Now it was clear to me fairly early that Trump's knowledge on policy was paper-thin, such as his fumbled response to the nuclear triad discussion during the GOP debates. His whole candidacy was not some well-articulated political philosophy but a general argument his unique background as a purported incorruptible, accomplished, self-made, master businessman/job creator, a shrewd deal maker, not tied down to corrupt moneyed interests, like the other professional politicians running against him: his only obligation is to the voters who put him in office. What I saw, though, was a contempt for the process; his debate responses seemed to be rehearsed soundbites and jabs at his political opponents.
In fact, Trump hardly was a principled politician; he had switched from GOP to Perot's Reform Party in a failed attempt to win its 2000 nomination. He subsequently joined the Democratic Party. During Obama's first term, he switched back to the GOP, flirted with the idea with running in 2012, and the rest is history. (Well, there was one time where he left the GOP again and then rejoined a short time later.)
For me, though, the telling point was when Trump pinned Romney's anti-immigrant policy for his 2012 loss to Obama--and 3 years later made immigration his signature political issue--and went far beyond whatever Romney did. He quickly lost me when he started attacking trade, promised a Statist alternative to ObamaCare, and attacking businesses, like Nabisco, Apple, and Ford. Even worse, while paying lip service to the debt, he took entitlements off the board while promising to increase defense spending.
It was clear to me Block's dreams of an isolationist Trump were naive; Trump had no intent of letting his rivals outflank him as being tough on terrorism!
You would think after Trump's first year in office these libertarian fantasies would have ended:
- Trump has reiterated support for eminent domain
- Sessions has zero tolerance for violations on drug prohibition policy, even if it violates federalist principles (i.e., state writes)
- Not only has our Middle East involvement not toned down, but Trump has provocatively recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and seems to be spoiling for a fight with Iran and North Korea
- New trade packs are all but dead. Relations with two of our biggest trading partners, Canada and Mexico are strained.
- Trump didn't deliver on ObamaCare repeal.
This is not to say it's been all bad news. The Gorsuch SCOTUS nomination was inspired, Trump has made big strides in federal deregulation, he is opening up US natural resources, and he just signed the most significant tax reform in over 30 years (including the ObamaCare insurance mandate penalty).
But some are painting Trump as a "libertarian" President because of these measured steps, which makes me hopping angry.
First, let me point out that tax reform, deregulation, and "drill, baby, drill" have been GOP talking points for decades.
Second, Trump's tweets and other statements have not been respectful of judicial due process; he has on multiple occasions attacked court decisions or other proceedings (Bergdahl, the Steinle case, etc.)
Third, Trump has during his campaign and Presidency suggested that protesters should be "roughed up" and has little tolerance for individual rights in matters involving police intervention.
Trump's version of nationalism and his willingness to build on the imperial Presidency is decidedly anti-libertarian. In fact, he has specifically targeted the House Liberty Caucus to be primaried, scapegoating them for failure of ObamaCare repeal.
Libertarians are notorious for telling other libertarians to get off their cloud. But, PLEASE. Trying to argue Trump is libertarian goes beyond delusion. STOP IT NOW.
