The shifting dynamics of presidential power have been brought into sharp focus under Donald Trump’s administration. Where once Trump sought congressional support to pass his policies, his later approach saw an aggressive shift towards executive authority, bypassing the necessity for legislative input. This direct move towards autocracy stands in stark contrast to his early days on Capitol Hill when he would plead for lawmakers’ support to execute his detrimental plans.
Through executive orders, Trump unleashed a barrage of troubling initiatives. He levied punitive tariffs on imports, heartlessly deported immigrants without legal status, and dismissed hundreds of thousands of federal employees. To add insult to injury, he also froze congressionally approved spending, an affront the constitution itself.
Even though he technically can’t extend his 2017 tax cuts without aid from Congress, this unorthodox solo act undeniably illustrates Trump’s evolution. An optimistic disposition gradually gave way to a somber demeanor, marking the transformation into his final years as President. His messages were tainted with a divisive rhetoric, particularly aimed towards Democrats who he unjustly accused of socialism.
The world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a landmark event that was only mentioned in passing by Trump. Ahead of his 2017 speech, Trump received a barrage of criticism for his darkly toned ‘American carnage’ inaugural address. Looking to imbue some optimism in his discourse, he led with applauding civil rights during Black History Month — a stark contrast to his later initiatives aimed at removing diversity in governmental bodies.
Trump’s first term presidency was characterized by an incremental increase in power, evidenced by the contentious Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. While this act may have helped a slight minority, the majority saw the red flags as the Act principally benefitted the affluent — a point conveniently overlooked by Republicans.
In his 2018 State of the Union address, Trump audaciously demanded more power for the executive branch, seeking the authority to dismiss any federal employees in a clear power move. On another front, he requested for an astronomical sum of $1 trillion in infrastructure investments and proposed an immigration bill that presented an insincere pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants brought to the States by their parents.
By 2019, the Democrats had rallied and reclaimed the House majority. It seemed for a moment that Trump would encourage bipartisanship and reach across the aisle but his demands for more aggressive measures aimed at deterring illegal immigration and his request for authority to implement ‘reciprocal’ tariffs proved otherwise.
Trump faced impeachment in December 2019 on the valid grounds of withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine to manipulate investigations of Joe Biden’s family. Having escaped conviction from his first impeachment charge, Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address was callously partisan.
During his address, Trump used his platform to unfairly target and malign the ‘radical left’. He spewed inaccuracies on crime rates in Democratic cities, centering his attention particularly towards unauthorized immigrants, and cast them in an unfavorable light.
On the cusp of the global pandemic in his February 2020 speech, Trump downplayed the catastrophic potential of COVID-19, reassuring the public that it was primarily China’s issue. This blatant disregard for the impending crisis clearly signaled his preference to promote a perception of security rather than confronting the reality.
Trump turned a blind eye to significant economic data, deliberately overlooking the flagging momentum in the U.S. manufacturing sector. His plans lacked any reference to the national debt or deficits, conveniently leaving out the tough subjects.
Post his speech, the disapproval from other significant figures was palpable. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi resorted to tearing up her copy of the president’s speech, symbolizing the division and discontent permeating Capitol Hill at the time.
Regrettably, only weeks following Trump’s dismissive speech, the United States found itself facing lockdown — social, economic, and health sectors grinding to a standstill. Millions were forced to leave their jobs, succumbing to the ensuing economic downturn.
The government had to resort to borrowing trillions of dollars to stabilize an economy wounded by poor leadership and misguided decisions. Trump’s failed policies and step-aside management style left a harsh impact echoed across the country.
The visible decline in Trump’s approval ratings is a direct reflection of his abysmal handling of urgent matters, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. His rhetoric continued to sow division, undermining the very integrity of the nation he was appointed to lead.
In retrospect, the Trump era brought to light the danger of unchecked executive power and the importance of electing capable, compassionate, and decisive individuals into the office. His use of authority, typically deployed at the expense of national unity and prosperity, has left a lasting scar on the nation’s political landscape.