A Subjective Note

It is hard to convey in a few words what it is like to live through this period of history. Trump's many executive actions come one after another, making vicious assaults on the government, the country, and our allies. Every day, there are two or three substantial changes for the worse. Day by day, Trump wields his ax, causing chaos and destruction. Under the guise of "Make America Great Again" (MAGA), Trump and his cohort are tearing apart the heart and soul of America.

Diagnosis

In two months, Trump has assumed enormous power. With the concurrence of the GOP majorities in the House and Senate, a cabinet of loyalists, and his new "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) aided by Elon Musk, Trump is trampling the laws and Constitution, dismantling opposition, and outrunning the courts. Trump is currently a dictator, free to exert his whims far beoynd the normal reach of government. At an incredible rate, he has taken America along the path to becoming a fascist state. A partial list of Trump's violations is available here.

In the past two weeks, Trump's damage has continued apace. The largest disruption has been imposition, partial removal, and various increases of a horrendous and chaotic mix of tariffs. USA and foreign markets are reeling. I expect that the economic damage will be enormous.

Prognosis

The speed and breadth of Trump's progress to date iindicates substantial risk that America will be drastically changed within the next year, perhaps for decades.

I see a number of factors that might slow or halt Trump's onslaught:

1) Perhaps Trump has made too many enemies and too many bad moves, too quickly. If enough Republican voters decide that he is delivering something very different from his promises, there could be enough pressure to cause defections among the GOP is congress.

2) Trump is severly stressing the economy. Perhaps the economy will worsen enough for Americans, especially those already struggling to make ends meet, to say, "Enough".

3) If enough citizens resist, we might make the difference betwee Trump charging ahead or struggling to make his intial gains stick

4) There are more than 100 pending court cases against his administration. Some judges have taken brave stands in preliminary rulings. The Supreme court hasn't been overrun, yet, though it has not taken any substantive stand. Perhaps this will change.

5) Perhaps Trump will make a single huge mistake that forces impeachment and removal.