This week’s column critiques Donald Trump’s second term, marking it as a record of failure despite its significant impact on American politics. Compared to FDR’s accomplishments, Trump’s efforts to dominate democracy are faltering amid a trade war and declining public support. Discussions in podcasts cover various topics, including political dishonesty and surveillance issues. Additional articles address class conflict in housing, JD Vance’s misrepresented history, and the resistance from federal workers against Trump’s administration. Overall, a sense of frustration with public complacency and political vitriol permeates the narrative.
My Articles
This week, I wrote about Donald Trump’s first 100 days in his second term, highlighting why they signify a record of failure rather than success.
Despite their significant impact and the exhaustion they’ve caused for many Americans, Trump’s initial months in this term starkly contrast with Roosevelt’s achievements. While Trump has caused turmoil within the federal government and damaged international relations, his primary objective — to fully control American democracy — remains unachievable. In fact, it appears to be slipping away, undermined by his destructive trade policies, resistance from civil society, and declining favor among the public.
On my podcast with John Ganz, we reviewed the 1997 political thriller “The Peacemaker.” I also contributed to the Pizza Pod Party podcast to discuss, you guessed it, pizza.
Currently Reading
Alan Elrod discusses American vice for Liberal Currents.
Today, we are alarmingly inclined to ignore the truth. We tolerate dishonesty and greed in politics, turning away from unsettling realities and distracting ourselves with screens and trivial entertainment. Daily, we navigate a fog of negativity, ignorance, and trivial politics. When a man, repeatedly revealing his true nature, vows to ease our burdens, we inexplicably reinstate him in power.
Ian Bogost and Charlie Warzel examine the creation of an American panopticon for The Atlantic.
A precarious mix of outdated laws, traditions, and bureaucratic challenges has, until now, prevented the formation of a centralized American surveillance state. However, this seems to be shifting. Following Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have methodically accessed sensitive government data in ways described by several agency sources as both alarming and troubling.
Ned Resnikoff delves into housing and class conflict for The Nation.
Class struggles in housing politics often occur not just between large real estate entities and local communities but within those communities themselves. Wealthy homeowners, especially when organized in neighborhood associations, create influential anti-housing coalitions. Research has shown that those most vocal against housing development in public discussions tend to be older, wealthier, and predominantly white homeowners. This opposition to new projects perpetuates regional housing shortages, driving up rents and preventing first-time buyers from entering the market.
Sean Wilentz critiques JD Vance’s poor historical analysis for The New York Review of Books.
As has often been pointed out, Jackson never uttered the quote Vance referenced. The statement — “Well: John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!” — was created and attributed to Jackson by journalist Horace Greeley (a Whig who loathed Jackson) in his 1864 work The American Conflict, published nearly 20 years after Jackson’s death. Yet, even critics of Vance and Trump’s disregard for the law have mistakenly accepted that, while the quote is fabricated, Vance’s portrayal of Jackson’s defiance of the Court holds validity.
Hadas Thier reports on federal workers challenging the Trump administration for Hammer & Hope.
Amidst significant setbacks, movements among federal employees offer a glimmer of hope. As federal unions engage in crucial legal battles that may take considerable time to resolve, a growing Federal Unionists Network has emerged, providing an essential platform for grassroots members eager to resist.