At a recent public gathering named AmericaFest held in Phoenix, the future US president, Donald Trump, dominated with his chaotic rhetoric. The focal aspect of his campaign strategy of 2024 revolved around the deteriorating economy; an exaggerated assessment, presented as a means to attack his political rivals. Other issues he managed to muddle through include health care, climate change, education, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion, with each subject area suffused with contradictions and veiled threats against what he sees as his numerous antagonists.
Continuing the usual Trump brand of politics, he did not shy away from naming and shaming adversaries. Top of the enemy list are the likes of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Dr. Tony Fauci; people Trump thinks are unjustly occupying positions of power. His broadsides against the Democrats, during a town hall session in Pennsylvania shortly before the election, bordered on vitriol. The Democrats were depicted as an ‘internal enemy’, making a mockery of democratic process, by supposedly tampering with the elections to their advantage.
Caught in the crosshairs of Trump’s resentment is also the January 6th Committee, including its key leadership figures such as Liz Cheney. Trump has gone on record saying that they all deserve to be behind bars for their role in the events surrounding his administration. It seems that the re-emerging Trump era is gearing up to be clouded by accusations, indictments and a blatant lack of empathy.
An attention-grabbing turn of events will unfold in the first hundred days of Trump’s performance, given his repeated promises and frequent change of stance on various significant electoral issues. His ultimate triumph, however, would be to dismantle the existing Biden agenda. His previous tenure saw him relentlessly striving to wipe out former President Barack Obama’s policies, and it doesn’t seem like he’s willing to let Biden’s accomplishments stand either.
Trump has made it a recurring theme to label Joe Biden as the utmost presidential failure in American history. To make it worse, he is endlessly criticizing Biden’s significant legislative measures. The irony is that these actions were the safety nets that pulled the nation out of the devastating economic crisis provoked largely by Trump’s own mishandling of the pandemic. They pertained to crucial areas impacting the everyday lives of citizens such as health care and the environment.
A commonly held perception among political analysts suggests that Trump’s victory was predominantly due to his outrageous assertions about Biden’s economic direction and the escalating household expenses. Trump then pledged to alleviate the burden from common American folk by lowering expenses. However, following the election, he took a few steps back on these vows. He cowardly admitted that once prices rise, it’s somehow difficult to pull them down.
In continuation to his manipulative pledges, Trump retargeted his abundant wrath towards the issue of immigration. His simplistic logic suggested that other nations are inundating the US with their criminals and mentally unstable individuals. Such fear-mongering rhetoric ignores diversified narratives and is aimed at fostering xenophobia for political gains. Unsurprisingly, the man behind such divisive statements is promising widespread deportations.
Given the belligerence of Trump’s proposed immigration policies, the nation’s oldest Hispanic civil rights organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens, has already begun amassing funds and legal support. A well-planned fight against the inhumane immigration policies that are already being described as ‘vicious,’ ‘cruel,’ and ‘ruthless’ is ensnaring the nation.
The American Civil Liberties Union is not far behind in making preparations to tackle legal challenges posed by a second Trump term. They have been bracing themselves for the worst possible policies, including the unlawful threat of military involvement for accomplishing deportations. Lee Gelernt, a legal representative from the organization, expressed his concerns regarding Trump’s potential moves.
Trump’s aggressive deportation policies may have significant consequences on the country’s economy, causing as much personal harm as they would at the national level. Manual laborers, both in the agricultural and meat-processing sectors, prominently consist of migrant workers. They also contribute substantially to the hospitality and health care sectors. These are jobs that many Americans deem unworthy, highlighting a stubborn irony.
The Congress-based Joint Economic Committee (JEC), largely formed of Democrats, has published a report indicating the adverse impacts of Trump’s deportation policies. According to the document, the mass eviction of migrant workers threatens to shrink the US labor force, thereby stifling growth and potentially boosting inflation.
In essence, each aspect of Trump’s upcoming term seems to pose great risks to the future of the United States. They could catalyze more divisions among citizens and further weaken the already strained social fabric. The most vulnerable in society would likely bear the brunt of the projected harsh measures, fostering a climate of uncertainty and fear.
As always, the impact that Trump’s polarizing statements have on popular opinion is unpredictable and immensely impactful. Whether he is a gifted leader or a manipulative politician using the fears and frustrations of the public to his advantage, is a matter of personal perception. However, the negative impacts that loom over the horizon under a second Trump term cannot be overlooked.
Trump’s vilifying rhetoric towards immigrants, specifically undocumented ones, could likely lead to a steep increase in hate crimes, while his plans to repeal beneficial legislations and malign democratic leaders lend an additionally worrisome hue to the political landscape.
However, it’s important to remember that in a democracy, public opinion and judicial constitution are powerful forces. If Trump’s policies and actions prove to be as damaging as anticipated, it is the civic duty of American citizens and institutions to stand firm, challenge unjust policies and ensure checks and balances in the system.