The second coming of Donald Trump
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Donald Trump took the oath of office for the second time and assumed power as the 47th President of the United States. Nothing extraordinary is expected in his second term compared to his first. Before the inauguration of the new term, a victory rally was held at the Capital One Arena in Washington on Sunday, where the newly elected president addressed the crowd with his 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) slogan and delivered his proclamation, signalling the start of his second term as strong as the first. After ending 'America’s four years of decline,' Trump’s major announcement was that the first day, the first week, and the first hundred days of unprecedented events in the new president’s history would be presented to the people. He declared that a new era was beginning, marked by American strength, prosperity, prestige, and pride.
On the first day in office, Trump issued executive orders, a move traditionally carried out by American presidents, which align with the declared policies of American white nationalism. Similar to the first term of governance, the rule that halted illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border is one of them. Through that, a travel ban imposed on those from Muslim-majority countries will also be reinstated. Another order was the re-establishment of internal energy production schemes that were halted during Biden's administration, citing environmental protection. After the failed attempt to secure the presidency in the last election, frustration led to a violent attack on Capitol Hill. Another order was issued to release the 15,000 individuals involved in the attack. Thus, it became clear that the second wave was an attempt to further activate Trumpism, combining extreme right-wing nationalism and white supremacy. And he has identified a leadership line that matches such objective. Marco Rubio, who joined the Republican Party to contest the presidential candidacy as a rival to Trump in 2016, assumed the role of Secretary of State. After resolving differing opinions, Rubio has now firmly established his stance on Trump's foreign policy, playing a more active role. Peter Hegseth, a former host of Fox News, has been brought in as the Secretary of Defence to lead the 13-lakh-strong American military. Peter's credentials lie in being the spokesperson for Trump's slogan 'America First.' Similarly, other key figures such as John Ratcliffe, who became CIA Director, Michael Waltz, the national security advisor, and Christy Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, have shown consistent support for Trump.
When Trump's slogan 'Make America Great Again' was put into practice, foreign policy shifted from a traditional, multi-faceted approach to a more unilateral one. Trump, who observed international ties as economic connections, always prioritized America's economic interests in any decision. He initially came against NATO, justifying it by stating that only America was investing and spending resources. The move to increase tariffs on imports is also aimed at benefiting his own finances. Trump's swearing-in came at the time the World Economic Forum in Davos is happening. The extraordinary measures taken for large-scale trade, along with the country’s development efforts, have allowed the rich from various countries around the world to witness their dreams come true. After the Cold War, the liberal values of the global economic stage were somewhat undermined as Trump and right-wing populist governments in European countries began to take charge. As a result, the global national and economic alliances have been disrupted. The national public platforms of countries, such as the UN, have also become irrelevant. In the strong position held, the international economic institutions and constitutions that were formed have gradually weakened as events unfolded.
However, Trump's unprecedented move in the ceasefire in Gaza, 'stopping Israelis at the redline' is being watched with everyone wondering if it was a wise decision. When the well-wishers saw him turning away from supporting Israel, there are also pessimists who doubt whether the eventual release of hostages would ultimately lead to another destructive attack. It is beyond prediction; with Trump, anything could happen. It is with the prayer, 'God, please help me,' that the American president takes the oath of office. And the prayer of the world, which keenly watches where Trump and America are headed, is also: 'God, may the world be saved.'