There have been dramatic changes in virtually all aspects
of public life from the previous year when so many
political and economic conditions seemed negative and
incoherent.
The year 2024 concluded and 2025 began with a new
president and administration in Washington, DC.
President Trump has issued a very large number
of executive orders, some of which have been halted by
lower federal courts. Many, but not all of these actions
have reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and others
are pending.
The result has been to cancel many previous executive
orders, policies and programs of Trump’s predecessor
Joe Biden.
The year has ended with allegations of widespread
fraud in public programs in Minnesota, and this has
become the number one news story in the nation, and’
has been circulated all over the world. New fraud
disclosures continue to be made.
The dimensions of this fraud are still unknown, although
some national and state figures have contended that
it involves billions of dollars. State official are saying
these numbers are exaggerated, but several federal
agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security, and
the Small Business Agency have each sent investigators
to the state. This is likely to be a major story next year
as well.
It was an off-year for most state and national elections,
but there were local elections. Minneapolis and St. Paul
held elections for mayor. Incumbent DFL Mayor Jacob
Frey faced a serious challenge from three socialist
challengers, but survived to win another term.
Considered much less vulnerable, incumbent DFL St
Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, however, suffered an upset
defeat by Kaohly Her, a DFL state legislator who
entered the race very late, and was given little chance
by most observers to win. Both Frey and Her
are more moderate DFlers.
Elsewhere, Democrats won two governorships in
New Jersey and Virginia as well as and many city
elections across the country.
This year also had record number of retirements
from Congress and a large number leaving the
U.S. Senate. This will likely make the 2026 national
mid-term elections quite competitive, and although
Republicans are likely to keep control of the Senate,
many Democrats are optimistic they can take back
control of the House which the GOP now has by a
very slim margin.
With key Supreme Court decisions pending, a
hard-fought mid-term election imminent, an
uncertain economy and so many global trouble
spots and conflicts erupting, the coming year is
likely to be as interesting, or more so, than the one
just ending.
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Copyright (c) 2025 by Barry Casselman. All rights reserved
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