James S. Bridgeforth: Will Republicans save America from Donald Trump?

By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D. As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his cabinet with the likes of Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth, it’s clear this administration isn’t a typical parade of statesmen. Nope, it’s an army of loyalists—a lineup designed to turn America’s executive team into a loyalty test, not a meritocracy.& And let’s not kid ourselves: if you’re a minority or belong to any marginalized community, this is more of a fire alarm than a “fresh start.” At best, these picks feel like someone went looking for ideological street fighters, not experts. And sure, you might want team players on a pickup basketball team, but this is the most powerful government in the world.& Remember when qualifications mattered? Those days are gone, my friends. Now, it’s a club of handpicked devotees whose goals seem clear: dismantle, disrupt and divide any notion of a progressive America. America faces a profound question in the Trump era.& & In a political landscape where white grievance politics have found a cozy spot in the mainstream, Trump’s administration has effectively branded itself as the anti-establishment retribution regime. But here’s the trick: by painting himself as a revolutionary outsider, Trump has made millions believe...