WASHINGTON - In a world now familiar with chaos, the upheaval instigated by President Donald Trump has been particularly pronounced.
Trump, barely two months into his presidency, has significantly altered government operations, displacing tens of thousands of government employees, only to rush to rehire many for essential roles like overseeing the nuclear arsenal.
His erratic trade policies, including fluctuating tariffs, have unsettled financial markets. Following a tumultuous week sparked by anxieties about Trump’s escalating trade disputes and recession risks, U.S. stock markets showed signs of recovery on Friday yet still logged four consecutive weeks of declines.
Trump and his Republican allies are advocating for patience, arguing that the current market volatility is temporary and proclaiming that his disruptive policies will yield long-term benefits. GOP leaders are willing to provide Trump with the opportunity to showcase the effects of his early initiatives.
“He has been in office for just over, what, 50 days? Today marks the 51st day,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., remarked to reporters this week. “Let’s give the president a chance to let these policies unfold.”
Democrats warn that the turmoil unleashed by Trump could have lasting adverse effects on the economy, claiming he is undermining the very populace he promised to protect during his 2024 campaign.
“Trump is creating chaos within the federal government and the economy, dismantling federal programs that millions depend on, just to benefit billionaires like Elon Musk,” stated Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, leader of a fiscally moderate Democratic coalition.
“The ramifications of Trump’s chaotic economic policy are evident in nearly every aspect of daily life,” Schneider added.
Frustrated voters have attended GOP town hall meetings to voice their protests against government spending cuts backed by Trump and Musk, the billionaire Tesla proprietor who is spearheading the government downsizing initiative through the new Department of Government Efficiency.
With Trump’s approval ratings beginning to decline and GOP leaders advising against town hall events, Democrats like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the previous Democratic vice-presidential nominee, are conducting events in Republican-dominated areas to highlight the harmful effects they assert will result from Trump’s cuts.
Democrats are also setting their sights on the 2028 presidential election, hoping to regain the White House. Possible candidates mentioned include former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Meanwhile, Trump maintains that his strategy is sound and believes the nation is on a positive trajectory.
“I believe this country is poised for a boom,” he stated to reporters on Tuesday from the South Lawn of the White House, where he had converted the area into a car display to demonstrate appreciation for Tesla and Musk, who has faced scrutiny over his role in government downsizing.
“I could choose the easier path or the more challenging one,” Trump asserted. “The hard way is precisely what I’m doing. But the outcomes will be exponentially greater.”
Economic analyst Chris Lafakis described the approach taken by the Trump administration as unconventional.
“I have never encountered anything like this in my professional career as an economist,” Lafakis, who serves as a director at Moody’s Analytics, commented.
Federal law necessitates a multi-step procedure for changing regulations, which includes proposing new rules, seeking public input, and subsequently implementing a policy.
However, the briskness and scale of Trump’s actions have worked to his advantage, according to GOP strategist Mike DuHaime, a former political director for the Republican National Committee.
“Trump has moved at a breakneck speed, which has benefitted him since his opponents struggle to find a focal point,” DuHaime noted.
Since returning to office in January, Trump enjoys a period of relative public support to validate his policies, according to DuHaime.
The White House contends that Trump’s strategy is already yielding results.
“President Trump achieved historic employment, wage, and investment growth in his first term, and is on track to replicate that in his second term,” spokesperson Kush Desai remarked.
However, signs suggest that many Americans are becoming fatigued.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 57% of respondents believe Trump is being too erratic with his economic shake-up strategies. Additionally, around 70% of those surveyed - including 90% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans - expect that increased tariffs will lead to rising prices for groceries and other necessities.
Trump’s approval ratings have also dipped amid economic concerns, with a Quinnipiac University poll showing his approval at 42%, down from 45% a month prior. His disapproval rating stands at 53%.
“Voters are awaiting to see whether the tariff strategy will succeed or backfire,” DuHaime noted, “but concern is starting to show.”
The same sentiment applies to Trump’s foreign policy stance, as noted by DuHaime.
Ukraine, now in its third year of conflict with Russia, last week accepted a ceasefire proposal negotiated by U.S. officials. This followed weeks of disparaging remarks from Trump towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who instigated the conflict with his invasion, commented Thursday that he supports the ceasefire but won’t immediately agree to it, stating he seeks a “lasting peace” that addresses the underlying causes of the crisis.
