Trump’s America: It could get worse

Editorial

As the outside world gazes into the fishbowl that is the U.S.A. under the autocracy of Donald Trump’s second presidency, those of us who believe in democracy do so with a high degree of concern, wondering if it will get worse. Unchecked, we suspect it will. Worst-case scenarios play out in our mind. Here are some of the most concerning possibilities, for the U.S.A and for the rest of us:

Trump’s administration could weaken the checks and balances that are fundamental to American democracy. This includes politicising the civil service through mechanisms like Schedule F(1), allowing for the dismissal of nonpartisan public servants and replacing them with political loyalists, thereby diminishing the independence of government agencies. Plans such as Project 2025(2), which aims to centralise power in the presidency could significantly undermine democratic governance.

Even in the last 24 hours we’ve seen Trump name himself new Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts board chair. Given that the mission of the Centre is to define today’s American culture, this is an example of his intention to restructure American society so as to become a reflection of himself:

He says he will now be dictating the institution’s “art and culture” and says it “must reflect” what he chooses.

There is also a fear of increased state surveillance and the use of executive power to target political opponents or minorities. That is a certainty, I am sure. Policies could target groups based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, potentially leading to widespread human rights abuses. The Trump administration might also push for policies that restrict freedoms under the guise of law and order, including aggressive immigration policies such as mass deportations without due process. We are already watching this unfold in America now.

Trump’s approach to trade involving tariffs on major trading partners, in this case Canada, Mexico, and China, could lead to economic instability, higher inflation and a potential trade war. These policies might not only disrupt global trade but also harm U.S. corporate profits, increase consumer prices and lead to job losses in sectors dependent on international trade. Not exactly “America first”. We are also watching this unfold, wondering what’s going to happen next. And will he carry out his threats to BRICS nations(3) if they replace the U.S. dollar as their reserve currency? I think we all suspect that he will.

Trump’s unpredictable approach to foreign relations could destabilise international alliances such as NATO, potentially encouraging actions from adversaries. His administration might engage in or escalate conflicts without traditional diplomatic considerations, increasing the risk of international incidents or even war. His comments on issues about nuclear proliferation or his approach to authoritarian leaders have raised concerns about increased global tension.

This next one is cruel; being the risk of significant cutbacks in public health and welfare programs, which could disproportionately affect the poor, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations. The freezing of foreign aid could have dire consequences for global health initiatives, leading to increased suffering in refugee camps and other areas dependent on international support. As a person who appears to lack any empathy, he probably wouldn’t care. His attitude and approach to how he handled the Covid outbreak during his first presidency showed us first hand that the health of Americans wasn’t a high priority.

His withdrawal from climate agreements and the promotion of fossil fuels could accelerate climate change, leading to more severe environmental impacts. This could manifest in intensified natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, and health issues due to pollution. He doesn’t exhibit any care about that either.

One final worst-case scenario is the introduction of policies that exacerbate social divisions or that are perceived as unjust lead to widespread protests or even civil unrest, as we are currently witnessing. This sends shudders through me: If met with aggressive responses from law enforcement or the military, this could escalate into more significant domestic conflict.

You will notice that I haven’t mentioned his co-president and fellow seeker of absolute power, Elon Musk. That will be my next consideration.

 

(1) ”Schedule F is an executive order that former President Trump issued in October 2020 to remove the employment protections that prevent career government employees from being replaced for partisan reasons. It was rescinded by President Biden as soon as he took office in January 2021. If Schedule F were to be reinstated, the president would be virtually free to fire dedicated civil servants and replace them with loyalists and ideologues.” (See: The Schedule F Threat to Democracy: A Project 2025 Explainer).

(2) “Project 2025 proposes that the entire federal bureaucracy, including independent agencies such as the Department of Justice, be placed under direct presidential control – a controversial idea known as ‘unitary executive theory’.” (See: Project 2025: The right-wing wish list for Trump’s second term).

(3) BRICS nations are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

 

Also by Michael Taylor: From a war zone to a resort: President Trump’s latest grand plan is a dangerous one

 

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