Donald Trump is causing huge disruption in the political order here at home and around the world. His goal, he says, is to fundamentally change the United States’ role in the world. Trump is testing the waters of tariffs and other norms. Together, these two agenda items have him working toward this historic and fundamental change to government operations and U.S. foreign policy. His approach is that of a deep cultural revolutionary, a creative destructive force intent on breaking the mold, like a 21st century Cultural Mao Zedong. Trump is determined to reshape Washington’s influence within the US and globally, questioning long-held beliefs about borders, alliances, and America’s international responsibilities.
Unlike Sanders, is deliberately and actively seeking to do this. He’s been trying to use tariffs as a more effective tool for addressing global issues, such as our fentanyl crisis. He uses economic carrots and sticks to bring countries such as China along. His ambitions lay in stopping the influx of this poisonous substance. Trump’s strategy extends beyond trade, as he reevaluates America’s role on the world stage, challenging the moral belligerence that has characterized US foreign policy for over two decades. This reevaluation has a profound human and financial cost, leading Trump to call for a less extreme approach.
Opposite the orthodox wisdom, Trump does not see Russia as a threat to both the US and Western Europe. He shows little interest in defending countries such as the Baltics, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, and others in the region often referred to as the “stans.” Rather, on the global stage, Trump looks to steer America clear of quagmires like Ukraine and seeks to have Russia rejoin the international establishment.
Trump’s domestic agenda is equally ambitious. As a former small business owner, he is uniquely focused on cutting the bureaucratic red tape coming from Washington. This challenge has been met by each of his presidential predecessors. By going to cut layers of governance, Trump intends to make the federal government more efficient and responsive. This effort matches his overarching aim of fundamentally reordering Washington’s role in America.
The president’s unapologetically direct style has drawn comparisons to Mark Zuckerberg’s early approach at Facebook, which was characterized by the motto “move fast and break things.” Trump’s actions and rhetoric convey a similar willingness to disrupt established systems. His methods, while effective, have brought him criticism for being harsh and needlessly combative.
Trump’s vision for a more radical presidency challenges the notion of a leader who prioritizes reputation over action. In place of decorous presidential behavior, he would substitute disruptive game-changing initiatives that would redefine American leadership. This transformative agenda is set against a backdrop of political resistance, as Trump races against time to implement changes before institutional inertia stymies his efforts.