Former President Donald Trump is back in the news this week for his proposed changes to security clearances and attention to rising energy costs. In March, Trump revoked security clearances for several prominent Democrats and critics, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Unfortunately, this move is part of a larger trend of retaliation against critics and enemies real or imagined. Notably, it goes after former Congress members Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger as well as New York AG Letitia James.
Yet the Trump administration is equally under fire on national security for its erratic, hyper-politicized approach. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came under fire after revelations that one of its speechwriters was tied to extremist hate speech on the internet. Trump’s administration continues to emphasize a rigorous vetting process, claiming it will seek out “anti-American” views on social media when evaluating applications from individuals wishing to enter the United States.
Rising Energy Costs Amid Controversies
Since Trump came into the political limelight again, household electricity bills have already skyrocketed by 10%, a recent report found. The report uses these increases to point out that Trump has promoted the data center boom and has directed regulatory cuts at clean energy projects. Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted that high prices would create “a mortal political danger to the GOP.” This issue has the potential to shape the forthcoming midterm elections in a big way.
Wright attributed the premium increases to Democratic policies. He argued that these decisions have shifted unprecedented fiscal burdens onto American families. Now Trump’s own controversial policies and changing market conditions are meeting in a perfect storm of destructive consequence. Energy costs are one of the administration’s biggest critics’ favorite punching bags as a result.
“You have my assurance, and I’m president.” – Donald Trump
Security Guarantees and Foreign Relations
Beyond our own domestic troubles, Trump has squandered major security guarantees to Ukraine while it fights the war of the future against a belligerent Russia. Our European allies have welcomed these reassurances as a substantial new breakthrough in stopping the Kremlin’s aggression. Trump has ruled out deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine to enforce any potential peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His adversarial fusillades remain tempered by strategic realism. He definitely has been a friend to Ukraine. He acts to avoid military intervention, often seeking to promote U.S. national interests and values while maintaining international security.
Controversial Intelligence Practices
Barring the revocation of security clearances from the ranks of opposition, there is little else from Trump’s administration that has stirred as much controversy. Last year, serious allegations emerged regarding the manipulation of crime statistics in Washington D.C. In the wake of this shocking and extraordinary conduct, federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation. These moves sharpen scrutiny over how Trump has governed thus far, especially regarding the use of intelligence.
Critics such as former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard have rightly raised the alarm over politicizing intelligence while lowering our national security standards. She criticized the administration for actions that threaten the integrity of intelligence operations:
“politicizing and manipulating intelligence, leaking classified intelligence without authorization, and/or committing intentional egregious violations of tradecraft standards.” – Tulsi Gabbard
This ongoing scrutiny underscores the complexities and challenges facing the Trump administration as it navigates both domestic and international landscapes.