South Dakota’s GOP Sen. Thune will have a much different job next year.

For the past two years our GOP Sen. John Thune has been senate majority leader. He has consistently bowed to the wishes of President Trump, never offering a discouraging word.

No Republican stood up to Trump.

That is one reason for the landslide election of enough non-Republican Senators to put the GOP in the minority in both houses of congress. Thune has spent the last two years attacking Democrats nearly every day. He quit working for ‘We, The People,’ several years ago. He has not protected us from Trump’s actions and words.

It is surprising that the Republican caucus selected him to be minority leader. Apparently, no other Republican wanted the job, kind of like nobody wants the helm when the ship is sinking.

In the House of Representatives, Republicans have selected Jim Jordan from Ohio to lead the Republican minority. In contrast to the low-keyed, circumspect Thune, Jordan is known for being a brash, in-your-face kind of guy.

If may be fun to watch Jordan and Thune as they try to remain relevant while leading a significantly diminished Republican presence in congress.

I wonder how much political protection they will provide lame duck Trump.

As of this writing, Democrats have not selected their leaders. It appears there is not much public support for minority leader Chuck Schumer in the Senate and minority leader Hakeem Jeffries in the House.

We, the people have spoken. Loudly. Are the people in Washington listening?

I am cautiously optimistic. I want our country to be decent again. I want our leaders to remember their oaths to the country, not their party.

The first 100 days of 2027 will be interesting.

Rick Knobe is a former mayor of Sioux Falls and a long-time radio talk show host, now retired.

Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons

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