Trump

Pam Bondi is Not Dangerous — She’s Effective

Pam Bondi, age 59, is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as Attorney General.

Bondi replaces former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination yesterday in the face of strong Senate opposition and numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.

As Florida’s attorney general and top cop between 2011 and 2019, Bondi aggressively and successfully went after human traffickers, drug traffickers, domestic abusers, violent thugs, shysters and scofflaws, and even unscrupulous doctors.

If confirmed by the Senate, Pam Bondi would only be the third woman to oversee the Justice Department.

“There’s no glass ceiling,” Pam’s said. “There’s so many great women in our country who have done so much.”

Bondi has been recognized as a “Lawyer of Distinction” and received the “Women of Excellence in Government” award.

Once asked about her heroes, Bondi pointed to former Attorney General Ed Meese, who served during the Reagan administration. Any conservative who might wonder where Bondi comes down on an issue would be encouraged by considering some of General Meese’s clear and unwavering opinions of late:

Those who oppose photo voter-ID laws and other election-integrity reforms are intent on making it easier to commit vote fraud.
A Supreme Court decision does not establish a “supreme law of the land” that is binding on all persons and parts of government, henceforth and forevermore.

Predictably, critics of Bondi’s law and order approach began speaking up yesterday. Dr. Jason Johnson, who is a political analyst with MSNBC, said something revealing when asked about the nomination.

“Pam Bondi is what I said we should fear because she is competent,” he opined. “We may not agree with her ideologically, but she knows how to do this job.”

He continued:

“Pam Bondi knows what she is doing about immigration. Florida is a state very aggressive about migrants and deportation and moving people to different states and things like that. Florida enacted rules and laws to curtail students and what they can do on campuses and finding legal justifications for manipulating education money. She is a dangerous and effective pick, and that’s frankly worse than what we would have got with Matt Gaetz even with the deplorable moral background that he has.”

Did you pick up on that? Because she’s competent, because she knows the law – she’s dangerous.

As a longtime prosecutor and serving as Florida’s attorney general, Bondi has opposed the legalization of marijuana.

When she ran for attorney general in 2010, Pam said her goal was to make Florida the safest place to live. The Sunshine State now enjoys a crime rate lower than the national average. In announcing her nomination, President-elect Trump stated, “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — Not anymore.”

Back in her dorm room, her state offices, and even on her fridge at home, Bondi hangs a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

If confirmed by the United States Senate, Pam Bondi will have an opportunity to do just that.

Please pray for Pam Bondi.

Image from Getty.

Sean and Rachel Duffy: ‘Our Family is Only as Strong as Our Marriage’

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former congressman Sean Duffy to serve as Secretary of Transportation, the federal agency responsible for ensuring the “movement of people and goods” on the nation’s highways, waterways and rail lines – a critical component of the American economy.

Sean Duffy, 53, represented Wisconsin’s 7th District for eight years, and most recently has been hosting The Bottom Line on Fox Business.

In his statement announcing the nomination, President-elect Trump said:

“Admired across the aisle, Sean worked with Democrats to clear extensive Legislative hurdles to build the largest road and bridge project in Minnesota History … The husband of a wonderful woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a star on Fox News, and the father of nine incredible children, Sean knows how important it is for families to be able to travel safely, and with peace of mind.”

Back in 2019, Sean Duffy voluntarily left a safe seat in Congress. Explaining his decision to Tucker Carlson, he emphasized the need to have more dedicated time with their children. At the time, the Duffy’s ninth child was on the way and needing significant medical treatment.

“Congressional schedules contrary to popular belief, they’re pretty rigorous,” he said.

“We work four days in Washington, you’re back in your district fair, parades, festivals, Dairy Breakfast, meeting constituents. I needed to take some time and be with my wife and my kids, take care of this little one that’s going to need more time from me. I didn’t die. I’m still around, but I just need to focus on family, and we always say, Tucker, you know what? Our families come first. Even though our politics are there first and if we don’t live what we believe, what good are we?”

The Duffys, who are Catholic, regularly champion the importance of a happy marriage and functional family in life.

“Our family is only as strong as our marriage,” Rachel has stressed, also noting the importance of being equally yoked. “Marriage is tough enough; having the same faith takes away a lot of potential disagreements and keeps us grounded.”

