Hurricane Trump


Two things for starters: First, Donald Trump is doing and undoing things at a dizzying pace during the transition, thus fulfilling his campaign promises and pronouncements. Second, we are feeling this accelerated pace all the more because his predecessor had a calmer way of exercising power in a world plagued by conflict.

Nothing seems to escape the scope of Trump’s first executive orders: immigration, environment, energy, drug trafficking, terrorism, bureaucracy, gender ideology, foreign policy, the Middle East, education, federal subsidies, presidential pardons, and on and on.

Many realities were already changing before the inauguration. Now the pace of change will speed up; the direction of change is another matter. Wokism is in retreat, as is reaction to issues of any kind.

People fear Trump around the world, there is a sea change in how people perceive the power of the White House. Hamas’ partial agreement to release Israeli hostages confirms this, as does Iran’s willingness to negotiate. It’s not a stretch to compare this to Ronald Reagan’s inauguration.

Ukraine, Russia, China, the tariff issue, changing the status quo of international organizations, among other things, already viewed in terms of the popular mantra “peace through strength.” The United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the controversial World Health Organization suggests that there is action behind the rhetoric.

As for Latin America, except for the tension with Mexico over illegal immigration and the power of the narco-terrorist cartels, We can hope that Trump will help weaken tyrannies and strengthen democratic change. However, his threats to reclaim the Panama Canal already make it difficult to have much hope. As for Venezuela, my long suffering country, I will soon offer further perspective.

Hurricane Trump has not fully swept the landscape. On the contrary. Resistance to his plans and actions will be intense. He knows that, and he won’t want to waste any time taking advantage of how strong he is now.

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About Patricia Simoni 211 Articles
I began contributing to Watching America in 2009 and continue to enjoy working with its dedicated translators and editors. Latin America, where I lived and worked for over four years, is of special interest to me. Presently a retiree, I live in Morgantown, West Virginia, where I enjoy the beauty of this rural state and traditional Appalachian fiddling with friends. Working toward the mission of WA, to help those in the U.S. see ourselves as others see us, gives me a sense of purpose.

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