"Bringing back practicality and immediacy to the administration of the federal government"
In the realm of American governance, the concept of common sense has taken centre stage in recent discussions. This practical, straightforward reasoning, aimed at making government more effective and responsive to citizens' needs, has become a focal point of debate, particularly in relation to the actions of President Donald Trump.
On February 28, 2025, President Trump and President Vlodymyr Zelensky held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington D.C. This meeting, televised live, has been referred to as "highly contentious" by Google. Staff writer Anna Lucci, covering the event, expressed surprise at the notification.
However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, delivering the first briefing from the Trump White House, asserted that Trump's actions represent "common sense" governance. Leavitt also mentioned that President Trump has taken over 300 executive actions since taking office, some of which, if interpreted in a certain way, could be considered harmful or unjust, such as imposing disastrous tariffs, suspending cancer treatment, and expanding expedited removal without court hearings. Anna Lucci questioned the definition of "common sense" in this context, implying that some of Trump's actions could be seen as impulsive or even harmful.
Anna Lucci, in her role as '28 Opinions Editor, wrote about a different matter entirely - doing a large load of laundry as a full-time college student with an undiagnosed viral illness. In a separate piece, she also wrote about the meeting between Trump and Zelensky.
Historically, the term "common sense" is associated with Thomas Paine’s influential 1776 pamphlet, which used clear, accessible language to argue for American independence. Paine’s pamphlet exemplifies how common sense ideas—those rooted in reason and the lived experience of the people—can inspire democratic governance and the rejection of hereditary monarchy, favouring liberty and self-determination.
In Federalist Paper No. 78, published on May 28th, 1788, Alexander Hamilton declared that the judiciary branch is the least dangerous branch of government to hypothetically threaten the rights enumerated in the Constitution.
Contemporary campaigns emphasize the need for a new governing philosophy grounded in common sense to fix endemic failings through better legal frameworks, streamlined government, and greater oversight—all requiring practical, commonsensical approaches to public policy. Common sense in American governance embodies both a principle of pragmatic, accessible reasoning in policymaking and a historic rallying cry for democratic freedom and accountability to the people.
Leavitt further claimed that Trump's actions have secured nearly $1 trillion in U.S. investments. Leavitt also stated that illegal alien rapists, gang members, and suspected terrorists have been deported from the U.S. under Trump's administration. Anna Lucci, in her role as '28 Opinions Editor, expressed frustration about having accomplished a large task.
The debate surrounding common sense in American governance continues, with differing interpretations of what constitutes common sense and how it should be applied in policymaking. As the country navigates complex issues, the concept of common sense remains a guiding principle, inspiring both hope for practical solutions and concern for potential unintended consequences.
[1] Lucci, A. (2025). Common Sense in American Governance: A New Governing Philosophy. The Daily Journal. [2] Paine, T. (1776). Common Sense. Philadelphia: Robert Bell. [3] Hamilton, A. (1788). The Federalist No. 78. The GPO.
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