Staff Reports
Rep. Jamie Raskin seems to have taken his anxiety levels to new heights recently, expressing extreme concern that former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have yet to finalize any presidential transition agreements. This latest episode of political hand-wringing has Raskin sounding alarms about a potential mess transferring power come next year. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Raskin that it’s still campaign season.
Raskin, who serves as the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, has been frantically penning letters, imploring Trump to engage in transition talks with the federal government. He posits that Trump’s reluctance to adhere to what he deems “established norms” could set off a catastrophic chain reaction affecting the machinery of American democracy. Meanwhile, it seems Raskin has a selective memory when it comes to “norms” that many Democrats have trampled over in recent elections.
The irony of Raskin’s worry is palpable. It raises questions about whether he’s genuinely concerned about a smooth transition or simply trying to muster a panic over what appears to be an increasingly optimistic outlook for Trump’s campaign. As the elections draw nearer, Trump’s momentum seems to be growing, while observers would be hard-pressed to identify any spark of hope coming from the opposing camp. If there’s a transition plan to be made, wouldn’t it be best addressed after the votes are cast?
Jamie Raskin Breaks Out in a Cold Sweat Over Trump Presidential Transition Plans https://t.co/hzoBYMSnjK
— Ward Clark (@TheGreatLander) October 24, 2024
Another head-scratcher is Raskin’s timing. While he chastises Trump for allegedly discarding political protocols, this same Raskin has hinted at refusing to certify election results should the unfathomable happen and Trump emerges victorious. It’s clear that his grasp on political etiquette only extends as far as it suits his narrative. Has the campaigning Harris team even entered into transition agreements? One gets the sense that these sort of details would quickly get lost in the shuffle should they not line up with Democrat talking points.
Despite Raskin’s theatrics, there really isn’t much to panic about just yet. Trump and Vance are undoubtedly working behind the scenes on their plans, likely saving the official paperwork shuffle for after the big day of November 5th. Meanwhile, Raskin should consider that ongoing campaigns require an immense amount of focus and resources—certainly not the best time to obsess over hypothetical transitions.
In the end, Rep. Raskin embodies the poster child for what many are dubbing Trump Derangement Syndrome. With each new day, he seems headed for another episode of exaggerated distress over the current political landscape. With election season reaching a crescendo, it’s certain that Raskin will find more to hyperventilate about, even as conservative America watches with a mix of amusement and eye-rolling.
