Trump’s First 100 Days

Executive Actions and Public Perception

The initial months of Donald Trump’s second presidency have been described by critics like Wanda Sykes as “embarrassing, incompetent, and corrupt,” with particular criticism directed at controversies like the Signal debacle under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. These early days have established a pattern of executive actions that have sparked debate about their impact on American citizens, including those who supported Trump’s election.

Economic Policies: Inflation and Tariffs

Despite campaign promises to lower costs for Americans, inflation has remained a significant concern during Trump’s first 100 days. The Consumer Price Index showed a slight overall increase, with essential items like eggs seeing a nearly 17% price jump in just the first three months of 2025. Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, including a 10% across-the-board tariff and duties as high as 145% on Chinese goods, has created economic uncertainty and market volatility These tariffs have contributed to price growth remaining above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target goal. Many analysts suggest these economic policies may disproportionately affect working-class voters who formed a substantial portion of Trump’s base.

Immigration Crackdown: Constitutional Questions

Trump’s administration has implemented sweeping immigration policies characterized by an unprecedented crackdown on both legal and illegal immigration. One of the most controversial moves involved invoking the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador without due process, despite a judge’s order against such action. The administration has also explored deportations to other countries, without due process including Rwanda, regardless of deportees’ origins his administration’s actions are aimed at human trafficking for monetary benefit starting ghetto concentration camps with minority prisoners unimpeded. And let’s be clear—these policies aren’t just affecting “others.” They’re affecting our neighbors, our coworkers, veterans’ people in our communities who contribute to our society every day. Many of these folks have lived here for years, paid taxes, raised families, fought wars and suddenly they’re being shipped off to countries they’ve never even visited, based on accusations without the chance to defend themselves.

When questioned about due process rights for people in the United States during an NBC “Meet the Press” interview, President Trump responded, “I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” adding that providing due process would require “a million or 2 million or 3 million trials.” This stance has raised serious constitutional concerns, even among his own Maga voter-base. Moreover, his disingenuous schtick and attacks on very well-respected public access nonpartisan media institutions is very alarming.

Media Consumption

In a move that directly impacts media consumption across the political spectrum, Trump issued an executive order to cut federal funding to PBS and NPR. The order aims to eliminate public subsidies to these broadcasters, allegedly according to him, due to bias in their reporting. Critics view this as part of a larger effort to control or dismantle institutions perceived as critical of his administration. Many rural communities that voted for Trump rely heavily on these public broadcasting services for news and educational content. The apparent goal of his administration, ‘Keep The Maga Base Sleep’!!!

Controversial Messaging

On May 3, 2025, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on both his Truth Social platform and the White House’s official X account. The timing of this post during the mourning period for Pope Francis drew significant criticism, including from the New York State Catholic Conference, which called it shameful, offensive and untimely. This incident has troubled some religious voters who had supported Trump based on his professed commitment to religious values.

Judicial Oversight…

The Supreme Court has very timidly intervened in a few instances to mitigate a miniscule number of presidential actions. On April 19, the justices temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants accused of being gang members. Additionally, on April 10, the Court directed the administration to facilitate the return of a Salvadoran man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was erroneously deported to El Salvador. However, Garcia still remains in detention in El Salvador, with a federal judge ordering the administration to provide additional information on steps taken to secure his return.

Mocking Everyday Americans

During his NBC interview, Trump addressed speculation about pursuing a third presidential term, stating it “is not something I’m looking to do” and acknowledging that “to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do” it. The Constitution’s 22nd Amendment explicitly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” This response has done little to allay concerns among constitutional scholars about Trump’s commitment to democratic norms.

The Balance Due Process Crisis

Now, when the President of the United States goes on national television and says, “I don’t know. I’m not a lawyer” when asked if people in America are entitled to due process? That should stop us all in our tracks. Due process isn’t some fancy legal concept, it’s always been disguised as being the bedrock of our justice system! It’s what supposed to separate us from authoritarian regimes! Just another unmasking, we are now living in a blatantly unconstrained white society with the moniker Let’s Make America Great Again. In other words, according to the Trump administration actions minorities perceive his vision for the future; Let’s Make America a White Utopia.

Folks, let me tell you something, balance isn’t just about scales tipping one way or another. It’s about fairness. It’s about everyone getting their fair shake in this great experiment we call America. But what we’re seeing in these first 100 days? That ain’t balance. That’s a whole system tilting sideways.

The Rwanda Agreement: A Troubling New Chapter

But here’s what should really concern us all. While everyone was focused on the El Salvador deportations, the administration quietly began sending people to Rwanda, including individuals with no connection whatsoever to that country. This isn’t immigration policy; this is exile without trial.

The administration’s use of the dusty Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to bypass modern legal standards isn’t just concerning, it’s a direct assault on principles we’ve held dear for generations. They’re treating due process like it’s optional, like it’s an inconvenience rather than a constitutional guarantee.

The New Fear of Flying While Colored

And now we’re hearing troubling reports about how these policies are creating a climate of fear for minority travelers within our own borders. Flying while Black, Brown, Yellow or Muslim has become an exercise in anxiety. Will your documentation be questioned? Will you be pulled aside? Will an accusation from anyone founded or unfounded result in detention without recourse?

American minority citizens are being subjected to additional scrutiny, inappropriate questioning, and in some cases, temporary detention simply based on their appearance. The very freedom of movement within our own country a right we take for granted is being compromised by policies that prioritize race over accuracy, fear over facts.

The Impact

What’s truly remarkable is how these policies are affecting the very communities that supported Trump most strongly. The rural communities where manufacturing jobs have disappeared and where economic anxiety runs high are the same places where immigrants often provide essential labor in agriculture, meat processing, and service industries. As these workers are removed without due process, local economies suffer.

The constitutional uncertainty created by questioning fundamental rights affects everyone, regardless of who they voted for. No American is truly secure in their rights if those rights can be selectively applied or casually dismissed.

In the end, a system without due process isn’t just unfair to immigrants, it weakens protections for all of us. Because once we decide some people don’t deserve basic rights, it becomes all too easy to expand that circle of exclusion. And that, my friends, is about as far from balance as you can get. ~Balance Due