Critics claim that President Trump’s tariff increases have reduced the United States’ global economic dominance. Combined with his dismantling of federal services, this has caused anxiety and chaos among American citizens.
Before the November 2024 presidential election, many citizens were concerned that voting for Trump could threaten American democracy. Observations from his first two months in office suggest emerging signs of authoritarianism. A dictator requires absolute power and loyalty from subordinates. If betrayed, he seeks retribution against those who don’t comply, including his perceived enemies. This has already happened and continues to occur.
On April 10, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to investigate Christopher Krebs and Miles Taylor, both former officials at the Department of Homeland Security. After the 2020 election, Taylor wrote a book criticizing Trump’s ability as president. While Krebs vehemently refuted Trump’s claims that the 2020 presidential elections were fraudulent. Both men are Republicans and were initially hired by him during his 2016 term in office.
Trump’s immigration deportation policy allows ICE officers to arrest and deport legal and illegal immigrants without due process, which is unconstitutional. Mr. Garcia, a legal immigrant who has lived in America for over 13 years, was wrongly arrested and sent to a prison in El Salvador. His wife and three children are trying to get him released with the help of an attorney but have not been successful.
The Trump administration admits he was mistakenly arrested but has not acted on the Supreme Court’s ruling for his release. This refusal appears not only immoral to many citizens, but his defiance to comply to a Supreme Court order, is unprecedented.
Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has terminated thousands of federal workers, increased tariffs affecting international trade, and informed universities about the potential withholding of federal funds unless they adhere to Trump’s specific curricular requirements and student protest guidelines. Columbia University complied with his demands, while Harvard University did not. Thus, keeping academic freedom in the hands of educators not politicians!
As of this date, President Trump has not fulfilled his promise to reduce grocery and housing costs on day one of his presidency. His policies and achievements so far exhibit a leadership style with authoritarian tendencies that overshadow democracy and personal freedoms. If this concerns you, then express your opinions. Contact the White House via email or your local representative at their town hall meeting site.
John White
Midway