Sean Duffy will be replacing Pete Buttigieg, the current secretary whose tenure has been marked by a series of controversies and conflicts. There was the toxic train derailment in Ohio, as well as the airline cancellation chaos in 2022. Secretary Buttigieg also took extended paternity leave when he and his male partner adopted twins.

Despite strong pressure from friends, including President-elect Trump, Duffy resisted calls to run for Wisconsin’s governor in 2022. Citing their growing family’s needs, the former congressman said he didn’t want to continue being away from them for extended periods of time.

A strong proponent of parents’ rights, Duffy has opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates, as well as any policies that infringe upon mothers’ and fathers’ absolute authority when it comes to the caring for and raising of their children.

“I know my kids best,” says Duffy. “I know what morals and values are right for my children. I think we should not have an oppressive state telling us what to do.”

Staunchly pro-life, Duffy often extols the virtue of large families. “Every baby we’ve had has been a gift from God and has come from blessings. And so we take every gift we’re given.”

Addressing the privilege of representing his Wisconsin constituents back in 2019, Duffy expressed appreciation – but also put his role within his family in perspective.

“I’m very grateful to all of them,” he reflected. “It has been an honor to be their congressman. But it’s also a greater honor to be [my children’s] dad. There’s 435 members of Congress, there’s only one dad in the Duffy household. And so those congressmen can do their work. I’m going to go do my dad work.”

Sean Duffy now tackles the many challenges associated with overseeing the myriad of America’s transportation challenges. But he’s made clear that transporting and caring for their nine children – Evita Pilar, Xavier Jack, Lucia-Belen, John-Paul, Paloma Pilar, MariaVictoria Margarita, Margarita Pilar, Patrick Miguel and StellaMaris – remain his top priority.

Image credit: The Duffys

Pete Hegseth: ‘Fathers Chart a Path That Should Lead to Jesus Christ’

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, is being described by many media outlets as a former Fox News host – a description, that while technically true, doesn’t tell even half of his story.

Married to Jenny and father to seven children, the 44-year-old veteran was born and raised in Minnesota, graduating top of his high school class. From there he went to Princeton University, where he played basketball, even making the NCAA Tournament his second year on the team.

Raised in a Christian home, Hegseth praises his parents’ strong faith and family tradition. They attended a solid Baptist church. But looking back, there were some things he wishes were different.  

“My school life was totally separate from my church life, from my family,” he recalled. “And they never reinforced each other.”

He then added, “It’s fair to say I had a Christian veneer but a secular core and thought I was ready to go out into the world and profess Christ. I wasn’t.”

It’s the lack of this faith-life integration that has inspired Hegseth to champion classical Christian education. He explained what was also missing in college:

My compartmentalized faith went with me to Princeton where I got involved in politics and took a class on Christianity that I presumed would explain the Gospels. Taught by an atheist famous for studying the gnostic gospels, the professor believed Jesus died, was buried in a shallow grave, and was eaten by dogs. I realized I was not prepared to combat such thinking and went to the library to read dusty books that pointed to and explained the veracity of the gospels. Defending my faith became an academic endeavor because I sensed faith and the Bible were good. As my pastor pointed out “Many people miss Jesus by 12 inches—the distance from their head to their heart.” I fell squarely into that category.

Hegseth’s book, Battle for the American Mind, was inspired by a desire to help young people avoid a similar windy road. He was eager to provide parents with the tools and information they needed to make sure their children’s faith and education are not on two separate tracks.

“Under the old form of classical Christian education, children gained wisdom by studying history and the classics,” Hegseth wrote.

“Make no mistake about it: the historical singularity that was America’s founding was a result of the culmination of the Western Christian Paideia (WCP). Full stop.”

“Paideia” is Greek and refers to education and upbringing that shapes a person’s soul and culture. Christian Greek educators were as concerned, if not more, with a student’s character, desires and spiritual affections as their intellectual advancement.

In addition to championing strong, classical Christian education, Hegseth holds to a conviction that fathers in America possess the key to the next generation.

“Fathers chart the course and lead the path for their families and kids,” says Hegseth. “A path that should lead to Jesus Christ.”

