On February 21, 2025, The Nation published an article in its Politics section reporting on President Donald Trump’s controversial actions during the early weeks of his second term. Despite winning the presidency with only a slight margin over his opponent Kamala Harris and without a majority of the popular vote, President Trump has been aggressively implementing policies as though he had a significant mandate. He launched a series of executive orders that, if left unchecked, would significantly dismantle the reforms instituted by Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. Central to these efforts is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which is pursuing budget cuts and program eliminations previously sanctioned by Congress, actions deemed likely unconstitutional.
Beyond domestic policies, President Trump has been altering foreign relations, leveraging the United States’ influence over allies, particularly NATO countries and Ukraine, demanding substantial economic concessions. Notably, he has insisted that Ukraine hand over half its mineral wealth to the United States. His appointments to high office include controversial figures known for extremist views, such as Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Despite the narrow Republican control in Congress, with only a slim majority in both houses, the Democratic Party has struggled to muster sufficient opposition to the president’s agenda or to sway Republican members. Trump’s nominees, with few exceptions, have been confirmed with relative ease, and congressional Republicans have shown little willingness to challenge the administration’s foreign policies.
Reports from Vanity Fair indicate that some Republicans comply with Trump’s policies out of fear, given that credible death threats have been reported, such as the threats directed at North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis when he considered opposing a Trump nominee.
Public sentiment is turning against both President Trump and Elon Musk. According to a recent Washington Post/Ipsos poll, a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s actions, with 57 percent believing he has overstepped his authority. Several of Trump’s policies, including tariff impositions on Canada and Mexico and DOGE’s operations, are broadly unpopular.
Despite this discontent, the Democratic Party faces its own challenges. While the same poll suggests Democrats might gain congressional seats in the 2026 midterms, other surveys reflect dissatisfaction with the Democratic leadership. A Quinnipiac Poll reveals low approval ratings for congressional Democrats, due to a perceived lack of effective opposition to Trump’s policies.
Some prominent figures within the Democratic Party, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are receiving substantial public support for their vocal opposition to the Trump administration. As the nation’s political landscape shifts, Democrats are faced with deciding whether to galvanize opposition against Trump by empowering these prominent voices or continue adhering to the current cautious strategy under leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries. The article implies that effective leadership could turn the tide for Democrats, much like the Tea Party’s influence on the Republican Party during President Obama’s tenure.