Election Impact
It has been a busy few days in post-election news in America:
- President-elect Donald Trump has completed his cabinet nominations. His first pick for Attorney General, now-former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew a day before the U.S. House Ethics Committee was set to release its findings on alleged sex trafficking and drug-related charges. Gaetz has denied the allegations but appeared to lack the votes in the U.S. Senate for confirmation. Trump quickly nominated former FL Attorney General Pam Bondi to replace Gaetz.
- Federal judges granted the dismissal of two pending criminal cases against the President-elect—the first related to actions surrounding the violence on January 6, 2021, and the second related to sensitive documents stored at Mar-a-Lago.
- The U.S. financial markets remain significantly higher after surging on news of the election outcome. Trump’s promise of tariffs injected some turbulence, but all major indices remain higher.
Analysis and eternal perspective: No matter your political perspective or the outcome of the most recent election, it can be challenging to maintain an objective view of the happenings in your world. It can also be challenging to delineate between that which warrants your time and energy, and that which does not. As a Jesus follower, these are exercises worth constantly completing in order to remain focused on the True and the beautiful, and in order to keep your impact focused on your Gospel mission.
To that end, no candidate or nominee should receive your unequivocal support or opposition. That fidelity belongs only to God, and we are instructed by scripture to allow the fruits of a person’s life to inform us of their character (Matt. 7:15-20).
As for the criminal cases against the President-elect, it was always clear the election would have a material impact on them. No person—including the President—is above the law, but a sitting President enjoys wide immunity (a two-edged sword recently reiterated by the U.S. Supreme Court). Thus, the voice of the electorate was expected to determine the course of these proceedings. In many ways, while the outcomes of the 2020 and 2024 elections were different (which impacts the perspective of many), they provide a good window into the strengths of self-governance. An election does not validate the actions of any party or candidate, but each one should empower the electorate to chart the next few steps forward.
Finally, financial markets, like governments of men, are fleeting. As Jesus followers, our resources come from God and belong to Him (1 Chron. 29:12-16). If your bottom line is flourishing, endeavor to be generous. If it is struggling, endeavor still to be generous! In this, you and I can remain steadfastly aimed at an impact beyond ourselves.
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.