This is Why "Governing Right" Exists!
With a huge election behind us, it's time to shift from politics to governing
In this short post:
Governing Right is dedicated to discussions of governing—the stuff after elections
The kinds of important issues I’ll be writing about related to Trump II
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I didn’t write about the campaign.
I promised that this column would be a place for governing—the actual work of public leadership inside of the system.
Lots of people write about races and polls and candidates and fundraising and messaging. But when all that is done, agendas need to be set, laws have to be written, rules need to be drafted, programs have to be administered, cabinet officials and judges must be nominated, staffers need to be hired, and budgets have to be crafted.
I started this column six months ago because I wanted there to be a place to find regular, informed discussions from a right-of-center perspective on these very issues. With Donald Trump’s victory, such discussions are even more important.
Namely, what does a second Trump administration mean for governing?
Though I’ll continue to write about state and local matters as well as federal matters unrelated to the incoming administration, I plan to dedicate increased time—including more frequent posts—to the formation and activities of Trump II.
If this sounds of interest, I do hope you’ll become a paid subscriber and share this newsletter with others. As I write more about these issues, more of my columns will go behind a paywall. A subscription is less than $5/month. Your support will enable me to keep doing this.
Here are some of the issues I plan to write about.
After the 2016 election, Mr. Trump scrapped his first transition team and started from scratch, which led to an ineffective start—and an underperforming administration. Will this transition effort be more successful?
The GOP had the federal governing trifecta during the first half of Trump’s first term, but they didn’t get all that much accomplished. Will this GOP-controlled Congress be more aligned with the administration and capable of passing a robust legislative agenda?
Many accomplished Republicans chose not to work for President Trump the first time around. Many who did ended up being fired, humiliated, or worse. Indeed, many of the most prominent officials from Trump I opposed his candidacy in 2024. So who will be willing to work for Trump II? Will accomplished conservatives take a chance? Or will they wait four years for the next administration?
Mr. Trump and some of his closest allies believe his first administration was undermined by appointees who were insufficiently loyal. Who will the incoming president be willing to hire? Officials from Trump I? Private sector figures without governing experience? Members and staff from the Hill? DC-based advocates? State-level figures?
With a GOP majority in the US Senate, Mr. Trump should be able to have most of his appointees, including judges, confirmed. Will GOP senators quickly approve all (most?) of his choices? Will they raise objections?
Speaking of judges, Mr. Trump appointed three SCOTUS justices, 174 district court, and 54 appeals court judges. Most of these came through trusted legal pipelines on the right. But Mr. Trump seems to think some of these judges weren’t sufficiently loyal to him. So who will he appoint this time around? Standard Federalist Society attorneys, or those who prioritize fidelity to the president? Will the senate majority (and lack of judicial filibusters) enable the president to elevate more controversial figures?
Will Mr. Trump have a clearer policy agenda than in his first term? Is it reflected in Project 2025? If not, what will be his priorities, and will he stick with them?
Other topics are certain to emerge, and I’ll cover those as well. Please consider supporting this column so you have full access to all of this important material.
The next four years will be eventful, for sure. But not just for the politics. If you want informed, timely discussions of the most important issues of right-of-center governing, this will be your place.