"Trump's Administration: A Shift Away from Authoritarianism?"
In the political landscape of the United States, the administration of former President Donald Trump left a significant impact, marked by a series of policies, controversies, and debates.
One of the most prominent aspects of Trump's tenure was his approach to domestic issues, particularly in cities like Chicago, where he sent soldiers due to alleged rampant crime. However, the administration's policy in these cities, especially those governed by Democrats, was often met with resistance from the courts.
Trump's administration was also characterised by a focus on industrial policy, with high import tariffs proposed. While some saw this as a means to protect American industries, others warned of potential price increases.
The Trump administration's industrial policy extended to the technology sector, with companies like Nvidia and AMD being required to give 15% of their revenues in China as compensation for the granting of export licenses. Similarly, Intel was reported to have given the American state a 10% stake in the company.
Trump's policy was not just about economic matters. It was also a fight for the narrative of his administration's success. He frequently repeated claims that a year ago, the country was "dead" under his predecessor, Joe Biden, and now, the USA is the "hottest" country in the world.
The administration's policies were not without controversy. The independence of the Federal Reserve was questioned, with pressure on central bankers. Trump even considered firing Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and announced the firing of board member Lisa Cook.
Claudia Major, an expert on security issues at the German Marshall Fund, identified autocratic tendencies in the Trump administration. Key positions in the U.S. government proposed by Trump and associated with autocratic tendencies included Kash Patel as FBI Director, Russell Vought as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and other politically appointed figures replacing many federal employees under Project 2025, aiming for centralized control and reduction of independent agencies like the FBI and Homeland Security.
Trump's policy was also marked by a focus on promoting success stories of his administration through various channels. This was evident in the Labor Minister Lori Chavez-DeRemer displaying a giant banner of Trump's face on the facade of her ministry.
The Trump administration's approach to immigration was another point of contention. Masked individuals were seen during raids against migrants in the United States. Trump described the crime situation in Chicago as "rat-infested".
In the political arena, the Trump administration faced challenges, with major warning of potential dangers in the future, such as changes in the debate space, rewritten school curricula, and pressured research. Despite these challenges, Trump's Republican Party held the majority in both chambers of Congress.
Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East, expressed a wish for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. However, the administration's policies and actions were met with both praise and criticism, shaping the political discourse in the United States and beyond.
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