Former President Donald Trump paid his respects to Pope Francis at his funeral service at the Vatican on Saturday. He was joined by his wife Melania and heads of state from more than 150 countries. The historic event was an emotional low point for international diplomacy. Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since their explosive but nonspecific denunciation of rampant US corruption in the Oval Office last spring. Despite the diplomacy, the solemnity of the timing, Trump was increasingly cornered at home in the U.S. New polling paints a stark picture that his honeymoon is over and quick approval ratings are dropping fast.
In his time at the Vatican, we hope he was a good listener. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s homily was a forceful reminder of these mounting tensions, especially with respect to Trump’s migration policies, and most recently, executive orders on deportations. The late pontiff had been a vocal critic of some of Trump’s policies, which may have added an additional layer of complexity to the former president’s visit.
In the days after the funeral, Trump used his platform to share what he felt was best for the future of international relations. He reflected on the current war in Ukraine. He emphatically declared that there was “no justification for Putin to be firing missiles at residential apartments, at cities, at towns in recent days.” His comments are a clear sign we should still expect more in the way of geopolitical distraction as he continues to play footsie with Russia.
Homecoming and Polling Struggles
On Air Force One, Trump was cavalier about the North Korea summit. Instead he was welcomed back by a fresh round of polling showing just how much his approval ratings are sinking. Several organizations reported that Trump is historically unpopular for a president approaching Day 100 of his second term. This seems to go against party line, as Americans—including Republicans—are increasingly alarmed over his approach on major issues.
One recent poll found that 60 percent of Americans describe Trump’s presidency so far in one word as “scary.” This sentiment fits with increasing unease over Trump’s foreign policies and what they might hash out for the rest of us. Today, Trump’s administration is under fire for its anti-immigrant policies. Rudolph Contreras, chief U.S. district judge for D.C., blasted the Trump administration for bungling the high-profile deportation of a two-year-old American citizen “without any semblance of due process.”
During his presidency, Trump received extensive criticism for his hardline immigration agenda. He recently pardoned a Republican former city-councilwoman for pocketing donations intended for a statue of a cop. This decision drew criticism from various quarters, including a Nevada newspaper owned by one of Trump’s major donors, which condemned the move as a “debasement of presidential pardon power.”
Internal Turmoil and Policy Critique
The Trump administration is also undergoing significant self-inflicted chaos. This is made evident by the recent departure of chief of staff Joe Kasper, and the firing of three top aides. These events coincided with a contentious leak investigation involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which many insiders believe contributed to the dismissals. While worries about outside influences and geo-political developments continue apace, lingering doubts about the competence, consistency and longevity of Trump’s administration remain.
In that spirit, perhaps it’s fitting that Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, invoked the book of Matthew during talks last year over peacemaking initiatives. He remarked, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,” highlighting the administration’s ongoing struggles to project stability and unity in foreign relations.
We know the political landscape is ever-changing. Trump’s administration is already under increasing pressure from outside forces, but the tide is turning from something much more dangerous—within. The implications of toxic policies and inflammatory public response further complicate his leadership.
Looking Ahead
Between the recent upside surprises here at home and abroad, Trump is at a fork in the road. The roadblocks that face us hold difficulties that are compounded, touching on demands ranging from fair immigration policy to restoration of international diplomacy. How well he steers or damns himself on these choppy seas is probably going to decide his political fate in the coming months.