John Adams said a republic is “a government of laws, not of men.” Trump is putting the lie to this sentiment, most recently stating he “will pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval.” Karoline Leavett tried to brush this off, saying it’s “just an example of Trump’s sense of humor.” Don’t buy it. His Department of Justice and FBI investigated the six Democrat lawmakers who reminded troops that they are not obliged to obey illegal orders. Now we have a pre-emptive pardon promise - absolving his loyalists of the need to adhere to the law. So much for Adams’ foundational principle. Yet no pardons can hide the fact that Trump’s actions here and abroad are not playing well in everyday America. The partial government shutdown, ICE, the war (yes, it’s war) with Iran, soaring energy costs, 3.3% CPI increase, billions requested for the military but no money for daycare, medicaid or medicare are all factors in rapidly falling approval ratings. Yet Speaker Mike Johnson, rather than focusing on resolving any of these issues, kept the House in recess, choosing to criss-cross Pennsylvania to support Republicans Scott Perry, Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Breshehan and Brian Fitzpatrick, all of whom are considered “at-risk” in the upcoming midterm. Can you blame us? The Trump/Johnson message is power to the president, and the president alone, at all costs, the plight of the people be damned. And that is what’s truly unpardonable.