As President Donald Trump nears the end of his first month into his second term, he has taken significant and swift actions to transform various aspects of American political, social, and economic spheres, while also attempting to redefine the country’s global standing.
In these initial weeks, Trump has notably allowed Elon Musk, a billionaire from South Africa, to influence the dismissal of a substantial number of federal employees, even putting entire agencies at risk of closure.
His administration’s activities have largely eclipsed his stringent immigration policies and attempts to reshape social programs, focusing on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives while also restricting rights for transgender individuals.
Additionally, the president has instituted numerous tariffs on trade partners, threatening to implement more, prompting economists to caution that this could result in increased costs for American consumers and exacerbate inflation.
Looking at these first four weeks, one significant development has been the mass firing of federal employees.
Many workers, still in their probationary periods, received abrupt notifications of their terminations, with some given less than an hour to vacate their offices.
The sectors impacted include medical researchers, infrastructure specialists, foreign service agents, and even human resources staff responsible for handling the layoffs.
At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, established after the 2008 financial crisis for public protection, there are reports that the administration plans to nearly eliminate its staff and erase years of data.
However, a judge has mandated a pause in further agency dismantling until March 3.
While Trump aims to radically transform Washington, the potential fallout from these actions could significantly affect numerous federal employees nationwide and lead to a sharp increase in unemployment rates if layoffs occur en masse.
Legal opposition to Trump’s policies erupted on Inauguration Day and has since intensified, with around 70 lawsuits filed nationwide contesting his executive orders and plans to reduce the size of the federal government.
With minimal resistance from Congress, the judiciary has become the focal point for challenges against the administration’s agenda, and multiple judges have temporarily blocked various measures, including an executive order intended to revoke automatic U.S. citizenship for those born in the country and to grant Musk’s team access to sensitive federal information.
Despite some unfavorable outcomes for Trump from judges he appointed himself, he has suggested that reevaluating the judiciary could be necessary. In the meantime, the administration plans to appeal while criticizing these legal impediments as misuses of legal authority.
The state of the economy is also drawing concern as Trump’s policy shifts unfold.
Recent reports indicate that inflation increased by 0.5% in January, leading to a cumulative annual rate of 4.5% over the past three months, indicating rising inflation after a cooler period in 2024.
While Trump told his supporters that he would promptly address inflation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt admitted that the current economic indicators were worse than anticipated, attributing some blame to former President Biden.
The Commerce Department also announced a 0.9% decline in retail sales for January, hinting at diminishing consumer confidence and potential economic downturn.
Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s data on industrial production recorded a 0.1% drop in factory output, primarily due to a significant decrease in the production of vehicles and parts.
These figures could be temporary; however, the data from February is likely to be crucial in understanding the economic trajectory.
Trump’s established trade policies have also raised eyebrows, as he introduced new tariffs on imports from countries like Canada and Mexico following previous sanctions on China.
He indicated that more tariffs would be implemented soon to align with the charges imposed by other nations.
From the perspective of those countries, Trump’s approach appears inequitable, as he includes various costs like value-added taxes that could escalate total rates beyond standard tariffs in Europe.
Moreover, additional tariffs on vehicles, computer chips, and pharmaceuticals are also on the table, in addition to pre-existing tariffs on steel and aluminum.
It remains uncertain whether these trade fees serve as negotiation strategies or revenue-raising measures; thus far, Trump has described them as fulfilling both roles.
As Congress grapples with its diminishing authority, signs of dissent have begun to emerge.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described Musk’s initiative as “very exciting” and commended Trump for his “legitimate executive action.”
Nevertheless, even among Republican lawmakers, some are expressing their concerns, voicing opposition through letters and calls to protect funding for essential programs and services facing cuts.
Representative Carlos Gimenez urged the Homeland Security Department to reconsider blanket deportation policies affecting Venezuelan migrants shared by many in the Miami area, stating, “I’m not powerless. I’m a member of Congress.”
Democratic lawmakers are also joining protests outside of closed federal facilities, contending that Trump and Musk have overstepped their boundaries and pushing for legislative measures to safeguard various programs, even advancing articles of impeachment over Trump’s controversial plans in Gaza.
In the realm of foreign relations, Trump is pursuing a new international order, having reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin in hopes of escalating negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed to prompt discussions, and afterwards, Trump contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to facilitate dialogue.
This phone call represents a significant turning point in a conflict that has claimed countless lives and caused extensive suffering.
However, the path ahead appears to be challenging, as Zelenskyy insists on not meeting with Putin until a peace plan is thoroughly outlined by Trump.
The administration faces additional complexities, with Zelenskyy seeking security assurances from the U.S. and other nations, and insisting on establishing a plan for any potential peace agreement with Trump.
