Third Way: Weaponized Incompetence As Political Strategy
max leter
Weaponizing incompetence involves performing a task or duty so incredibly ineptly, that those who relied on you to do said task begin to expect less and may even, in certain circumstances, stop assigning you these responsibilities at all. I.e. situations where one party gives very little and attempts to lower the expectations of the other so as to avoid their share of responsibility.
Across social media, weaponized incompetence is largely discussed in regards to intimate partner relationships; but what might this look like from a political perspective?
The relationship between constituent and representative could be called one of intimacy, in its distinct sense of trust and moral obligation to one another. The people vote for the causes and policies that they care about, and the candidate who most closely aligns with those. In return, said candidate upholds their end of the deal and works for the greater good of the people that they represent. However, sometimes, these representatives choose not to make such an honorable choice and instead favor a method of political strategy so stupid, it almost comes right back around to being smart.
The use of weaponized incompetence by politicians is immoral, unethical, dishonest, and just plain lazy. It is an approach to leadership that ensures the lowering of the public’s expectations so as to make oneself seem to be better and bolder when performing what can only be called: the bare minimum. It places the American people in an emotionally manipulatable state, so to speak.
At the risk of sounding like a record player stuck on the “greatest hits” of the Republican party, one must acknowledge the MVP of weaponized incompetence as a political strategy; none other than President Trump. The actions of the President lead one to ask the question: is he truly as incompetent as he seems and weaponizing it for his own gain, or is he simply unfit to do his job?
Miles Taylor, expressed his support of the latter theory in a book titled A Warning published in 2019, wherein he initially sported an anonymous identity. Within it, he likens President Trump to “a twelve-year-old in an air traffic control tower, pushing the buttons of government indiscriminately, indifferent to the planes skidding across the runway and the flights frantically diverting away from the airport”. Such a vivid statement is alarming no matter who it comes from, but in this case, it is being delivered by someone with a certain awareness and closeness to the situation that many do not have.
Taylor served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Homeland Security from February to September of 2019. His role as a senior official at such a crucial time in Trump’s first term, offered Taylor a unique and frightening front row seat to the mayhem. He further discusses the chain reaction of the destruction of the President when he states that “senior administration officials considered resigning as a group last year in a ‘midnight self-massacre,’ but decided such an act would do more harm than good”. If a large number of people working under the same person all consider quitting at once rather than toil further under such leadership, it might be time for said leader to do some HEAVY self reflection. Just a thought.
Taylor is not alone in his frustration with the President’s flagrant leadership style. Many others will not go silently into this night either, with individuals such as American comedian and talk show host Rosea O’Donell speaking out against the inane acts of one Donald Trump.
O’Donell and Trump have had a long time feud, stemming from a 2006 incident wherein O’Donell criticized Trump for his handling of the underage drinking and partying of then Miss USA Tara Conner. Since then, Trump and O’Donell have been at each other's throats with insults being hurled from both sides.
This feud came to a head in 2025 when President Trump posted to his Republican social media site, Truth Social, stating, “Because of the fact that Rosie O'Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship. She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”. O’Donnell’s reply is nothing short of amazing. She responded to the President's threats stating, “You want to revoke my citizenship? go ahead and try, king joffrey with a tangerine spray tan i’m not yours to silence i never was”. A fitting response for the idiocracy of President Trump implying that Rosie O’ Donell, a well known and beloved public figure is a threat to America, as if he is not the one holding the flint and steel that could burn this country down.
Other politicians, such as Pete Hegseth, have also been labeled incompetent and considered blights on the public image of the country. Hegseth, who is the current United States Secretary of Defense has been criticized by civilians and government officials alike regarding his disclosure of and attitude towards the war in Iran.
In March of 2026, United States Senator for Arizona, Mark Kelly raised questions regarding Hegseth’s involvement in potential Geneva Convention violations via a letter sent directly to the U.S. Department of Defense. This was prompted by Hegseth’s ‘No Quarters' comments made during a press conference regarding U.S. military operations within the country of Iran. The letter inquired as to whether Hegseth could expand on his comments; seeing as how, when taken in their historical sense, stood as instructions not to take prisoners, but rather to kill them.
Weaponized Incompetence has no place in any societal arena, but least of all in politics. When those tasked with running the nation decide that it is in their best interest to corrupt and manipulate it to elevate themselves, it only creates chaos and the death of democracy as it is known.