Trump's second term - how are we feeling?

[Druid]

I don't want to revive the (you need an account to see links) thread, but a big part of the conversation there was Trump supporters telling those who were/are afraid of this presidency not to worry about his anti-minority rhetoric or about Project 2025 as those things wouldn't come to any fruition. Given what's happened within the first ten days of his term, I'm interested in a check-in. Some notable actions so far:

• Significant attacks on LGBT equality, particularly targeting trans and nonbinary people. This includes creation of a policy recognizing only two genders, an order "ending radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling" with wording that strongly suggests schools will be ineligible for funding if they tolerate any positive LGBT+ messaging, an order attempting to ban gender-affirming care for those under 19 (medically this is not just about surgeries but extends to hormones and puberty blockers, and the wording strongly suggests that social transition is to be stopped as well), and an order "reshaping" the military to "eliminate gender radicalism" (transgender soldiers are not yet outright banned, but again, the wording strongly suggests that that is the direction things are going). As well, many of the 78 Biden-era executive actions Trump has rescinded were measures that supported racial equity and combatted anti-LGBT discrimination. And this isn't an action of this administration per se, but I would argue that the current political climate and Trump's SCOTUS appointees have directly led to Idaho's call for SCOTUS to reverse Obergefell v Hodges (the case that legalized same sex marriage across the country) - following the overturning of Roe v Wade I think it's a very real concern that this may actually happen.
• Consistent dialogue about the desire to take over land from various allies, with notable focus on Canada, Greenland, and Panama. Before dismissing this as something that will never happen/just a joke, I encourage you to think about whether that kind of joke is appropriate from a world leader, what the reaction would be if other world leaders were making these jokes about America, and the concept of the (you need an account to see links). Picking fights with allies also adds an extremely sinister context to the executive order beginning the process of developing an "American Iron Dome" - a short-range missile defence shield akin to Israel's.
• Withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, revoking electric vehicle targets, declaring a national emergency to "unleash" oil production in Alaska - so an immediate and significant start to undoing climate protections, right as climate change effects are devastating America more and more.
• Withdrawing from the World Health Organization
• Immediate end to all DEI programs within the government. Orders targeting federal employees and civil servants also include an end to remote work and drastically reduced employment protections.
• Order ending birthright citizenship - meaning children born in America are no longer necessarily American - and establishing a migrant detention center at Guantánamo Bay, as well as a complete freeze on refugee admissions.
• Pardons for ALL Januray 6th rioters, including those who committed significant violent acts.
• Sudden "pause" on federal assistance, causing widespread panic, then rescission of that memo in response to an emergency court injunction delaying the pause, but with comments from the Press Secretary suggesting that it was only rescinded to prevent confusion given the injunction and that something similar is still coming.
• Deeply unqualified cabinet picks, with Pete Hegseth as one of the clearest examples but far from the only one.

This is not an exhaustive list, and not even an exhaustive list of policies I personally have concerns about, but it feels like a lot to start a conversation already. Here's a (you need an account to see links), with each linked so you can read them. Are you happy with the actions that have happened so far? Do you have concerns about these or other policies? How do you feel about the campaign vs the start of the term, or about the connection or lack thereof between Project 2025 and this administration?

[Jesedmoga]

All I can say from an outside perspective is: That man is so obviously egomaniac, megalomaniac and self righteous I can't believe he was even a candidate.
In any other country a criminal of various felonies being elected would be a huge scandal and in the USA they just decided to ignore it. Heck, they even said "well, you're guilty but we've never convicted a president before so you're free to go".
A plane just crashed after two days of firing TSA executives and hes blaming Biden for it... and people believe him. Farmers don't have workforce to produce food, he also stoped vaccine distribution to developing countries and when China released their AI model and the stock market crashed he just said "We'll just tariff taiwan".

I'm always very careful of using words like these, but given how every person who defys him -or did in the past- is getting fired or prosecuted, and he keeps getting away with Nationalism and blaming the opposite party, this may be a moment to call fascism.

It's not just a country, the whole world is gonna face the consequences of the orange man's tantrums.

[GreK]

Just like every president, some good, some awful.

I personally like the withdrawral from the international stuff. We shouldn't be funding condoms in Gaza, HIV prevention in Darfur - Tragic stuff of course, but not our responsibility.
The domestic stuff against LGBTQ+ citizens - Awful
The domestic deportation - as someone who lives in a major city that has been devastated and actually has to go on the subway with their head on a swivel, good. They are getting criminals and problem people out. I have yet to see kids or grandmothers taken, once I do - my tone will shift.

Editing with additional commentary until I see more posts;

-Pardons for ALL Januray 6th rioters, including those who committed significant violent acts.
--- This is a pendulum swing response, there were many non violent people charged and convicted (or took the deal to avoid hard jail time) They went too far (opinion not fact) in prosecuting, so now the counter swing of pardoning everyone which is bad.