It remains too early to assess whether Trump’s foreign policy decisions will prove effective or gain public approval, according to DuHaime, who added that by summer, the president will be responsible for any economic and foreign policy outcomes.
The GOP controls narrow majorities in both the House and Senate, pushing to advance Trump’s agenda quickly before attention shifts to next year’s mid-term elections.
Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, stated that there should be no surprise regarding Trump’s actions as he is following through on his campaign commitments.
While many perceive disarray, Nehls believes Trump is executing a meticulously planned agenda that he set during the 2024 election.
According to Nehls, Trump is empowered to take decisive actions owing to having a reliable team in place.
Marc Short, former chief of staff to ex-Vice President Mike Pence, suggested that much of Trump’s agenda resonates with the public, particularly his initiatives on immigration and government reduction.
“The major exception to this trend is his trade policies,” Short stated, noting: “If public confidence in the economy falters, it can undermine many other aspects of his agenda.”
Trump’s quick announcements of tariffs followed by temporary suspensions indicate he may lack full confidence in these policies, according to Short, who also noted that Trump’s approach has consistently been unpredictable since his first term.
The spending reductions proposed by Musk and his team have added to the public’s confusion, resulting in large-scale layoffs, unexpected communications from the government, and the dissolution of various agencies. Recently, the Department of Education, which Trump has indicated he wishes to abolish, halved its staff, leading to the termination of approximately 1,300 employees and leaving it unable to carry out its mandated responsibilities.
A federal judge in California recently ordered the administration to reinstate tens of thousands of probationary employees who had been dismissed across six departments, ruling that the firings were illegal.
Moreover, Trump has orchestrated some unusual spectacles since returning to power, including his recent White House event promoting Tesla in collaboration with Musk. Protests have erupted at Tesla dealerships, with incidents of vandalism occurring as a result. The company’s stock has seen a downturn amidst this backdrop.
In a surprising move, Trump cautioned at the White House function that any violence against Tesla would be categorized as domestic terrorism.
In a twist, several of Trump’s initiatives aim to reverse clean-air regulations introduced by Biden designed to promote the purchase of electric vehicles, including those made by Musk’s Tesla.
“I found that anecdote incredibly surreal and ironic,” Short commented regarding the Tesla White House promotion. “Conservatives have historically opposed taxpayer financing that supports electric vehicle companies. Yet, we witnessed a monumental promotion for such businesses right on the White House lawn.”
Nehls contended that the media has exaggerated the chaos instigated by Trump’s tariffs and the termination of federal employees, causing undue alarm. He referred to Trump’s remarks during a congressional address on March 4 in which the president suggested that while his tariffs may cause minor disturbances, the impact will be limited.
“Trump made it abundantly clear … there may be slight turbulence, but have faith and confidence in his ability to navigate this, and all will turn out well,” Nehls stated.
Nehls believes the markets will recover and that this policy is a vital step towards achieving equitable trade and revitalizing American manufacturing.
For many conservatives, Trump’s current actions materialize long-desired aspirations.
Tina Descovich, co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, expressed that she discussed dismantling the Department of Education nearly ten years ago during her campaign for a local school board seat. Recently, she participated in a briefing call with department officials to discuss impending budget cuts before they were publicly revealed.
The significant budget cuts have raised concerns about the government’s ability to execute various education programs. However, Descovich argued that these decisions were made thoughtfully to preserve essential functions.
On a broader scale, she asserted that Trump is delivering a meticulously crafted agenda. She highlighted that Trump’s allies spent years developing policies for implementation upon his return to authority, and these strategies are currently being activated.
“Transition can be challenging for constituents,” Descovich remarked, acknowledging that Trump signed an executive order at the White House banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Nevertheless, Descovich emphasized that the changes Trump is introducing are ultimately beneficial.
“The bureaucratic labyrinth of Washington is a challenging entity to confront,” she noted, but added that Trump is effectively addressing this issue. “This is the desire of the American public - to eliminate the swamp. It may be a bit uncomfortable and bumpy at times, but it is crucial for a robust future for America.”
Contributing: Sudiksha Kochi
[Collection]theunionjournal.com