Well, Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term have caused literal apocalypse-level upheaval and … This unrest has sounded the alarm on several fronts to include all areas of American society.… firings, specifically targeting medical research, using the office as a weapon against his enemies. To academics, his model of governance is seen as disorderly and tyrannical. His administration’s actions have not only sparked debates over free speech and civil liberties but have raised concerns about the future of democracy in the United States.
Throughout this public health crisis, Trump has fired numerous committed HHS scientists and physicians. They were developing the most important medical research to cure diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. This unprecedented action has sent shockwaves through the medical community, raising concerns about the future of medical advancements. Experts say that if successful, these moves might create far-reaching consequences for public health advocacy and engagement.
In a striking warning, Trump characterized the current state of American discourse as a “five-alarm fire,” emphasizing threats to free speech, educational integrity, and the right to protest. His incendiary rhetoric raises the stakes and widens the divide among different ideological factions across the country, adding more complexity to the fractious political environment.
Moreover, Trump has enacted slashes to key government programs and agencies, including the Department of Education, which relies on congressional funding. Educators and advocates alike are blasting these cuts. They contend that such reductions directly attack public education and deny millions of students access to invaluable educational opportunities around the country.
There’s another, more insidious element in play—Trump’s foreign trade policy, which analysts on both sides of the aisle have described as chaotic. We blame his trade war – most notably his tariffs on China – that have hiked costs to American consumers. This sharp increase undermines his numerous campaign pledges to bring costs down. The administration’s economic strategies have raised fears of a looming recession, despite initial assertions that they would benefit American workers.
And if you count executive orders and such as well, Trump has exceeded 135 in his first 100 days in office. This rate easily surpasses that of any other president over the same time period. This has allowed him to go over Congress’ head on many important matters. As such, it poses a more existential challenge to the balance of power in our federal government.
Trump’s move to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 has already drawn fierce rebuke. Ever since its passage, many have worried about its impact on civil liberties. This act further enables authorities to deport immigrants without due process. It even goes so far as to call for sending alleged gang members to prisons in El Salvador, defying court orders. Unfortunately, this move is part of a larger pattern from his administration to centralize authority and vilify those they consider opponents.
Many critics have already recognized that Trump’s presidency has become dangerously authoritarian in tenor. They argue that he is pushing the world’s oldest continuous democracy towards an environment that mirrors regimes often seen in other parts of the world. This transition has led to much hand wringing from pundits and historians on both sides of the aisle.
Trump’s first day in office included controversial pardons for nearly all individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, further exacerbating divisions within the country. His willingness to shield those who participated in an event widely viewed as an attack on American democracy has raised questions about accountability.
Under Trump, the Oval Office has shrunk to an astounding level. It now features gold-framed portraits of American statesmen filling the niches, a testament to a more ostentatious and personal style of governance. Critics say that this is just the latest example of a break from presidential decorum and an obsession with appearance over policy.
As Trump moves deeper into the business of going after enemies—real and imagined—his administration has had a remarkable low tolerance for unrest. The ex-president evidently continues to fume over his 2020 election loss. He’s facing deepening legal troubles linked to his actions as an officeholder. This vendetta-driven approach to governance has caused some to refer to his administration as one of revenge and retribution.
Political observers note a stark contrast between Trump’s focused agenda and instances of reckless incompetence throughout his administration. Some observers argue that this toxic combo is a product of a cabinet chosen for loyalty. They insist that experience and the capacity to provide essential checks on power were sidelined in this selection process.