-Order ending birthright citizenship - meaning children born in America are no longer necessarily American - and establishing a migrant detention center at Guantánamo Bay, as well as a complete freeze on refugee admissions.
--- This needs context, if one parent is American - the kid is good. If both parents aren't citizens and the kid is born here, why would they require citizenship? Birth tourism is 100% a thing.

-Consistent dialogue about the desire to take over land from various allies, with notable focus on Canada, Greenland, and Panama. Before dismissing this as something that will never happen/just a joke, I encourage you to think about whether that kind of joke is appropriate from a world leader, what the reaction would be if other world leaders were making these jokes about America, and the concept of the Overton window. Picking fights with allies also adds an extremely sinister context to the executive order beginning the process of developing an "American Iron Dome" - a short-range missile defence shield akin to Israel's.

--- Building an American Iron dome would be beneficial to security, the Canada and Greenland stuff is foolish commentary, Panama does have some valid claim to take it both for international trade, security, and America built it.

- Withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, revoking electric vehicle targets, declaring a national emergency to "unleash" oil production in Alaska - so an immediate and significant start to undoing climate protections, right as climate change effects are devastating America more and more.
--- American resources are fine in my opinion to be released, I personally am not concerned with the world in 1,000 years raising 1 degree temperature wise - I am concerned about my day to day life and family. If releasing alaskan oil brings down gas prices back to under $1.50 and pressures OPEC / Middle eastern oil trade, fine.

-Significant attacks on LGBT equality, particularly targeting trans and nonbinary people. This includes creation of a policy recognizing only two genders, an order "ending radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling" with wording that strongly suggests schools will be ineligible for funding if they tolerate any positive LGBT+ messaging,
---The two Genders thing is interesting, I still don't know how I personally feel about it for federal paperwork but for social and societal constructs I respect the prefered pronouns and gender. The school piece will be interesting to see I don't know about that one yet.

- an order attempting to ban gender-affirming care for those under 19 (medically this is not just about surgeries but extends to hormones and puberty blockers, and the wording strongly suggests that social transition is to be stopped as well), and an order "reshaping" the military to "eliminate gender radicalism" (transgender soldiers are not yet outright banned, but again, the wording strongly suggests that that is the direction things are going).
- This is wild to me to ban the gender-affirming care, again I don't care what people do but to play devils advocate - the science is still out on the long term impact of puberty blockers and I personally do privately question children under 10 who have concepts of sex and gender like that but I don't know enough admittedly. The military items are very interesting becuase anyone willing to fight for their country should be taken care of.

---As well, many of the 78 Biden-era executive actions Trump has rescinded were measures that supported racial equity and combatted anti-LGBT discrimination. And this isn't an action of this administration per se, but I would argue that the current political climate and Trump's SCOTUS appointees have directly led to Idaho's call for SCOTUS to reverse Obergefell v Hodges (the case that legalized same sex marriage across the country) - following the overturning of Roe v Wade I think it's a very real concern that this may actually happen.
-I think overturning OBergefell is a giant leap but worst case scenario it goes back to being a state by state issue. This is said not to dismiss concerns of those in states that would not be supportive.
-Roe V. Wade has a fascinating backstory to it. It was passed for the right reasons, but even the supporters said it was passed on shakey ground and needed to be enshrined in the constitution. (you need an account to see links) <-- Worth the read


Additional commentary:
-Getting NATO to pay their "fair share" I don't see as problematic.
-My voting record; Obama, Obama, Sanders, Biden, Trump
- I work in a downtown east coast town, NYC, Boston, Center City PA. Homelessness, immigration, drugs, are all issues I see daily. I feel bad for the homeless heroin user but when they are screaming on a train and people around me are neverous - it makes me less sympathetic. I get immigration is a huge issue, but when an undocumented criminal kills or does severe damageit makes me less sympathetic. When I can't get to work on time becuase XYZ organization is blocking the road, fuck them. I'm just some average guy they are inconveniencing and their cause is now one I hate. (Think of the anti-oil people throwing soup at paintings or interupting plays)

Everyone is worthy of respect, decency, and care.

[Jesedmoga]

I won't debate on your oppinions and experiences, specially how affected NY has been because of the immigrant hordes.

However, mass deportations are being used as a weapon against other countries (like mexico and ecuador) and are heavily funded on racial profiling. This news (sorry it's in spanish) tells how they are being raided on schools, churchs and even their own houses. The majority of them don't have a criminal record.

(you need an account to see links)

Also Tariffs in the NATO and NAFTA will NOT help American economy at all. Tariffs are paid by the US industries and/or consumers. 25 and 100% tariffs on importations will create a recession. Taking the panama canal will hurt the country's international relationships and be considered as an invasion.
That without mentioning the USA did not build the canal, the government 'hired' thousands of free workers under inhuman conditions, many of them without pay and at least 5 thousand people died building it under the USA administration, including children under 15 yo. The USA has no right at all of taking it back.

