It’s hard to believe, but it’s been ten years since I stepped into Congress as a Republican after some time working as a staffer on Capitol Hill. It’s an experience that deeply shaped my commitment to serve the people. Representing the folks in Michigan was often a frustrating yet incredibly gratifying endeavor.
Now, whenever someone asks, “Was it always like this during your term?” I can’t help but talk about the current turmoil.
Many of my colleagues were far smarter and more capable than what you’d see in the media, yet the Senate was undeniably dysfunctional. If anything, it’s become worse, filled with toxicity. Nowadays, the emphasis is on beating rival parties and playing the blame game, rather than working toward real solutions. While I did manage to push a few bills across the line, what I truly enjoyed was connecting with constituents. That’s where the real joy of the job lies.
By keeping in touch with old colleagues, I see a lot of misery. It’s a tough time in Capitol Hill, which clearly plays a big role in why so many lawmakers are stepping down. A senior Republican even told Punchbowl, “The current White House team has treated all members like garbage, and Mike Johnson allows it.”
For Republicans, it’s a major dilemma—either challenge President Trump’s questionable actions or just go with the flow and get nothing done.
Another disheartening trend in today’s world is the expectation and acceptance of hate and violence. Trump’s knack for stirring his base against any Republican willing to think for themselves has just fueled the issue, with social media amplifying these tensions for everyone involved. I’ll never forget when a conservative buddy of mine dropped out of the Freedom Caucus, stating that their only goal became fundraising off their dysfunction.
While I wasn’t in Congress during the Reagan Era, I recall hearing many members reminisce about those days when leaders like Reagan and Tip O’Neill would share meals, crack jokes, and collaborate for the common good.
Even when I had my disagreements with President Obama, I always felt assured he respected his Oath of office.
Former GOP Rep. David Trott
It appears that Speaker Mike Johnson has forgotten that the Legislative and Executive branches of the government should balance each other out. Under his guidance, the GOP seems to treat the Constitution like it’s just another book—handy, but not mandatory. Obama did use executive orders, but Trump’s reliance on them has reached new heights, effectively disregarding fundamental aspects of our Constitution. While I served during some of Trump’s early days, he hadn’t reached such dizzying levels of power abuse yet—in fact, the idea of just waiting for him to dictate my actions sounds nearly unbearable.
Let’s not sugarcoat this: Trump’s executive team is made up of sycophants and individuals with checkered pasts. (Let’s note, they were pardoned first, of course.) It feels absurd to live in a society where breaking laws can lead you straight to a special advisory position within the administration.
Working with some of these so-called sycophants—like Tulsi Gabbard, Kristi Noem, Doug Collins, and Lee Zeldin—it’s apparent that ten years ago, they were bright individuals. What’s changed? They seemingly abandoned their critical thinking just to keep Trump appeased and maintain their positions. I often wonder if it’s even worth it.
Even though we fought under Obama, we were less inclined to condemn one another. Nowadays, getting ahead often seems to mean obliterating those who think or act differently. I hope most Americans are uneasy with this idea.
A dear friend from my Congressional days, John Delaney, a Democrat from Maryland, wrote an insightful book titled The Right Answer. In it, he highlighted Congress’ persistent struggles to tackle key issues, reminding us that doing nothing carries its own hefty price tag. Partisanship existed even back in my day, and the bitter truth is I fear it’s unlikely to get better anytime soon. Perhaps a decade from now, as we navigate a post-Trump world, our leaders might finally pivot their focus from preserving their jobs to delivering results. We, the public, clearly deserve that.
