We Must Not Only Form a Government, but Also Take Power

The series of events dubbed 'We Win, They Lose', organized by the Center for Fundamental Rights, continued with a panel discussion on the second Trump administration. Spencer Chretien, director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project initiated by the Heritage Foundation, was interviewed by Zoltan Koskovics, geopolitical analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights. They discussed, among other things, that winning the election does not automatically mean gaining power, and the document prepared by the project contains policy recommendations for each state agency.

Zoltan Koskovics, geopolitical analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights, and Spencer Chretien, director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, launched by the Heritage Foundation (Photo: Magyar Nemzet)

The third pillar is effectively a series of online video lessons that equip these people with what they need to know to be effective in Washington. This is particularly important because the Heritage Foundation is not only trying to prepare for a successful Donald Trump administration, but also to make a long-term difference by preparing conservatives to serve effectively in Washington.

In this respect, the Republicans certainly need to catch up with the left, because at the moment, even if they come to power, the left wing's deep entrenchment in bureaucracy is preventing them from gaining real power and implementing their ideas. 95-97 percent of the Washington bureaucracy is Democrat, Mr Chretien pointed out.

During the first Trump administration, most of the big decisions were made in the last two years, because those around the president had gained the necessary experience. The second presidential term tends to benefit from the experience of the first one, he underlined.

Changes of power are always fraught with tension for US presidents, as elections are usually very close and the stakes are high. The current US President, Joe Biden, will certainly not walk away, after more than half a century in US politics," Mr Chretien explained.

Regarding Donald Trump's ongoing criminal case in New York, it is but a showcase trial, the policy expert said. No one other than Trump would have been prosecuted for what he is being tried for. However, so far nothing that has been used against Trump has worked," he said, adding that the election of several district attorneys who brought these cases to court was funded by very large sums of money from organizations linked to George Soros.

What is certain is that the American electorate will see through the machinations of whatever decision is made in the New York courts. And the chances of the former president getting a prison sentence are slim, if only because of the nature of the charges," Mr Chretien emphasized. 

There are differences of opinion within the US conservative camp regarding the war in Ukraine, another important issue brought up by the think tank's policy expert. But one thing is clear: every day of war means more death and destruction, and the Ukrainians will be worse off if they commence peace negotiations from a worse position. 

Yesterday would have been the best day for a ceasefire, Spencer Chretien said, concluding his thoughts.

Cover photo: Zoltan Koskovics, geopolitical analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights, and Spencer Chretien, director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, launched by the Heritage Foundation (Photo: Magyar Nemzet)