A Day of Judgment is Coming.

^“How long shall the wicked rejoice?  They belch forth words; they speak arrogantly. All workers of wickedness boast. … They have said, “HaShem[i] does not see, nor does the G-d of Jacob perceive.” … (yet) the One who planted the ear, does He not hear? Or He who formed the eye, does He not see? He who disciplines the nations, will He not rebuke?… HaShem knows human thoughts, that they are futile.[ii]

My hope prior to the 2024 USA Presidential election was that the leaders of the Democratic Party would have set their own house in order by going through the appropriate process of nominating a viable candidate and by addressing the issues of concern raised by the American people. However, they failed, thereby leaving the door open for Trump. Since there is a deep mistrust of the government, it is not surprising that Trump rode the wave of American discontent back into the White House.[iii]

Now Trump is consolidating his power and promoting his policies. While some of his early actions concerning government efficiency are understandable and some of his stances on foreign policy have benefited Israel, one would think that an awareness of his narcissistic transactional nature would make those around him cautious about doing business with him. Yet, many politicians (American and Israeli) are choosing to side with him, because either they think they might benefit, or they are afraid of him. Either way, his aggressiveness and authoritarian tendencies are being encouraged, and it now appears that nothing can stop him from becoming the “king” that he claims to be.[iv] But that is a wrong assumption. There is a far greater power in this world than Trump, and that power resides with The Creator of the universe, who is the only True King of this world and the world to come.

If the forces that have coalesced around Trump had done so without making a reference to G-d, then perhaps the judgment that is coming upon them would not be so severe. However, Trump and his supporters have attempted to hitch the Trump wagon to G-d,[v] and in so doing, they have set into motion far-reaching catastrophic consequences. Proclaiming that Trump is chosen by G-d is an egregious act of openly mocking G-d, because doing so implies that G-d approves of Trump’s numerous unrepentant actions,[vi] including news reports that he is a serial liar,[vii] a draft dodger,[viii] a convicted felon,[ix] a business cheat,[x] an instigator of an attempted coup against his own nation,[xi] and an abuser of women[xii]. There is a price to be paid for misusing G-d’s name for political purposes while at the same time hurting people who are made in the image of G-d.[xiii]

It is overwhelming to contemplate what is approaching on the horizon. When crisis after crisis hits America like waves eroding a seashore, Trump’s cronies will not know what to do. When there is a food shortage because there are not enough farm workers due to mass deportations,[xiv] who will go out to the field and do the work? Will Trump’s billionaire friends get their hands dirty? Since he opposes vaccines,[xv] what will an irrational RFK, Jr. (Head of Health and Human Services) do when confronted with another pandemic? Will he look to Trump for advice, who suggested that we should inject bleach into our veins during the Covid outbreak?[xvi] When people reach a point of desperation and go to the streets to protest, how long will it be before a merciless Kristi Noem (Secretary of Homeland Security) sends in the troops to violently suppress protestors, shooting them like she shot her disobedient dog?[xvii] When a foreign power notices the fragility of American society and attempts to take advantage of it by militarily attacking USA interests, how long before an unprepared and unqualified Pete Hegseth (Secretary of Defense) folds under pressure, collapsing like a drunkard at a party?[xviii] People respond to crises according to their character, and none of Trump’s appointees achieved their roles due to tested character or achieved merit. Rather, they were given their roles as a reward for their blind loyalty to Trump.

Finally, when the fabric of American society comes undone and the USA is in shambles, Trump and his cronies will do what they always do when things go wrong. They will blame someone else, digging deeper into their entrenched positions until the world around them is on fire. They will create conspiracy theories in which they will proclaim themselves as poor mistreated victims. But that will be a lie. Instead, their arrogance and inhumane treatment of others will be their demise, and G-d will be the One who holds them accountable. A day of judgment is coming.

“You shall not lift up the Name of HaShem your God into falseness, for HaShem will not acquit anyone who lifts up His Name into falseness.” (Exodus 20:7)

[i] HaShem is the preferred translation for the Divine Name which is יהוה in Hebrew. The word HaShem is a transliteration of the Hebrew word השם which means “The Name”.

[ii] Psalm 94:3b-4, 7, 9-11. All passages from the Tanakh in this article are my translations from the Hebrew text.

[iii] I wrote about my view of the American political scene in the following article which was published January 25, 2021: The Blogs: American Carnage Is Defused, But for How Long? | Stephen S. Carver | The Times of Israel

[iv] Trump adds ‘king’ rhetoric to actions that critics say exceed his authority

[v] Donald Trump Suggests He Was Literally Anointed by God | Vanity Fair

[vi] While Trump claims that he does not need forgiveness (Trump on God: ‘I Don’t Like to Have to Ask for Forgiveness’ – Business Insider), the Scripture clearly indicates his behavior is immoral and contrary to G-d’s will. For example, compare Trump’s reported actions to the following verses from the Tanakh: “Lying lips are an abomination to HaShem, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22); “You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired worker are not to remain with you all night until morning” (Leviticus 19:13); “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14); and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am HaShem.” (Leviticus 19:18).

[vii] Trump’s false or misleading claims total 30,573 over 4 years – The Washington Post

[viii] Trump made up injury to dodge Vietnam service, his former lawyer testifies

[ix] Here’s what all 34 felony counts in Trump’s hush money trial mean : NPR

[x] ​USA Today investigation reveals Donald Trump has an extensive history of not paying workers | The Week

[xi] January 6 timeline: How Trump tried to weaponize the Justice Department to overturn the 2020 election | CNN Politics

[xii] Trump’s Treatment of Women Was His Original Abuse of Power | TIME

[xiii] “…when G-d created man, He made him in the likeness of G-d” (Genesis 5:1).

[xiv] Trump’s Trade and Deportation Plans Could Be Disastrous for the U.S. Food Supply

[xv] RFK Jr. Says He Doesn’t Know if COVID-19 Vaccines Work | TIME

[xvi] Fact check: Trump dangerously suggests sunlight and ingesting disinfectants could help cure coronavirus | CNN Politics

[xvii] Why Did Kristi Noem Kill Her Own Dog? Everything to Know | TIME

[xviii] Pete Hegseth’s drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, sources tell NBC News