Former President Trump, in his quirky sense of diplomacy, made vibrato promises to halt wars in Ukraine and Gaza which, as anticipated by his critics, yielded negligible results. This brash move elicited an air of uncertainty amongst American allies like Europe, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, gradually eroding their confidence around America’s global commitments.
Trump’s unpredictable modus operandi sent shockwaves through multilateral entities, often leaving them in a state of disarray. The capricious decision to close the widely respected United States Agency for International Development shocked many, raising eyebrows at the undermining of a long respected tool of humanitarian aid.
The former President’s eccentric desires didn’t stop there. His public rhetoric occasionally ventured into the realm of the ludicrous, making whimsical suggestions such as annexing Greenland, a Danish territory; reclaiming control over the Panama Canal; and even incorporating Canada as the 51st state of the U.S. These remarks stirred bewilderment among many, questioning the depth of their implications on international relations.
Trump’s reign over Congress seemed unbridled and unchecked—striking fear, doubt, and concern in the corridors of Capitol Hill. The erstwhile administration made the executive branch appear mightier, slashing government entities, upsetting the economy, and subsequently challenging lawmakers to question his moves.
The former president wielded executive orders with the vigor and frequency that eclipsed his predecessors, undoubtedly bypassing Congress. These orders went beyond traditional bounds and approached the territory of autocratic rule, setting a threatening precedent for democratic governance.
Amid these worrying trends, the Pentagon had its own share of controversy. The inexplicable removal of high-ranking officials, including its only female four-star officers, the Joint Chiefs chairman, who happened to be a Black general, and top military lawyers, left the defense sphere reeling.
This strategy proved disastrous for the reputation of the defense unit, hurling it headlong into unwarranted controversy. This turmoil spread rapidly, upsetting the Pentagon’s hierarchy and destabilizing its administrative structure.
Hegseth, a protégé of the former president, brought more division into the military by ordering the eradication of any diversity-celebrating resources—an unwelcome and narrow-minded stance not reflective of modern societal norms and military values.
The casualties of Trump’s tenure were felt far and wide, inclusive of the Department of Health and Human Services where 10,000 jobs vanished. Public health took a severe blow as billions meant for research were locked up, and pivotal discussions on flu vaccine and other pressing health issues were abruptly halted.
Resistance to fostering a widespread vaccination drive sprouted amid a devastating measles outbreak, causing needless loss of precious young lives. This stance drew sharp criticism from medical and public health experts as well as lawmakers who rightfully questioned this as an affront to public health.
Seemingly blind to the urgency of environmental concerns, Trump shockingly dropped the focus on climate change set by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump’s pursuit of ‘energy dominance’ was laudably adopted by the industry cronies, yet this reckless move further escalated distressing environmental circumstances and ignored the realities of the global energy landscape.
Trump’s tenure saw an alarming assault on cultural institutions. An unwarranted funding cut stranded artists, libraries, museums, and theaters that relied on these resources. Institutions like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities were falsely painted as bastions of a provocative ‘woke’ agenda.
Altogether, Trump’s presidency was an era of sweeping disruption and instability, with his controversial policies and actions creating deep fissures in the fabric of American society and its institutions. These actions didn’t just question his leadership competence, but also seemed to leave an indelible mark on the nation’s narrative and role in world affairs.