Shortly before Father’s Day last year, Pete said:

“Being a dad is the most important job I have. I internalize it every day. As a man, I have the privilege of teaching my kids right vs wrong and love for the Lord. Let’s pause & say thanks for the men who are good dads.”

The recipient of two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation medals, plus his time serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Hegseth will bring his military experience, educational accomplishments, and his family and spiritual convictions to the Pentagon. Once approved, the veteran is also promising to rid the military of its increasing wokeness.

Hegseth contends our fighting forces are “being harassed by obligatory training … grounded in Critical Race Theory, radical sex theories, gender policy and ‘domestic extremism’ that are designed to neuter our fighting forces.”

“Experiences in academia helped reorder my heart and mind,” says the nominee.

“Let’s be candid about it: Seek Christ, fully submit to Him, and allow Him Kingship in life! God’s perfect law of liberty that sets me free is Jesus — not perfection, legalism, or anything else.”

Please pray for Pete and the Hegseth family.

Note: In the days following the publication of this article, numerous personal allegations were made against Pete Hegseth. He has not addressed each one, but in a recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal, Hegseth wrote:

“Tragically, many veterans never find the purpose for their next chapter and succumb to the bottle, depression or, worst of all, suicide. I understand what they are facing — because I’ve lived it. But by the grace of God, I took another path. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has renewed and restored my life. I am saved by His grace.”

John Thune, New Senate Majority Leader: ‘We all Need Jesus’

On Wednesday, Republicans elected on a second ballot Senator John Thune of South Dakota to serve as the majority leader in the 119th Congress – a vote that marks the official changing of the guard as Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky steps down from his long-tenured role.

It was back in 2004 when John Thune upset Tom Daschle, the United States Senate Minority Leader.

After having lost in his bid for a Senate seat by just 524 votes in 2002, Thune’s 4,508-vote majority was slim – but good enough to join the upper chamber.

With its 100 members and tremendous political power, the United States Senate plays a pivotal role in American democracy.

The story is told of Thomas Jefferson meeting with George Washington over breakfast after the author of the Declaration of Independence returned from France. Jefferson disagreed with the creation of the United States Senate, thinking it redundant and unnecessary given the House of Representatives.

“Why,” asked Washington, “did you just now pour that coffee into your saucer, before drinking?”

“To cool it,” Jefferson answered. “My throat is not made of brass.”

“Even so,” replied Washington, “We pour our legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.”

It remains to be seen how much cooling Senate Majority Leader-elect Thune’s leadership will have on the fire and heat across Capitol Hill, but it might be helpful to know or be reminded about the life of the South Dakota senator and even better in his own words.

Born in Pierre, South Dakota’s capital city, Thune’s grandfather owned a few hardware stores. His father was a World War II pilot who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross commendation.

In high school, John played football and basketball, and also ran track. He graduated college from Biola University and received a MBA from the University of South Dakota. Thankfully for John, his parents accepted Christ, though later in their lives – a turn that positively impacted him.

“They were in their 30s, but a friend of my dad’s from high school got them involved in a Bible study,” he said. “They were having some struggles in their marriage and their lives — and they found the Lord that way.” 

On His Own Faith Journey

“At an early age, I made a profession of faith in Christ, and that’s been the foundation for pretty much everything I do.”

On His Daily Faith Routine:

“Starting off the day in prayer is critical to every day. In a lot of cases, it’s asking for wisdom. This is a job where there are a lot of things coming at you and being able to discern what’s true from what’s false, knowing right and wrong, and asking for the Lord’s guidance on that.” 

“Before you get up and get on that iPhone, do something that is good for your soul. Get into the Word or spend some time in prayer and solitude and meditation.”

On the Stress and Strain of His Life in Washington, D.C.

“There’s so much noise. Satan uses noise. There’s a Corrie Ten Boom line: ‘If he can’t tempt you, he’ll distract you.’ He’ll get you going in all kinds of directions.”

On Prioritizing the Most Important Things in Life

“You can’t do everything. You can’t be everything to everybody. And you’re not going to make people happy all the time.”

“It says in James 1:5 [that] if any man asks for wisdom, God will give it to him.”

