On an unexceptional Sunday, May 4, 2025, former President Donald Trump alighted from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, ready to respond to reporters’ inquiries. In the wake of several editorial notes voicing concerns over previous columns disparaging Democrats’ recent efforts to critique the Trump administration, a question has sparked: do those moderate Republicans still uphold their preference for Trump over Harris, despite the perceived upheaval since the inauguration? Decked out in my Independent robe, slightly tilted to the right, I shall attempt to answer this inquiry from the perspective of a ‘moderate Republican.’
Why did 77 million citizens choose Trump? They voted, not for a traditional politician, but a maverick. While his critics cry chaos, Trump loyalists envisage a scrambled egg scenario — for a flavorful outcome, some breakage is mandatory. These supporters do not measure his performance using dated metrics, believing that disorder might actually serve as a pathway to achieving substantial ends.
Trump’s presidency promises revamped federal governance, equitable trade agreements, eradication of criminal illegal immigrants, and an ambition for our allies to cut the umbilical cord of American extravagance. Yet, his first 100 days in office were not devoid of missteps and self-inflicted blunders, showcasing a less conventional approach to ruling.
A case in point being Trump’s tongue-in-cheek commentary suggesting Canada — a friendly neighbor — to be our 51st state, even disparagingly branding its PM Justin Trudeau as a governor. While the president may argue the mutual benefits of such a union, reality is far from this immature postulation – it’s simply not going to materialize.
Further instances of Trump’s questionable executive orders include his attempt to terminate birthright citizenship, a clear disregard for the 14th Amendment. Might I add, in response to this unlawful action, four federal judges have issued injunctions with the case standing to be heard in the Supreme Court. He even adventurously rescinded a Biden executive order aiming to reduce prescription drug costs for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, embarking on a legal minefield.
Without getting overly perturbed by Trump’s 139 executive orders in his second term (Trump 2.0), let’s put it into context by recalling Franklin Roosevelt’s record 2,819 orders in his first two terms. To date, Trump’s tally remains around 360. Comparing him to the largely scripted Biden, one might suggest Trump could benefit from adopting a more measured approach to media relations.
Besides policy blunders, the Democrats have showcased their theatrical outrage in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who wound up deported to an infamous prison, the CECOT, in El Salvador due to an ‘administrative error.’ Irrespective of his questionable past, due process and equal protection under the law should still apply to him. It’s not his unlawful entry, his involvement in interstate human smuggling, or the domestic abuse allegations against him that matter — but his constitutional rights.
That being said, the first few months of Trump’s presidency forces us to confront doubts. First, should we have considered Kamala Harris more seriously? Assessing her lack of clear differentiation from Biden’s administration and a certain vacillating honesty notably visible when she vowed to ‘always tell the truth even if it is difficult to hear,’ the answer resonates loudly: no. Her characterization of Joe Biden’s mental agility as ‘capable in every way’ raises eyebrows, serving only to further distance her from worthy consideration.
Secondly, do we regret the choice made in favor of Trump? While concern bubbles over the potential ramifications of the DOGE’s initiatives and Trump’s economic strategies vis-à-vis our colossal annual deficits of $1.8 trillion, regret seems starkly absent from the equation. An unsustainable situation, indeed, but the financial markets seem to be recovering to pre-tariff announcement levels. Most significantly, the recent labor report demonstrates a thriving market despite a slight GDP contraction of 0.3% in the first quarter.
Yet, what if – by some miracle – Trump’s strategies to diminish government waste, secure fair trade agreements, contain inflation, and propel our allies towards self-reliance prove successful? If the three government branches are miraculously preserved without jeopardizing stability, could Harris cheerleaders ever bring themselves to give him some credit?
Unsurprisingly, doubtful. A mere 100 days post-Trump’s ascension to the White House and critics are already complaining about a lack of progress in addressing the cost-of-living, Ukraine, and Gaza predicaments. A bit of irony here, considering that much of these issues were conceived during the span of Biden’s presidency.
It’s rather telling that the responsibility of repairing the damages sustained under Biden’s watch ironically falls to Trump. There might be some factual basis for the criticism but it’s paramount to remember that he’s barely spent any substantive time in his new office. The rush to condemnation blinds many from the possibility of late-emerging solutions.
So, no, I wouldn’t say that consideration for Kamala Harris is warranted given her lack of intellectual rigor and an apparent inclination for duplicity. And no, I don’t regret voting for Trump — yet the anxiety over the future impact of DOGE’s operations and the execution of Trump’s economic plan certainly lingers.
Despite our fears, the financial sector is rebounding, and the employment landscape looks promising. Suggestions of a solid economy under Trump’s first 100 days are tangible. However, these are early days and only time will tell the true impact of his controversial, non-traditional approach to governance.
Still, it’s worth pondering the likelihood of his potential success in minimizing government wastage, improving trade deals, curbing inflation rates, and promoting independence among our allies. Should these efforts bear fruit, a nod from Kamala Harris supporters will be interesting. However, as skepticism prevails, such acknowledgment currently seems improbable.
It’s mere 100 days into Trump’s presidency. As issues that have their roots in Biden’s administration become evident to the President, it remains to be seen how he handles these delicate situations. However, laying blame for perceived lack of advancement seems premature. The responsibility of untangling the complicated knots tied during the previous administration shouldn’t be underestimated. Patience, as they say, is a virtue.