Former President Donald Trump is facing unprecedented challenges during his presidency, marked by a historically low approval rating and growing concerns over his governance style. At least when it comes to defense and transportation policy, as he nears an unprecedented 100 days in office. He is officially the least approved of any president over the last 8 decades. Yet the rollercoaster course of his administration has sparked arguments around his authoritarian bending and competency as a leader.
As thrilling as it is to read, Trump’s first promise to take dictatorial powers on “day one” has sparked intense backlash. Most observers contend that his dreams for authoritarianism have been brutally undercut by incompetence and a series of blunders. At least according to a new Monmouth University poll, which finds a full 75% of Americans believe that’s exactly what he is — an unequivocal failure. They see him as a would-be dictator.
The repercussions of Trump’s attempts at authoritarianism reach even into national security issues. That’s not all Mike Waltz, his national security adviser, recently made national headlines for. He accidentally invited a reporter into a private Signal group discussing sensitive military operations. This situation led many to question whether this administration had the competence or the care to handle sensitive, classified information at all.
Trade policies have been front and center during Trump’s presidency. He has left intact tariffs on China as high as 145%, with Beijing showing no signs of conceding to U.S. demands. His reckless trade war has disunited American allies. It has further resulted in the evaporation of trillions of dollars in the stock market, which has economists and business execs alike on edge.
Trump prevailed against the odds in every test to defeat Kamala Harris and win every swing state. He did take home the national popular vote victory for the first time, accomplishing that feat with less than 50% of the vote. All of these accomplishments seem eclipsed by the ongoing crises his administration has been forced to navigate.
On the executive action front And now for a record, trump has signed over 140 executive orders now. Despite that, around 50 of these orders have been challenged in courts, resulting in many of them being partially or completely blocked by judges. On the other hand, his administration’s ambitious promises —including the ability to quickly end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza — have not yet materialized, eroding the public’s trust even more.
Trump’s immigration policies have sparked controversy. His overzealous enforcement led to the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García. This Maryland man, a longtime resident with protected legal status in the US, was placed in Funes’ hellhole prison in El Salvador. Incidents such as these have raised awareness of abuses of power in recent years. Under the Alien Enemies Act, Trump sought to quicken deportations by severe due process concerns.
Yet another of the previous administration’s soft power capabilities is waning, underscored by the USAID closure, a key development agency. Critics have seen this as a withdrawal from world affairs at a time when they are more important than ever to international diplomacy.
With Trump’s unpopularity at an all-time high, protests against the president have exploded in cities and towns across America. The general public’s complaint to their leaders these days is about the unpredictability of what seems like a chaotic and unstable presidency.
“The first 100 days has far exceeded that of any other presidency in this country ever.” – Pam Bondi
Moreover, Trump’s assertive approach to expanding presidential powers has faced backlash, with 64% of respondents in a recent poll indicating that he is “going too far.” This response highlights the growing frustration from voters at his toxic leadership style and the threats it poses to American democracy.
Despite his efforts to present himself as a decisive leader capable of steering the nation through turbulent waters, Trump’s presidency remains embroiled in controversy and uncertainty. Controversial and illegal record executive actions run counter to public sentiment, revealing a stark political paradox. This moment challenges old faith in party loyalty more than ever before.