Richard Wolf, a veteran journalist with a distinguished 45-year career, penned a deeply personal and impassioned piece detailing how his family has been seemingly targeted by what he perceives as President Donald Trump’s retributive policies. Wolf, who covered the White House, Supreme Court, and Congress for USA TODAY, expresses bewilderment and concern over the potential ramifications of Trump’s actions on his loved ones.
The core of Wolf’s argument centers on the idea that his family, through their chosen professions, embodies the very values and institutions that Trump appears to be undermining. He paints a vivid picture of a family dedicated to public service, education, healthcare, and social justice. His wife, a recreation therapist, dedicated her career to running community service programs for AmeriCorps, fostering a spirit of civic engagement among young people with and without disabilities. His daughter, a lawyer, works at an international law firm, an industry that has been targeted by the Trump administration with threats of losing federal contracts unless they provide free legal services for the president’s favored causes. His sisters and brothers-in-law are social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, all working to address the mental health needs of individuals and communities. His nieces and nephews are mostly educators, shaping the minds of future generations. And his son, despite being on the autism spectrum, is a tax-paying, contributing member of society.
Wolf highlights specific policy decisions made by the Trump administration that directly impact his family members. He notes the administrative leave placed on most of AmeriCorps’ staff, jeopardizing his wife’s life’s work. He points to the threats against law firms employing his daughter, forcing them to choose between their professional obligations and political alignment. He expresses dismay over the proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the declared war on Harvard University, where his brothers-in-law have spent their careers as leading experts in their respective fields. He also criticizes Trump’s plan to eliminate the entire Department of Education, which would have far-reaching consequences for his nieces and nephews working as K-12 educators.
The author makes his argument against Trump’s policies by showing how the administration’s decisions directly negatively affect his family and all of society. Wolf’s argument becomes increasingly personal when he addresses the rhetoric surrounding autism. He expresses outrage at the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on autism, which he sees as demeaning and inaccurate. He directly refutes Kennedy’s assertion that autistic individuals are incapable of contributing to society, pointing to his own son, who is a working, tax-paying citizen and an accomplished golfer.
Wolf argues that Trump’s actions are not only misguided but also indicative of a broader trend of retribution and political vendettas. He questions why his family, who have dedicated their lives to serving the public good, should be targeted. He asserts that they have not contributed to the national debt, the budget and trade deficits, or the crime rates in cities. He emphasizes that his family has played no part in the issues Trump claims to be addressing through his policies.
The author is baffled by the President’s choice to target him and his family when all they have done is contribute to society through careers that help people. Wolf suggests two potential paths forward. First, he hopes that Trump, if sincere in his claim that he is not seeking retribution, will intervene and stop those within his administration who are pursuing these policies. Second, he places his faith in the American electorate, expressing optimism that the 2026 midterm elections will bring about a change in leadership and a rejection of retribution in favor of liberation.
Wolf concludes by reaffirming his family’s commitment to the noble causes they have always embraced: education, healthcare, civil rights, social justice, and a free press. He expresses hope that these values will once again be allowed to flourish. He underscores the value of his work and the work of his family members. He reiterates that their family and their work, has never sought to harm anyone, only to help others. He hopes that the readers will see the value in their work and consider their side of the argument.
The author implores readers to recognize the danger that Trump’s policies pose to their own communities. He argues that attacks on public health, higher education, and the legal profession will inevitably undermine the well-being of all Americans. He fears that the negative consequences of Trump’s policies will be felt by all Americans.
Wolf’s piece serves as a powerful critique of the Trump administration’s policies, told through the lens of personal experience. It is a testament to the dedication of public servants and a call for a return to values of compassion, understanding, and social justice. He urges readers to consider the broader implications of these policies and to recognize the importance of protecting the institutions and values that underpin a healthy and thriving society.
He warns that without a change in course, the legacy of the Trump administration will be one of division, retribution, and a disregard for the well-being of the American people.
