.
Gail: The disaster with Biden’s age is partly his fault for not passing the torch earlier. As for Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment, it was a failure, but it did teach us something — that’s what state governments are for.
Bret: I suppose that’s true. But Democrats did handle immigration better than Trump’s side, which seems to favor violating the Constitution and tossing children born here out of citizenship.
Gail: Yes, but illegal border crossings have dropped significantly under Biden.
Bret: Democrats could benefit from adopting some of Trump’s popular policies, like cutting wasteful spending and deregulation, while also taking on the extreme left. And they need to listen to Trump voters rather than lecture them.
Gail: That’s a great point. But the bigger issue is that most Americans just want a better economy, affordable housing, and good education for their kids. The way to address those is by targeting services like child care and healthcare, not by passing more tax cuts for the rich.
Bret: I wish “efficient government” weren’t an oxymoron. That’s why I suspect Musk’s push for government efficiency will be popular, even if it harms operations and undermines career civil servants.
Gail: You might be right, but there will likely be backlash soon.
Bret: Democrats should focus on “effective government” instead of “efficient government.” It’s about providing the services people need, not just cutting costs. For example, if Trump pushes through tariffs or shuts down the Department of Education, it could have disastrous consequences for families and education.
Gail: So what keeps you optimistic these days?
Bret: I’m inspired by organizations like the Hunts Point Alliance for Children in the Bronx. They’re making a real difference in the lives of young people from one of New York’s poorest neighborhoods. There are incredible things happening across America outside Washington — and that’s something to hold onto.
Gail: That’s great to hear. For me, I find optimism in the ineffectiveness of the Republicans’ slim majority in Congress. I also take comfort in the work of charities, where volunteers are quietly making a positive impact, whether tutoring kids or helping the less fortunate.
Bret: That’s uplifting, and I agree — there’s still hope, even outside of Washington. It’s a reminder that good things can and do happen, and perhaps they’ll reach our government someday.