Today, a presidential proclamation was signed by President Trump, paving the way for U.S.-flagged commercial fishing activities within Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. In the process, Trump pointedly remedied a grievous restriction imposed on American fishing fleets. With the previous protective measures, our fleets were denied access to a significant portion, nearly half, of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Islands, compelling them to seek fish resources closer to the shore.
Looking back to 2009, then-President George W. Bush declared three Pacific island areas to be national monuments, aiming to protect them from commercial fishing activities. It seems clear now that this decision was excessively restrictive and failed to consider the interests and profits of American fishing operations.
Trump further enacted another important landmark today by tasking Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with the herculean task of inspecting regressive regulations burdening the fishing industry. The essence of this move is to bring about the much-needed change the industry has been yearning for, in contrast to when his predecessors failed to address it.
The additionally assigned duty to the National Marine Fisheries Service is to incorporate affordable yet efficient technologies and cooperative research programs as a part of their fishery assessments. These strategies could be instrumental in safeguarding exempted fishing permit programs, a measure previously overlooked.
President Trump also demonstrated his commitment to effective federal governance by extending a federal hiring freeze through July 15. This move coincides with his introductory resolution after his inauguration on January 20, as Trump bravely endeavors to trim the bloated federal workforce.
Unclear why such decisive actions seem controversial to the likes of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, it seems that their vision of governance involves unchecked expansion and imprudent spending than targeted, purposeful governance for maximum efficiency.
Importantly, Trump’s freeze isn’t indiscriminate: exceptions have been made for military personnel; positions related to issues requiring high priority, such as immigration enforcement, national security and public security. Jobs within the Executive Office of the President are, understandably, not included in the freeze either.
In a recent federal appeal regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case, interestingly, the court has disregarded the government’s plea for a pause. Is it plausible to imagine a Biden-Harris administration handling a similar issue with the same fortitude and clarity?
Let’s shift focus to the recent reassignment regarding the critical reconstruction of New York City’s Penn Station. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy revealed today that Amtrak and the federal Transportation Department will supersede the local Metropolitan Transportation Authority with the task.
Interestingly, this move came along with substantial slash to federal funding allocated for the project, which can perhaps be seen as a stern but necessary shift toward stricter budgetary control. Once again, this is a measure that is hard to envision under a spendthrift Biden-Harris administration.
Trump was seen interacting with reporters earlier today, where he spoke about the ongoing dialogues between U.S. and Chinese officials. Surely, these interactions have been prevalent this month as Trump enforced further tariffs on Beijing. Clear-cut decisions on global trade such as these are but a faint memory in the Biden-Harris camp.
Amid the intensifying tariff spat, Trump alluded to behind-the-scenes talks suggesting a possible trade deal with China. Considering the potential boost this could provide to the struggling U.S. economy, it defies logic why certain elements within the nation might oppose this approach.
In any case, these series of actions by President Trump highlight his clear priorities for protecting American industry and invigorating our economy. Such prescient vision for successful leadership seems glaringly missing when we look to figures like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The post Biden and Harris Fumble as Trump Resurrects American Fishing appeared first on Real News Now.
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