VIEWPOINT | It’s time to retire Trump rubberstamp Sen. Rounds

President Donald Trump says voters should consider the upcoming mid-term elections to be a referendum on his presidency. Pretend I’m on the ballot, he asked.

I agree with the president. His presidency — specifically, whether or not his presidency benefits our country and its citizens — must be considered a central factor in November’s national office elections. At stake is how the federal legislative branch not only supports but also provides checks and balances to President Trump.

During the past two years, only a handful of Republicans in the Senate or House have demonstrated telltale resistance to Trump’s problematic political agenda and personal pursuits. I believe this lack of proper oversight is accurately described as a dereliction of duty. Sen. Mike Rounds falls into that category. He has not objected to or resisted presidential actions that harm South Dakotans and the nation.

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Beth Morey1 month ago

I would vote for anyone else before I would vote for Rounds. He seemed like a nice person until Trump lost the 2020 election. Now, he avoids his constituents. An automated receipt email is the only response from his office since the new "improved" Trump regime began.

Dennis Riswold1 month ago

Are you better off today under Republican leadership vs the Democrat Party President Joe Biden 4 years? Answer is yes! Stop your whining and get to work. Sounds like you’re watching to much fake news like CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC for example. Sheep.

I care1 month ago

Donald Trump is a vile man, and his actions have all been self-serving at great cost to you, me, our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I am extremely disappointed and angry that those representing South Dakota in Washington have chosen to place that vile man, his family and billionaires ahead of truth, integrity, decency, their own South Dakota constituents and our great nation by condoning his behavior or even encouraging his actions. Why, Mike Rounds?

Dean Nasser1 month ago(edited)

Google AI analysis: Query: What is the percentage chance that Mike Rounds would vote against President Trump on matters the President said were important to him even if Rounds disagreed with the action? ---AI Overview (shortened due to 1000 word comment limit): ---According to political tracking data and congressional vote studies, the statistical chance that U.S. Senator Mike Rounds would vote against a priority explicitly stated by President Trump is 0% based on recent legislative sessions.*** ---Key Voting Metrics 2025 Trump Score: According to legislative tracking by VoteHub and CQ Roll Call, Mike Rounds voted in alignment with Donald Trump's stated positions 100% of the time during the 2025 congressional session….*** ---Voting vs. Public Disagreements While the statistical probability of an actual "no" vote on major legislation is essentially zero, Rounds has occasionally expressed public disagreement or hesitation before ultimately falling in line:… "Puppet" fits.

SFmama41 month ago

We need a change. If nothing else I want a Congress member who is willing to hold town halls and debate their opponent. The arrogance that Sen. Rounds thinks he doesn't have to is the final straw!

The Heart of Everything1 month ago

Nicely said and spot on—if you think Round and his supporters aren’t nervous, prepare for an onslaught of “Bengs is a Democrat” and “Bengs is a socialist” and “Bengs is a communist” rhetoric funded by out of state dark money. Consider this:

“It is by character and not by intellect the world is won.” -Evelyn Beatrice Hall

This is what Bengs offers—and I’d argue he offers both, character and intellect. This is the unacknowledged issue with artificial intelligence, it does not and cannot possess character, no morals, no understanding of right and wrong. It is why it cannot be trained not to jump and bypass guardrails and safeguards. This is what Rounds offers by his support of the most corrupt administration in history—no character and no guardrails to prevent the destruction of our democratic republic and his unabashed support of AI simply reinforces that he does not understand the importance of character. No thanks.

Dennis Riswold1 month ago

Funny!