I can see what he's plotting, forcing inconvenient deals with other countries and reinforcing national industries, but these meassures hold much less weight today than 10 years ago. If the meassures backfire - and many say they will-, he's gonna cost the country billions of dollars.

[GreK]

I won't debate on your oppinions and experiences, specially how affected NY has been because of the immigrant hordes.

However, mass deportations are being used as a weapon against other countries (like mexico and ecuador) and are heavily funded on racial profiling. This news (sorry it's in spanish) tells how they are being raided on schools, churchs and even their own houses. The majority of them don't have a criminal record.

(you need an account to see links)

Also Tariffs in the NATO and NAFTA will NOT help American economy at all. Tariffs are paid by the US industries and/or consumers. 25 and 100% tariffs on importations will create a recession. Taking the panama canal will hurt the country's international relationships and be considered as an invasion.

I can see what he's plotting, forcing inconvenient deals with other countries and reinforcing national industries, but these meassures hold much less weight today than 10 years ago. If the meassures backfire - and many say they will-, he's gonna cost the country billions of dollars.

Feel free to hammer any of my takes, I am 100% open to feedback and don't take it personally. It's an online forum of idea spreading.

[Jesedmoga]

tbh I still agree with most other takes, but felt the need to clarify those couple arguments that didn't click for me.

Overall I don't think he's leading the country into the right direction.

[DrSloth]

answering this as a non american, and honestly not even an answer and more just a vent, not many people around me are following up on what's is happening in the US so no one to talk about it, i've been getting really anxious about the news i've been seeing lately.

Honestly it's been insane watching from outside.

I'll keep myself from commenting on all the immigrant and LGBT community stuff because it's imo the worst of it all and as a LGBT member it hurts to see people from the community have their rights taken just like that specially because Brazil, the country i'm from, the far right has a tendency of copying whatever shit USA radicals pull.

I have a crazy theory that all the benefits being revoked from the general population is to force them taking lower wages in the fields that the immigrants were taking, which honestly considering what they have been doing doesnt seem to be that crazy of an idea.

On the tariffs, i honestly would not even care if literally ANY other country decided to go like this, to me it's really clear it will hurt US itself more than help, and even if it helps US starting developping and producing products, food and all (which i support for all countries to have a level of self sustainability), but sadly US is the country that has the biggest spending on guns and stuff like that and we all know how US react when things dont go exactly how they want, so if US decides they did something wrong and try to get back on it and the other countries decide to keep the tariffs, i predict some bad stuff going down in the future.

And apparently even people who voted for him are already shocked by what is happening and regretting their votes, which honestly i really wish i didn't felt bad for them because it was clear they were voting for someone that have 0 care for others, but still sucks to see even them regretting after it's too late.

The only thing i'm liking is that the USD value at least compared to my countries currency went down by 5% since trump got in office. Our currency was doing really bad for other things but at least all those measures gave us a bit of a break in our currency losing value.

[Erik.]

I don't have the energy to go into detail on what an absolute fascist direction the US is taking right now without going all Neanderthal in a non-constructive way, but I will say this.



For all those people who said Trump didn't even know of Project2025 and wouldn't stoop so Hellish low as to demonize entire groups of minorities. He's already started, and he's coming for us. This is just one example. Honestly, stop pretending you'd even care if he did. We minorities all know the real reason why you choose Trump: simple, pure selfishness. I hope leopards will eventually eat your face too. 4 years is a long time

[basmatirice]

i am also a non-American (i'm Canadian), but i have a lot of friends in the US who i visit regularly and so have a little to say.

i have an X for the gender marker on my passport, which is also something that America offered until this Trump term. from CNN ((you need an account to see links)

In addition to the suspension of processing the applications with the X marker, the State Department is no longer issuing US passports with this marker, the spokesperson said.

They said that “guidance regarding previously issued X sex marker passports is forthcoming.”

so this makes me wonder what it will be like for ME to travel to the states from now on. the Canadian gov. is also unsure and their current stance is, "we're waiting for more information from the US."

i know travel is the least of people's worries right now, but i'm not a citizen of America so i really can't comment more fully on other policy changes - other than the idea of annexing Canada and making it a state, which is an absolute joke and will not happen without a genuine war.

well, and the LGBTQ+ stuff since i am trans and 90% of my American friends are trans, too. in that area, what i can say is that the whole "there's only two sexes now" thing is both transphobic and unscientific (intersex people exist), and even the official language released by the White House is unscientific (saying that sex will be assigned "at conception," since conception = fertilization and nobody has a specific sex at that point). it feels like we are taking giant leaps backward for LGBTQ+ acceptance, which is scary and driven by (what seems like) religious fear-mongering. the same thing is kind of starting to happen in Canada with Poilievre, too, though not necessarily as outright religious as in America.

[Swablu]

I don't know who I'm worried about more right now with how things are going. My husband, who is hispanic. His family has been *legally* living in the US for years and are all citizens, but the streets have been spooky. Or myself, a woman.