President Donald Trump’s second term is marked by significant differences from his first term. He’s more emboldened, willing to challenge the Constitution and courts, and demands more loyalty from Republicans. However, Trump 2.0 is also in direct competition with his former self in several key areas.
Trump’s aides are exploring ways to oust Jay Powell, the Fed chairman he nominated during his first term. Trump told House Republicans he had drafted a letter to fire Powell, but later seemed to forget he had nominated him. “I was surprised he was appointed,” Trump said. “I was surprised, frankly, that Biden put him in and extended him, but they did.” Biden renominated Powell.
Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico contradicts his previous efforts. During his first term, his administration negotiated the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a reboot of NAFTA. “He’s undoing himself with a vengeance,” said presidential historian Tim Naftali.
Trump has changed his stance on bitcoin and cryptocurrency, possibly due to his family’s business interests. He now supports a US-based company buying TikTok, a departure from his previous stance.
Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Health and Human Services director, elevating a vaccine skeptic to a top policy role. Kennedy fired CDC vaccine advisory panel members and brought in vaccine skeptics.
Jim Sciutto notes that Trump is more aggressive in his second term, less likely to be deterred by advisers. “In his second term, President Trump is proving less likely to be deterred by advisers or advice against his more aggressive moves in international affairs,” Sciutto said.
Allison Morrow, agrees that Trump is different in his second term but remains the same in one key way: avoiding accountability. “Fundamentally, I think Trump wants to avoid accountability,” Morrow said.v
Trump’s approach to healthcare has shifted. Instead of trying to repeal Obamacare, he’s cutting future spending from Medicaid, which will have a similar effect.
Brian Stelter notes that Trump is acting more forcefully against news outlets. “Instead of merely tweeting insults at independent media outlets, he is taking concrete actions to penalize those outlets,” Stelter said.
Kristen Holmes suggests that Trump’s second term is not about undoing his first term but rather being better prepared. “Trump and his allies had four years to prepare for him to be president again,” Holmes said. This preparation is evident in his administration’s unified approach to policy.
As Trump’s second term continues, it’s clear that he’s taking a different approach to governance. Whether this will lead to more effective policy or increased controversy remains to be seen.