Today’s Firestorm and the Declaration

Imprimus ^ | November 2025 | Larry P. Arnn

[EnderWiggin1970]

Two momentous things come together as the New Year approaches. The first is the 250th anniversary of the greatest document in political history, the Declaration of Independence. The second is the national firestorm that rages over its meaning.

Trump

The first of the contrary winds fueling our national firestorm is Donald Trump, who has closed out his first whirlwind year. Crime is down in several cities where he sent the National Guard. The economy is doing pretty well, and predictions are that it will continue, decline, or quicken (I think it will fluctuate). The stock market is high, and the range of predictions is the same. Iran and Hamas are weaker, thanks in vital part to Israel, and the cauldron of the Middle East is a little cooler. 300,000 fewer people work for the federal government (after the number had increased by 240,000 during the Biden administration). Military recruitment and defense spending are up, and Secretary of War Hegseth gave a stirring speech to the military about its purpose, which is to fight. Secretary of State Rubio has given some wonderful speeches about the purpose and manner of American foreign policy, and he and others shuttled around the Middle East at speed to put together a fragile yet promising peace deal. Secretary of Education McMahon has cut the Department in half and is after the rest. Secretary of the Interior Burgum is looking for ways to use the land, and Secretary of Energy Wright is looking for energy. Attorney General Bondi seems to know no fear. Vice President Vance frightened the daylights out of Europe, calling for the elimination of wokeness and for increased defense spending.

[EnderWiggin1970]

If anyone is not familiar with Imprimus from Hillsdale college, I would exhort them to get familiar with it. They publish a single article each month and it is always a deeply thought-provoking piece from a top scholar or leader.

[ProgressingAmerica]

Imprimus is excellent just like everything else from Hillsdale.

As to the Declaration, it will be good to revisit the Original Draft of the Declaration this 250th, as well as learning more about the lives of the signers.

Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” of the Declaration of Independence full audio

Short Nonfiction Collection, Vol. 066
https://www.archive.org/download/nonfiction066_1907_librivox/snf066_originaldeclarationofindependence_jefferson_hh_128kb.mp3

...

New audiobook release: Biographical Sketches of the Signers of the Declaration of American Independence

[Adder]

Great article!
Thanks!

Too bad we do not have a cadre of young people who can even read let alone understand the Declaration. That is to our detriment.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[paulcissa]

The only periodical that I look forward to. Everything else in the mailbox is trash.

[left that other site]

I get Imprimus in the mail every month, and devour it on the walk home from my mailbox.

Thanks for posting this...I haven’t gotten the latest one yet.