AdminBenedict Arnold was a respected and brave officer in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He played a key role in several battles, including the pivotal Battle of Saratoga in 1777. His leadership was instrumental in the victory, but he suffered a severe leg injury during the fight, which left him sidelined for the next two years.
As the saying goes, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” and it seems the same can apply to idle legs. During his recovery, Arnold’s feelings of resentment and entitlement began to grow. He believed others were taking credit for his accomplishments and earning promotions he felt he deserved.
In 1779, Arnold made a life-changing decision: he married Peggy Shippen, a member of a wealthy and influential Loyalist family in Philadelphia. Consumed by jealousy and bitterness, Arnold ultimately betrayed the American cause. By at least July of that year, he had begun providing the British with critical intelligence on American troop movements, strengths, and ammunition locations.
In August 1780, George Washington, unaware of Benedict Arnold’s betrayal, entrusted him with the command of West Point, a critical post controlling the Hudson River. Within two weeks, Arnold agreed to surrender the fort to the British for £20,000 (equivalent to $3.5 million today). However, the plot was foiled when Major John André, Arnold’s British contact, was captured with incriminating documents. André was executed, and Arnold escaped to join the British, who commissioned him as a brigadier general. Despite the rank, Arnold was largely seen as dishonorable, and many soldiers refused to follow him.
After the war, Arnold spent the remainder of his life in London. While he gained the favor of the king, he was disliked by both British citizens and military leaders. In America, his name became synonymous with treason.
Arnold’s betrayal had the potential to drastically alter the war’s outcome. Reflecting on the plan, Washington remarked, “Such an event must have given the American cause a dangerous, if not a fatal wound.” This highlights the unique danger of betrayal—not from enemies but from those entrusted with critical responsibilities.
Fast-forward to modern times, Sylvester Stallone recently compared Donald Trump to George Washington. While not entirely accurate, Trump, like Washington, is fighting to carve a path through entrenched opposition. His primary adversary: the Swamp, a term for the bureaucracy that controls much of American life—from education and healthcare to justice and free speech.
Although Trump entered office with a mandate—winning both the popular vote and Electoral College, maintaining a Senate majority, and holding the House—his challenges began almost immediately. Senate Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, failed to back staunch MAGA leaders for key leadership positions. Instead, establishment figures like John Thune and John Cornyn, both with poor conservative records, took control. Even Rick Scott, a strong Trump ally, lost out due to backroom deals and secret votes orchestrated by McConnell.
The Senate’s reluctance to fully embrace Trump’s agenda extended to his nominees for key positions. While Trump proposed bold picks like Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, RFK Jr. for HHS, Tulsi Gabbard for DNI, and Tom Homan as Border Czar, opposition emerged not only from Democrats but also from Republican “moderates” like Collins, Murkowski, Tillis, and Ernst, whose voting records often align with left-leaning policies. These senators, who once confirmed Merrick Garland as Attorney General, now openly question Trump’s choices, undermining his efforts to dismantle the bureaucratic machine.
The resistance is not limited to the Senate. Across Washington, entrenched bureaucrats are “freaking out” over Trump’s picks, with threats of mass resignations and non-cooperation. While these reactions reflect fear of real reform, Trump’s success depends on Senate approval—a challenge, given the GOP’s tendency to align with establishment interests.
Historically, Democrats have supported their president’s agenda wholeheartedly, as they did for Obama in 2008. The GOP, however, often fractures, with many members prioritizing personal gain over party unity. Trump, unlike in 2016, seems prepared for this reality, assembling a team ready to take on the Swamp with determination and grit.
If Trump can maintain focus on solving America’s problems rather than appeasing elites, he might overcome the “Benedict Arnolds” within the establishment GOP—those more interested in self-preservation than meaningful reform. With clear strategy and unrelenting resolve, Trump has a chance to deliver the change he promised, even in the face of immense opposition.
