U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (NC-13) (Courtesy photo)

The election of Donald Trump to a second term in the White House has caused a great deal of consternation for many Americans. While all caring and thinking people cling to hope that Trump will concentrate on governing and refrain from the acts of political vengeance and ideological extremism that he forecast during his campaign, the early signs – particularly the remarkably unqualified slate of cabinet nominees he has advanced – have not been encouraging.

So how can concerned leaders – Democrats, Republicans and independents – best monitor and respond to Trump’s actions? Recently, North Carolina Congressman Wiley Nickel offered an intriguing suggestion. He proposed that Democrats and their allies borrow an idea from parliamentary systems and form what’s known as a “shadow cabinet” to monitor and respond to the actions of the new Trump administration. And last week NC Newsline caught up with Nickel to discuss the idea.

Read Nickel’s recent op-ed in The Washington Post here.