Almost everything President Donald Trump has done since the inauguration was proposed in Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership in 2023, including numerous changes to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  But the Trump approved savagery Elon Musk has done to this agency – illegally I believe – is stupid and beyond cruel.  In Africa, children and pregnant women and others are dying of starvation and various causes due to their brutality, while Republican members of Congress, who typically support USAID, look away.  We cannot allow these reprehensible cowards to prevail.

Still, I am struggling to keep up with the damage Trump and Musk are causing, both in the U.S. and around the world.  It is so pervasive; I am not sure how to start writing about it.  So, here are just some – probably understated – observations about what I believe is occurring now and what could happen in the coming months. 

Around the World:

There was a world-shaking event at the UN General Assembly on February 24, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:  Trump recklessly abandoned America’s 80-year-long position as leader of the free world by joining Russia, North Korea and fourteen other dictatorships in voting against a resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine and calling for it to end its occupation.  Fortunately, it passed overwhelmingly anyway.  Trump is carelessly squandering America’s reputation and good will around the world that prior presidents have worked so hard to establish. 

NATO allies are now deeply concerned about America’s commitment to help protect its members against Russian aggression.  Reportedly, our Asia/Pacific allies have similar fears regarding China.  England and France have nuclear weapons but I suspect other countries, including Germany, Japan and South Korea will rush to develop that capability too.  Trump’s America First policies may play well with his MAGA base, but the nuclear proliferation that could result will make the world considerably less safe.

Here at Home:

Make no mistake, Trump is attempting to take total control of all three branches of the government.  He has even threatened to ignore court orders.  It is very possible, although not at all certain, that America’s constitutional republic, rule of law, and modified capitalistic economy will be replaced by an autocracy and/or an oligarchy, with Trump as its king-like leader.  I believe only democracy-loving citizens engaging in continuous, strong backlash can stymie his mission, and time is of the essence.

Trump’s firing of at least 17 agency inspectors general and the elimination of regulatory agencies, like the Consumer Finance Projection Bureau, paves the way for overreaching and corruption by both government and corporations. 

The ongoing purges of nonpartisan civil servants and agency scientists and experts will render our government dramatically less efficient and dangerously ineffective.  Trump has also signed a ludicrous executive order (EO) that will limit hiring of federal agencies – except defense and law enforcement – to one Musk approved employee for every four that depart.  This would rapidly reduce most government agencies to skeleton crews, leaving Americans without critical services and environmental protections.

Trump’s inflation inducing tariff threats, authoritarian decision making and continuous chaos are creating great uncertainty for businesses and consumers alike.  Republicans in the GOP-controlled Congress will add to these concerns as they battle among themselves to extend and increase Trump’s tax cuts, cut Medicaid funding and significantly increase the national debt.  I believe it is likely this will cause consumers and businesses to curtail spending and send the economy into recession this year.

Critical Litigation:

Numerous lawsuits have been filed challenging dozens of Trump’s EOs, most of which violate the law and will end up before the Supreme Court, according to numerous competent lawyers.  I will spare you the details of these cases and cut right to the worst possible results:

Trump could get total control of the 14 or so independent federal agencies and offices, including the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) that sets interest rates and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that regulates interstate and international communications.  In effect, this will render them dependent and politicized.

A major reason why U.S. Treasury bonds are coveted by foreign nationals and governments around the world is the independent U.S. Federal Reserve.  If it is politicized, investor faith in these instruments will decline and interest costs to service the national debt will skyrocket.

Control of the FCC would give Trump the autocratic power to reward or punish media outlets, including by revoking licenses for networks that criticize him and approving the purchase of liberal leaning media companies by his libertarian billionaire buddies.

Trump could also obtain unfettered power to withhold (impound) funds appropriated by Congress, which would seriously weaken, if not eliminate, the separation of powers and the checks and balances established by the Constitution.

On the Positive Side:

Strong protests are growing against Trump/Musk’s incompetence, and dozens of lawsuits are challenging their worst abuses.  Trump is attempting to enact core right-wing policies that have never been very popular with Americans, including dismantling the U.S. Education Department.  At last, Republican governors and voters can envision life in the conservative America they have often demanded – and many don’t like what they see.  This should greatly improve the chances that Democrats will retake one or both chambers of Congress in 2026. 

So, keep the faith and keep fighting against Trump’s radical agenda; we will beat these tyrants if we persevere.