(Morris Macmatzen/Getty Images)The GOP has, for decades, portrayed itself as a champion of “free markets.” The party’s definition of free markets turns out to be pretty confusing, though. The Trump administration has taken action or raised questions in all these areas — some in just the past week. On Friday, for instance, Trump ordered the Energy Department to keep afloat ailing coal-fired and nuclear plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — four of whose five members were appointed by Trump — nixed an earlier effort in January. Undeterred, Trump is now defiantly claiming that “national security” requires bailing out his political allies in the coal industry.

Source: Washington Post June 04, 2018 23:58 UTC