On Being Public with His Faith

“I’m grateful that we still start the Senate each day with prayer.”

“We need to be able to see past differences and focus on the person, and realize we all need Jesus. We all need more of His grace and mercy on a daily basis.”

“God wants us to be out there being salt and light in the culture.”

His Thoughts on Leadership

“I want to be a hopeful, optimistic leader, a leader who’s willing to do hard things, make hard decisions, and a leader who comes with strong convictions and doesn’t shy away from or back down from a fight but at the same time understands that this is a country that’s a democracy, and there are going to be a lot of people at different points of view.”

“At the end, you have to try and figure out how to get solutions and results for the American people. That doesn’t mean you’re always going to get everything you want.”

John Thune, his wife, Kimberley, and their two daughters and five grandchildren, would appreciate our prayers.

Image credit: John Thune / X

Pray for President-Elect Trump’s Safety, Especially Between Now and December 17

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance are scheduled to be sworn into office just 69 days from today – a time-honored tradition dating back to 1937.

The ratification of the 20th Amendment officially moved Inauguration Day from March 4 to January 20. Nicknamed the “Lame Duck Amendment,” it was proposed and passed as a way to shorten the time between Election Day in November and the new president’s start date.

Up until then, the Constitution was silent on when a president was to assume office. It was the Continental Congress that established March 4 as Inauguration Day.  George Washington assumed the presidency the day the Constitution was adopted, but back in 1789, electoral votes weren’t officially cast until April 30. 

The formalization of our presidential election usually happens outside the headlines and often beyond the interest of the average citizen who is content with the notion we elect the president on Election Day.

But you’ll remember from your history lessons, we’re actually voting for electors in November. The executive of our respective state (usually the governor) then appoints them to the Electoral College.

This year, the “Certificates of Ascertainment” – official documents containing those electors – are due to be presented on December 11. Come December 17, these electors will be meeting in their states to vote.

The final tallies will then be sent to the National Archivist and Vice President Kamala Harris, the President of the Senate. At that point, the president-elect and the vice president-elect are officially elected.

A few weeks later, on January 6, 2025, a joint session of Congress will convene to certify the results of the election. The new president and vice president are then formally sworn in on January 20.

Scripture is clear that as Christians we’re to pray for all our leaders.

It was the apostle Paul who urged “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

He also advised believers in Rome, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (1 Timothy 13:1).

But prayers for the president’s well-being are especially in order on multiple fronts – his past brushes with two assassination attempts, physical threats from abroad and the constitutional silence concerning what happens if a president-elect doesn’t make it until the Electoral College meets.

The potential conundrum over a looming Constitutional crisis was the premise of a novel by longtime political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. Here’s how Publisher’s Weekly described the fictional story:

The country is set into a constitutional tailspin two days after the November election when President-elect MacArthur Foyle, a conservative Republican, dies as a result of a rodeo accident. Vice President-elect Ted Block, universally acclaimed as “a step or two slow out of the cognitive gate,” looks to be a shoo-in for the Oval Office until a renegade member of the electoral college, Dorothy Ledger, an office manager of a Michigan Bank & Trust, balks at having to vote for the moderate veep.
Ledger, joined by a New Jersey plumber, a Texas history professor and a CalTech computer-whiz dropout, orchestrates a campaign that leads to other electors willing to change or withhold their votes. Meanwhile, a menagerie of cynics and opportunists led by D.C. “political powerbroker” Jack Petitcon, the megawealthy, self-styled “Hebrew from the Bayou,” and W. Dixon Mason, a rhyming, dissembling, African American preacher, moves toward endorsing its own favorite candidate. Suspense depends on who will prevail: VP-elect Block, the ailing Democratic incumbent or the candidate of splintered factions.
After a tense electoral vote, an unexpected yet honorable resolution is reached. Characterization sometimes takes a back seat to plot machinations here but, for the most part, what The Player did for Hollywood, The People’s Choice, in its unabashed flailing of the American system, does for presidential politics.

Fantastical and far-fetched in many aspects, there remains constitutional questions and issues that, thankfully, have not been faced.

As Christians, we should be praying for President Biden and Vice President Harris, as well as President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance.

Image from Getty