In the world of politics, it’s easy to lose count of the “dumbest decisions” because, let’s face it, there are plenty to go around. But when Donald Trump calls the 2023 debt ceiling extension “one of the dumbest political decisions made in years,” it’s worth taking a closer look. For once, I find myself nodding in agreement with the former president—not because I always agree with Trump, but because this particular critique feels spot-on.

The debt ceiling, as most of us know, is supposed to be a safeguard, a fiscal “speed bump” to slow government spending. But in 2023, that bump got flattened when then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy brokered a deal with President Joe Biden to kick the can down the road until 2025. The reasoning? Avoid a messy fight and a potential government shutdown. The result? The Democrats get to delay any tough fiscal conversations until after the Biden administration’s term, while Republicans lose a key negotiating tool.

In Trump’s words, this was like handing over your wallet and saying, “Just bring it back whenever.” It wasn’t just a bad decision; it was politically tone-deaf.

Playing Politics with the National Debt

The national debt isn’t some abstract number that only Washington insiders care about. It’s a real and growing threat to our country’s financial stability. As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us—our money, our resources, and yes, our government. Proverbs 22:7 reminds us: “The borrower is servant to the lender.” Right now, America is borrowing at a rate that makes even spendthrifts blush.

By agreeing to this extension, McCarthy essentially handed Democrats a free pass. Instead of forcing a conversation about runaway spending, Republicans allowed the Biden administration to avoid accountability. And what happens in 2025 when the bill comes due? Will our children and grandchildren be the ones left holding the bag?

What Should Have Happened

If we’re going to talk about dumb decisions, let’s talk about missed opportunities. Republicans should have used the debt ceiling negotiations to demand real, meaningful cuts to wasteful spending. No more pork-barrel projects or bloated budgets. No more pretending that money grows on trees or that we can print our way out of trouble.

But Democrats aren’t off the hook either. They’ve consistently pushed for more spending with little regard for the long-term consequences. Biden and his team should have taken this opportunity to show fiscal responsibility. Instead, they played politics, kicking the problem into the future and hoping it’ll be someone else’s headache.

The Bigger Picture

This whole fiasco is a reminder of why so many Americans are disillusioned with both parties. Republicans talk a big game about fiscal responsibility, but when push comes to shove, they cave. Democrats promise to care for the needy but ignore the long-term damage their policies inflict on the very people they claim to help.

Trump, for all his flaws, is right to call out this nonsense. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to tackle tough issues head-on, even if it means taking some political hits. We need men and women who understand that fiscal discipline isn’t just good politics—it’s biblical.

A Path Forward

So, what’s the solution? For starters, let’s stop pretending that endless debt is sustainable. Washington needs a dose of common sense and some old-fashioned accountability. Both parties need to prioritize the American people over their political ambitions. And as Christians, we should pray for our leaders while also holding them accountable to higher standards.

After all, Luke 14:28 says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” It’s time for America to start counting the cost.

In the meantime, let’s hope this so-called “dumbest decision” serves as a wake-up call for better leadership—because if it doesn’t, the next decision might be even dumber.