Destroyed Structure Erected by FDR: Trump's Planned Demolition
Rebel Rouser vs. Grandmaster: The Clash of Titans
In the realm of politics, it's always fascinating to observe the juxtaposition of opposing figures. Today, we've got a modern-day maverick, President Donald Trump, who aspires to re-shape the American government, and a historical titan, Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose first 100 days in office set a benchmark for Presidential efficiency and progress. If Trump is a rebel, then Roosevelt is undoubtedly the grandmaster.
Trump, along with Elon Musk, envisions a redefinition of the American spirit, focused on slashing the size of the federal workforce, tearing down established agencies, and branding much government spending as wasteful. He's also intent on altering global trade dynamics and reshaping international alliances with breakneck speed.
In contrast, Roosevelt worked with Congress to pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression, refining the government, harnessing the power of his pulpit, and realigning political coalitions. FDR's New Deal aimed to rebuild the economy, convince Americans that government spending could enhance their daily lives, spur employment, and create a safety net.
I posed the concept of Trump as a sort of anti-FDR to Eric Rauchway, a distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, Davis, and author of numerous books on Roosevelt. Below, you'll find our edited and condensed conversation.
Trump: A Disguised FDR?
WOLF: Analysts have drawn parallels between Trump's second term and FDR's first, claiming Trump's intent is to act as FDR's reverse-image. Stephen Bannon recently spoke of a 1932-style realignment. As an FDR expert, what do you make of such comparisons?
RAUCHWAY: Superficially, Trump's policies appear opposite to those of the New Deal, with attempts to weaken regulatory mechanisms, cut public investment, and potentially diminish resources allocated to the Social Security Administration. However, the administrations are fundamentally different. Unlike Trump, Roosevelt sought and secured Congressional backing for his initiatives and acted within the confines of established laws, relying on a cooperative Congress rather than claims of inherent executive power.
Moreover, FDR's enduring coalition gathered traditionally Democratic voters, such as white Southerners and Blue-collar workers, as well as dissenting groups previously unaffiliated with the party. The current president's popularity appears more personal, and his impact has yet to leave a lasting imprint on the Republican Party, unlike FDR.
Trump vs. FDR: A Struggle for Policy Legacy
WOLF: Though Trump seems to employ a populist message, the education gap among voters has widened under his tenure. There's a growing stratification based on education levels, intensified by Trump's rhetoric. Do you believe the political landscape has undergone a realignment?
RAUCHWAY: I won't speculate on the future, but if we observe a sustained pattern of voters aligning with Trump along educational lines, then it may indicate a realignment. As of now, there is no concrete evidence pointing toward a permanent Republican shift, with voters viewing Trump's presidency as a personal popularity rather than a reconfiguration of the party.
Disassembling the New Deal: A Political Game of Jenga
WOLF: Many of the agencies established by FDR no longer exist in their original form, though Social Security remains a vital aspect of the safety net. As Trump seeks to dismantle the administrative state, is he targeting FDR-era institutions or more recent ones, like the EPA or the Department of Education?
RAUCHWAY: The Social Security Administration, born from the New Deal, is a prime target in Trump's efforts to downsize the government. Changes to labor relations, including the National Labor Relations Board, also reflect attempts to dismantle elements of the New Deal. The use of presidential power to manipulate tariffs is a departure from the trends established during the New Deal, with a move away from depoliticizing tariffs through expert negotiation.
Trump's approach to dismantling institutions closely resembles strategies used during the New Deal, with dismissals of executive agency members and alterations to trade policies. However, the administration's efforts to roll back environmental regulations and weaken labor protections are stark departures from FDR's vision.
The Great Depression: A Debate of Misinterpretations
WOLF: Trump recently argued that if Congress had doubled down on tariffs early in the Great Depression, its effects would have been less severe. Is this claim accurate?
RAUCHWAY: It's hard to argue with a claim that suggests the administration would have followed a strategy it did implement. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, passed in response to the Depression, is evidence that Congress did double down on tariffs early in the Great Depression. Historians would struggle to broadly address hypothetical questions about alternative historical scenarios.
Roosevelt's Communication Revolution: From Fireside Chats to Social Media
WOLF: FDR communicated with the public through fireside chats, a novel approach at the time. Trump has adopted social media to directly address citizens. How does this modern method compare to Roosevelt's radio addresses?
RAUCHWAY: Radio was a communal medium, with families listening together, whereas social media is more individualized, with users engaging on their personal devices. The shared, communal experience of radio enabled citizens to discuss and debate Roosevelt’s policies, fostering a sense of unity during difficult times.
Packing the Courts vs. Targeting Judges
WOLF: FDR infamously attempted to pack the Supreme Court by appointing additional Justices, while Trump's followers have sought to impeach district court judges. How does the fight over the courts today compare to FDR's efforts?
RAUCHWAY: Roosevelt sought to expand the Supreme Court to counterbalance opposing opinions, whereas Trump appears more focused on targeting individual judges. The current administration's antagonism toward the federal judiciary is unusual, given its considerable input in crafting the existing judicial structure.
Term Limits and the 22nd Amendment
WOLF: Trump has mused about his desire for a third term, an idea that seems impossible in light of the 22nd Amendment, passed following FDR's death. What led to the passage of this amendment, and why was there a distaste for having a president in power for more than two terms?
RAUCHWAY: The amendment was driven by a desire to prevent the kind of power Roosevelt wielded from being exercised indefinitely. Roosevelt was initially planning to step down after his second term, but the growing threat of war in Europe altered those plans. There is evidence that the public would have voted for Roosevelt’s opponent, Wendell Willkie, had there been no war, but given the crisis, they chose to stick with the President.
The Midterm Test: Trump vs. Roosevelt
WOLF: Roosevelt bucked the historical trend by expanding the Democrats' ranks in both the House and Senate during the first midterm elections of his presidency. How did FDR manage this feat, and what sets him apart from Trump in his approach to midterm elections?
RAUCHWAY: Roosevelt's success can be attributed to the material improvements his policies brought about, such as economic recovery and increased incomes. Unlike Trump, who struggled in the 2018 midterms to maintain Republican control in the House, Roosevelt's first midterm saw considerable Democratic gains due to popular support for his policies.
What Much of the Public Misses About FDR
WOLF: What key aspect of FDR's legacy do you wish more Americans understood? Are there common misconceptions among the general public regarding his presidency?
RAUCHWAY: I wish more Americans recognized the New Deal's success during Roosevelt's first two terms, even before the war effort. Roosevelt not only transformed government but also drove significant economic growth, setting the stage for the country's prosperity. His policies were not only good politics, but also sound economics, as the wartime boom would further demonstrate.
- Elon Musk, alongside Trump, seeks to redefine American politics, much like how Roosevelt substantively recalibrated the government during the Great Depression.
- In a departure from Roosevelt's approach, Trump's administration plans to build smaller government by slashing the size of the workforce and dismantling agencies, while FDR worked with Congress to expand the government and create a safety net for citizens.
- Just as FDR's New Deal aimed to recalibrate the economy and society, Trump's vision, if successful, could recalibrate the modern Republican Party, much like how FDR's policies reshaped the Democratic Party of his time.
