The U.S. Army Chorus certainly made an impression after they sang "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the musical Les Misérables at the Governors Ball—and it seemingly went right over MAGA's heads.
The song, a standard from a musical that is at its heart about social injustice, includes lyrics like “Will you join in our crusade? // Will you be strong and stand with me?” as it explores the theme of an oppressed working class rising up against a despotic regime.
But that seemed to go completely over the head of Dan Scavino, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, who said it was a "great honor to attend" the event.
President Donald Trump—who, along with billionaire Elon Musk, is actively eroding checks and balances throughout the government—included the anthem in his 2016 and 2024 campaign events, but many on social media have pointed out the irony of his administration continuing to support its message now that he’s returned to office.
And that irony was very, very rich.
The army chorus' appearance came days after Trump issued an executive order expanding the president’s authority over independent regulatory agencies, bodies established by Congress to operate with a degree of independence from White House influence.
Notable examples of these agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission, responsible for safety warnings and product recalls; the Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates financial markets; and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which protects bank deposits.
The order directs the affected agencies to send any new regulations to the White House, establish White House Liaison offices, and “regularly consult with and coordinate policies and priorities” with the White House.
By asserting this new authority over these agencies, the order also grants the president and attorney general exclusive power to interpret laws for the executive branch. This move marks yet another example of Trump’s efforts to significantly broaden executive power.
