President-elect Donald Trump is once again making waves, this time by advocating for the complete elimination of the federal debt ceiling—a move that has drawn sharp criticism for being anything but conservative. In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump called the debt ceiling “meaningless” and suggested its removal would be “the smartest thing” Congress could do.

“If the Democrats want to get rid of it, I would lead the charge,” Trump declared, aligning himself with a position typically championed by progressive lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Brendan Boyle.

The debt ceiling, a cap on how much the federal government can borrow to pay existing obligations, has long been a key tool for fiscal conservatives. It forces Congress to confront the nation’s growing debt and serves as leverage for budget negotiations. Trump’s suggestion to abolish it outright dismisses those concerns, claiming the ceiling is purely psychological and “doesn’t mean anything.”

Critics argue that Trump’s position undermines the very principles of fiscal responsibility. During his first term, Trump signed legislation three times to raise the debt ceiling, and he now appears to be flip-flopping on its importance. His call comes as Congress wrestles with a potential government shutdown and contentious negotiations over federal spending, further highlighting the legislative gridlock awaiting his administration.

Ironically, Trump’s stance aligns with Democratic proposals like the Debt Ceiling Reform Act, which aims to give the president unilateral power to lift the ceiling unless Congress objects. For conservatives who have long championed the debt ceiling as a guardrail against runaway spending, Trump’s embrace of its elimination marks a stunning departure from traditional Republican values.

In dismissing the debt ceiling as irrelevant, Trump risks alienating the fiscal conservatives who view it as essential to ensuring government accountability. His plan, critics warn, could open the door to unchecked federal borrowing—a prospect that should give pause to anyone who still considers themselves fiscally conservative.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)