The Trump administration fights fire with more fire, anger with ever more punitive new immigration policies. At the same time, it threads the needle of today’s trade tariffs. In August, the administration deported hundreds of Venezuelans to a notorious prison run by the authoritarian Bukele regime in El Salvador. They accomplished this through the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the deportation of 10 more people. Much like these gang members, they too have been deported back to El Salvador. These moves have even caused a tremendous backlash and criticism as to why the administration is acting against immigrants and in favor of public safety.
At the same time, the administration is in full-blown crisis mode over its trade policy. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the administration exempted computers and smartphones from reciprocal tariffs. He warned that new duties would be imposed “in a month or two.” This exemption has already been described as temporary, further contributing to the mixed messages and confusion about the administration’s tariff strategy.
Immigration Policies Under Scrutiny
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have especially come under fire with the recent mass deportations of Venezuelans. To justify its draconian immigration policies, the administration has called on the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. They contend that this strategy is essential to the nation’s security. Secretary Rubio pointed to the deportation of alleged gang members. In doing so, this changing of the guard signals that the administration is serious about fighting crime by cracking down on immigration.
Opponents say these assertions are unproven. The Trump administration has continuously peddled the narrative that detained immigrants are dangerous gang members. None of these scurrilous accusations has held up under scrutiny in a court of law. Attorney Michael Barasch has represented thousands of first responders and survivors of the WTC attacks. He describes this kind of approach as “bureaucratic cruelty” and argues that the federal government should be clear and compassionate in its actions.
Beyond the problematic and controversial deportations themselves, many advocate for a more humane treatment of those affected by such policies. To combat the perceived threat of migrants, the administration has been implementing hardline and draconian immigration efforts. In turn, immigrant and human rights advocates are calling for accountability and transparency in the processing of these cases.
Tariff Strategy in Disarray
The Trump administration’s short-lived tariff strategy has jumped the shark into incoherence with the week’s back-and-forth between cabinet officials. During that announcement, Secretary Lutnick announced the exemption of several electronic devices from tariffs. He cautioned, too, the bite of new semiconductor levies will be felt soon. This administrative inconsistency has brought ambiguity for affected businesses while they wait to learn what their future operating costs will be.
Even President Donald Trump contributed to the confusion when he flatly denied ever having a tariff exemption on semiconductors. He argued that the tariffs are just being “reallocated to another Tariff ‘bucket.’” Tensions are building abroad, too—particularly on the trade front with China. As evidenced by Trump’s comments, his administration continues to fight itself in trying to establish an understandable policy on trade.
During a whirlwind news week, Trump drew considerable attention to his trade agenda. He proposed that any sense of relief businesses will experience will be short lived. Critics, including billionaire investor Ray Dalio, have expressed concern that Trump’s trade policies could lead to economic downturns worse than a recession.
Health Department Restructuring and Its Impact
The restructuring of the federal health department under the Trump administration has raised alarms among advocates for health care access. The program that provides cost-free healthcare to first responders and survivors of the September 11 attacks has recently undergone enormous turmoil. Though budget cuts struck a crippling blow, there’s been some success countermanding those cuts. Advocates for these people have been left scrambling about how to maintain these benefits.
Sean Barbella, our White House physician, just assessed the health of President Trump. He reassured all that Trump is “fully fit,” despite his long-term predisposition to high cholesterol and borderline blood pressure. He noted that, unlike many other vaccines, Trump is up to date on all the recommended vaccines. This news comes at a moment when public confidence in vaccine safety is already shaken by Trump’s prior advance of debunked research connecting vaccines to autism.
Advocates for 9/11 survivors have called the administration’s approach to health care programs misguided, lacking compassion and clear direction. They contend that the cuts have exacerbated burdens on those who put their lives on the line every day. These men and women put themselves in harm’s way to save others during one of America’s darkest hours.