FYI: A personal note; when a military Flag Officer (general/admiral) is being considered for promotion to a third or fourth star, by law, they must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. When promoted to Lieutenant General I received a form letter reminding me that I serve “at the pleasure of the president” and that at some future date I would be informed that, your service is no longer required.” Additionally, the letter reminded me that after retirement I would forever be subject to recall to active duty.
Mr. President, has it dawned on you recently that you serve at the pleasure of the people. In poll after poll, we-the-people have told you that the majority of us do not want you as our leader because you are doing a terrible job and as a result we are suffering. For example:
Immigration policy, a threat to our national security, only 35% approve.
Overall economy, only 37% approve.
National security, 44% approve.
Handling issues with China, disapprove, 59%.
Handling issues with Russia, disapprove, 55%.
You do not inspire confidence, 65%.
Environmental policy, disapprove, 52%.
You lack the stamina and sharpness to serve as president, 67%.
You are not honest and trustworthy, 54%.
You do not care about we-the-people, 54%.
You cannot work effectively with Congress, 51%.
You deserve reelection in 2024, 32%.
Young Americans under 35 years of age who support a second term, 26%.
Young Americans under 35 approve of handling of the economy, 28%.
Young Americans under 35 approve of handling of inflation, 22%.
The economy is in poor shape, 70%.
Americans’ personal financial situation is worse than a year ago, 50%.
April, 2022, Americans believe the economy is in good shape, 54%.
April, 2023, Americans believe the economy is in good shape, 29%.
Expect the economy to be good a year from now, 39%.
Overall, things are going well in America today, 31%.
Overall, things are going badly in America today, 52%.
Biden’s handling of foreign affairs, disapproval, 67%.
Biden’s energy policies, disapproval, 59%.
Handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, disapproval, 60%.
Americans forecast 2023: 80% see economic struggles; 80% see higher taxes; 80% see budget deficits; 90% expect political conflict; 85% expect international discord; majority of Americans predict negative conditions in 12 of 13 economic, political, societal and international arenas.
Americans believe the stock market will decline in 2023, 60%.
Americans believe the crime rate will rise in 2023, 72%.
Americans believe our power will decline in 2023, 64%.
Americans believe China’s power will increase in 2023, 73%.
As of 27 April, 2023, your overall approval rating is 38%.
Is anyone surprised that over 80% of Americans believe the U.S. is in decline and on the wrong track and that 70% of Americans, including the majority of democrats, 51%, do not want Biden to run for reelection in 2024.
The above findings are contained in online reports by CNN, NBC, NPR, Fox News, Gallop Poll, Harris Insights, Pew Research and Rasmussen Reports.
Mr. President, given the above across-the-board negative predictions for America’s future, isn’t it time to stop what you are doing and consider a different path before our overall condition becomes irredeemable? All you seem to want to say about our present condition is that “it” is (fill in the blank) fault and “Let me finish the job.”
Reported yesterday: “last quarter GDP grew at 1.1%, well below predictions” which does not bode well for our overall economic future. As also noted yesterday by the Wall Street Journal, “Inflation is still high, interest rates are rising and there is fear of recession this year.”
You lack the confidence to face we-the-people:
When finishing a significant pronouncement from behind the teleprompter, it is certain the White House reporters will have important questions. We have disgustingly become accustomed to you literally and figuratively turning your back on America and exiting stage-left, only saying, “I’m not supposed to take questions.”
When planning for a live news conference once every few months, you have demonstrated that you are not confident enough on current events to hold an open interchange with the White House reporters. Video cameras this week captured your note cards which contained a photo of the reporter you are to call on, the exact verbiage of his/her question and the staff’s-prepared response you are to provide. It’s scary, and provides proof of our conclusions that you are not in charge. And what’s even scarier, we do not know is.
But worst of all is your willful disdain for the totality of the American people in order to build up identity group allegiance to the Democrat Party with the aim of long-term control of all government affairs. To this end you have abandoned your oath of office and the safety and security of our once-great country by opening our borders to untold millions of unvetted illegal immigrants. Among those millions, U.S. officials report that they were aware of at least 599,000 migrants who crossed the southern border and evaded authorities in FY 2022. Potentially, many tens of thousands of them fall in the categories of gang members, felons, sex traffickers, drug traffickers, terrorists and Mexican cartel personnel. On average every day, Mr. President, illegal drugs from Mexico, fentanyl in particular, are killing about 300 Americans. All you will acknowledge is that, “The border is not open.” The death of those 300 every day is on you Mr. president. I can think of no action more egregious by any president in history.
Finally, I am mindful of Biden’s unscripted remarks at the conclusion of his trip to Texas following the ice storm in February, 2021, which left millions without power, heat or water. It was his first “disaster” field trip as president.
He was standing behind a battery of microphones presenting his extemporaneous departing remarks. He thanked Governor Abbot, began thanking others in the audience, stumbling over their names, got lost in his dialogue, began to stammer incoherently and with eyes closed tight mumbled into the microphones, “What am I doing here?”
With only 30 days on the job, this was a clear message to the White House staff puppeteers; we cannot turn him loose without prepared remarks.
The purpose of the opening paragraph was to present a blinding glimpse of the obvious; everyone serves at the pleasure of some higher authority and likely at some point you will no longer be needed. Mr. President, you serve at the pleasure of the American people. It should be painfully obvious to you and to those close to you (especially your wife) that you are no longer fit to serve as our Commander in Chief. We-the-people are your higher authority and we have spoken; your service is no longer required after 20 January 2025.
Your 36-hour work week isn’t getting the job done; give it up before it is too late to save our beloved Republic.
Marvin L. Covault, Lt Gen US Army, retired, is the author of VISION TO EXECUTION, a book for leaders, and a new book May 2022, FIX THE SYSTEMS, TRANSFORM AMERICA as well as the author of a blog WeThePeopleSpeaking.com