If the 2024 presidential election were held today, I would sit it out. I am, however, extremely likely to vote in the upcoming 2026 midterm and the 2028 general elections.
Trump threatens military action in Nigeria over ‘killing of Christians’
President Trump instructed “our Department of War to prepare for possible action” against the Nigerian government over “the killing of Christians.”
A year after the president election, I feel completely swindled.
I am a Libertarian who voted for Donald Trump in 2024, the first time I ever voted for a Republican for president, because he made efforts to listen and address our concerns. He came to our national convention, promised to stay out of wars and slash government spending and useless programs with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
But none of it happened.
The only thing Trump did do was pardon Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, which I am very grateful for, but he has fallen completely flat on his face on all of his other promises. Now he is going after libertarians like Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Rand Paul, both representing Kentucky. A complete betrayal.
I wish I sat out the 2024 election. But I will vote in 2026.
What DOGE found in terms of cuts was great, but right after that came the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and continuing resolutions that undid all of their progress by leaps and bounds.
OBBB is one of the largest spending packages in recent U.S. history, from the candidate who ran on cutting wasteful spending and is going after Massie and Paul because they recognized it for what it was. What DOGE tried to do was great and am supportive of the spending cuts that did come of it, but the fallout of the OBBB put a damper on all the progress made. Musk rightfully called it an abomination.
If the presidential election were held today – with the same candidates – I would sit out. I would not vote for Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian Party’s presidential nominee, because he is way too left-wing and alienating to a lot of libertarians. That’s why so many went to Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. There was a hope that they would be willing to listen to us, but unfortunately that is not happening.
I am, however, extremely like to vote in the upcoming 2026 midterm and the 2028 general elections. I feel that I need to do what I can to ensure liberty advances, which includes voting for Libertarian Party candidates or candidates who have libertarian values.
— Morgen Mogus, Parker, Pennsylvania
This piece was submitted as part of USA TODAY’s Forum, a new space for conversation. See what we’re talking about at usatoday.com/forum and share your perspective at forum@usatoday.com.
