Seeing through a blizzard can be a daunting challenge. When events unfold at a relentless pace, one after the other, everything merges into a formless blur. That confusion, that loss of equilibrium, appears to be precisely what Donald Trump achieved within his first 100 hours in office.
In a flurry of executive orders, proclamations, and directives, Trump has left many feeling the shock and awe of this unyielding presidential onslaught. Just look at what he’s orchestrated over the past few days.
Trump’s withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization was merely the beginning. Not only did he pardon those involved in the January 6th attempt to overturn the democratic election, but he extended forgiveness to all 1,500 implicated, including those who engaged in violence against law enforcement officials. Furthermore, he has moved to challenge the constitutional right to automatic citizenship for those born on U.S. soil.
His actions reversing climate change initiatives, such as removing incentives for electric vehicle purchases and halting offshore windfarm leases, show a marked shift in policy. Additionally, with the deployment of several thousand troops to the southern border, Trump is gearing up for a large-scale deportation effort targeting undocumented immigrants. He’s even authorized federal prosecutors to investigate local authorities who resist these efforts.
On the international front, Trump is looking to disrupt global trade by proposing the External Revenue Service, which would place tariffs on foreign imports. His assertion of seizing control of the Panama Canal from Panama, a crucial ally’s territory, adds another layer to these developments. Simultaneously, a senior lieutenant’s use of what appeared to be Nazi salutes at an inauguration event hints at dangerous ideological signals.
These actions are merely a snapshot. In isolation, any one of these moves could dominate headlines for days. But the overwhelming speed and volume of this “blizzard” means the media, traditional and social alike, struggle to keep pace, effectively numbing the public’s ability to fully comprehend or question what’s happening.
This rapid-fire approach suits Trump’s strategy well; opponents are still confronting one decision while he’s already moved three steps further, leaving critics with little traction to mount a counteraction. There’s an additional layer to this paralysis: the sheer unwillingness of some to acknowledge the realities taking shape.
Consider the reaction from Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for UN ambassador, who deflected the controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s outstretched-arm greeting. Her denial seemed to brush aside a blatant act, urging observers to doubt their own perceptions.
It’s not just the Trump loyalists employing denial tactics. Hardcore MAGA supporters dismiss unflattering realities, such as the pardoning of those who attacked police, attributing such narratives to media bias. However, the challenge extends beyond them. Democrats and liberal critics, confronting Trump once more, appear unsure of their approach.
Many avoid the confrontational rhetoric reminiscent of his first term’s ‘resistance,’ which they feel has proven ineffective. There’s also fear of contradicting a president who, after all, secured a popular mandate, or appearing excessively reactionary—labeled victims of the so-called “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Moreover, these groups hope to avoid falling into culture war traps, choosing carefully which battles to engage.
These risks are significant, yet Trump himself represents the most pressing threat. Recent events underscore why his actions demand scrutiny. It’s crucial to sift through the chaos and grasp what’s unfolding, as these shifts ripple through America’s democracy—and by extension, the world.
What we’re witnessing is a bold assertion of power, striving to operate unchecked. This is starkly evident in his challenge to birthright citizenship, echoing a nationalistic strategy to delineate insiders from outsiders by targeting the children of new arrivals. Despite constitutional protections under the 14th amendment, Trump presses on.
Some speculate he relishes the battle, poised as an anti-immigration figurehead. Others wonder if he anticipates a favorable Supreme Court ruling, given his three appointees’ influence. If the court pushes back, he may choose defiance, upending foundational governmental structures and inching towards autocracy—seeking, as Ezra Klein notes, to expand his kingly powers.
The mass pardon for the January 6 insurrectionists, whom Trump controversially terms “the J6 hostages,” essentially sanctions political violence allied with his cause. Freed allies may now stand ready, reminiscent of the far-right militia rhetoric.
This astonishing pardon not only challenges legal order but risks suspending it entirely. Trump has a tool to protect his supporters, much as the Supreme Court has shielded him, even potentially excusing violence against police, should it serve his interest. Democrats, wary after controversial pardons by Biden, struggle here—but Trump’s power now extends legal immunity to his acolytes.
Thus, from this week’s blizzard in Washington emerges a portrait of unchecked authority. A president and his inner circle wielding influence with scant opposition. Musk’s incendiary salute and the tepid media responses reveal a world largely unrestrained by traditional boundaries. The clearest objection arose not from institutional voices but from an Episcopal bishop.
From stripping security from critics to profiting off a cryptocurrency meme and on through to the very pivot of power itself—the White House morphs into an imperial court, unbound by partnerships, laws, or constitutional constraints. It’s imperative to recognize this transformation for what it is.
