In a political coup on Thursday, Donald Trump fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. This move highlights the divisions and tensions that have continued to roil his administration. This dismissal comes amid a flurry of dismissive, controversial proposals and decisions. Most alarmingly, conversations are in progress to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and re-impose tariffs on China. These changes underscore the capriciousness of Trump’s governing style. There’s no doubt he’s got a heavy lift as he juggles hot international waters with serious domestic challenges.
Ironically, in a shocking development, Trump may actually be the one to make an audacious move. He is considering eliminating habeas corpus, the legal protection allowing people to contest their detention. Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to the White House, explicitly acknowledged this thinking. It fits hand in glove with the administration’s wider, long-running initiatives to remold America’s legal architecture. Critics chastise the decision for trampling on basic freedoms. As legal experts and good government advocates have pointed out, it is a dangerous precedent for the rule of law.
Tariff Strategies and Trade War Implications
As the trade rivalry between the United States and China deepened, so too did the tariff confusion. Originally, he called for an 80% tariff on all Chinese imports just because it “feels right.” If finalized, this move would be a dramatic escalation in the ongoing trade war. In advance of the weekend meeting, he called for reducing the tariffs to 80%. This positive move is intended to reduce future tensions between the parties. This inconsistency leads one to question the administration’s broader, strategic trade vision. It also has a profound effect on the domestic industry and our standing in the international community.
The trade war that Trump started with his protectionist tariffs on imports is still sending shocked waves through the entire economy. And wrecking the deal’s tariff structure would threaten jobs by spiking costs for American consumers, economists have been warning for months. As the administration continues to negotiate with Chinese officials on these intricate issues, Trump’s unpredictable position will only serve to throw a wrench in the negotiations.
Personnel Changes and Political Maneuvering
Besides these changes in policy direction, a profound personnel shake-up is underway within Trump’s administration. The White House has decided to block Defense Secretary’s choice for a new chief of staff, opting instead to select a candidate aligned with Trump’s vision. This extraordinary step underscores Trump’s desire to shield Pete Hegseth from future accountability for any potential fuck ups. It egregiously highlights his intent to continue to dominate key federal appointments.
Additionally, in an effort to further Trump’s broader anti-democratic agenda, his administration is actively working to purge those who dare to oppose his agenda. This strategy has led to fears, even among experienced Washington hands, about politicizing previously neutral federal agencies and turning up the heat on the ossification of institutional integrity. On Wednesday next week, the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee will be hearing from former special counsel prosecutor Jay Bratt. They are salivating to find evidence of politicization in any federal criminal case against Trump.
Trump is not the only one making wooing Greenland headlines. He hopes to do this through a reinvigorated compact of free association. This move closely reflects promises and treaties already accepted by other Pacific Island countries. Second, and even more importantly, it illustrates Trump’s larger plan to increase American power globally. The proposal has received a largely confused response, with critics asking how in practice it would operate and what its effect would be.