Death's Emissary, a piece by Alfred N. Muggins
In the United States, the second presidency of Donald Trump, who is now known as Trumpenstein, has left a significant impact on the nation's democracy and economic fairness.
### Democracy Under Scrutiny
The new President has raised concerns with several of his actions, starting with the pardons issued on his first day in office, which included 1,500 individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. This move was criticized for undermining accountability for the attack on democratic institutions.
Trumpenstein's immigration policies have also been controversial. The Laken Riley Act, executive orders blocking asylum seekers, and attempts to end birthright citizenship have restricted immigration rights, impacting democratic principles related to due process and equal protection under the law.
The establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aimed to cut federal spending and bureaucracy, leading to mass layoffs of civil servants. This move raises questions about the functioning and impartiality of government agencies.
Moreover, the administration's actions against specific law firms, such as stripping security clearances from members of Covington & Burling LLP, have raised concerns about politicization of legal processes and potential suppression of dissenting legal opinions.
### Economic Fairness at Stake
Trumpenstein's economic approach has focused on protectionism through tariffs, especially targeting China. These tariffs have contributed to the 2025 stock market crash, disrupting international trade and affecting economic fairness for businesses and workers reliant on global supply chains.
The "America First Investment Policy" aimed to limit Chinese investment in the U.S., potentially protecting certain domestic industries but limiting investment opportunities and market efficiency.
While presidential disaster declarations and infrastructure funding aimed to provide relief and support economic recovery, the reduction of federal employees might save government spending but could also reduce services affecting economically vulnerable populations, potentially widening disparities.
### A Complicated Legacy
Trumpenstein's presidency has intensified partisan divides and raised questions about the protection of democratic norms, especially concerning accountability for the January 6 attack and immigration rights. His economic approach focused on protectionism, which has had destabilizing effects on markets and trade but aimed to bolster U.S. industries.
However, these measures also risked harming consumers and certain economic sectors, complicating the picture of economic fairness. Overall, Trumpenstein's presidency has had complex and divisive effects, strengthening some aspects of national control and economic nationalism while challenging democratic accountability and introducing economic disruptions.
Politics has become a contentious issue under Trumpenstein's presidency, with concerns raised over his pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, immigration policies that restrict rights and question the functioning of government agencies, and actions against specific law firms.
In the realm of music, the controversies surrounding Trumpenstein's presidency have inspired numerous songs and debates, reflecting the general-news and opinion of the time.
The business sector has also felt the impact of Trumpenstein's policies, with protectionist tariffs contributing to the 2025 stock market crash and the "America First Investment Policy" potentially limiting investment opportunities.
Science has not been immune to the effects of Trumpenstein's presidency, as his focus on protectionism disrupts international collaborations and research, affecting the efficiency and progress of scientific advancements.
War-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice have risen to the forefront of American concerns with the polarized political climate, with policy-and-legislation debates surrounding accountability for the January 6 attack and the implications of immigration policies on due process and equal protection under the law.
