With so much transpiring each day, it is often difficult to assess the state of our union in 2025. However, I think that now, more than ever, we need to be honest about the direction in which we are heading, and recognize some of the dangers before we have fallen into an irreversible rift.

In this article, we will take an extended look at some of the most-pressing issues affecting Americans, and what needs to be done to address, redirect, or mitigate them.

Emoluments and Beyond

Trump is not only the first billionaire president, he is also the first president to add billions to his net worth as a direct result of his office. From meme coins to lavish gifts from Middle Eastern royals, the President and his family have raked in a vast amount of wealth in record time, and it doesn’t appear that anyone is stepping in to stop them.

The most-troubling of Trump’s current means of enriching himself and his cronies is his newfound love for crypto. Not only did Trump launch his meme coin ($TRUMP), which is estimated to have generated him hundreds of millions in net worth, he, alongside his two sons, Eric and Don Jr., have successfully launched World Liberty Financial ($WLFI), a crypto-centric company looking to offer services in DeFi (decentralized finance). It is estimated that these two developments, as well as several smaller enterprises, have netted the Trump family a staggering $5 billion this year. Beyond the value behind these investments, Eric and Don Jr. have seen a sharp rise in their influence in the crypto sphere, speaking at conferences and lining their own pockets, with the former becoming a billionaire in his own right.

However, as in every zero-sum financial game, there were losers on the other sides of these deals. Within the first day of launching, the market capitalization of the governance token (think of this as a share of stock) for $WLFI fell by 50%, leaving many investors who bought in on the ICO (initial coin offering) on major exchanges, like Coinbase and Binance, with heavy losses. The world of crypto has often been vilified precisely because of the high frequency of scams and so-called ‘pump-and-dump’ schemes, but never have we seen an American president as the chief architect behind them.

Beyond this clear money-making scheme, Trump has not deprived himself of the opportunity to improve his life beyond his bank account, using his time as president to open new golf courses in Scotland, accept a $400 million jet from Saudi Arabia, reappropriate $200 million for a new White House ballroom, and cover the once-sacred Oval Office in golden gaudiness. These actions are indicative of a president with little respect for the sanctity of the office, especially the Emoluments Clause, which seeks to limit the commander in chief’s ability to engage in domestic and international corruption.

It was clear on Trump’s inauguration day, during which he was flanked by the world’s wealthiest and most-powerful men, that this president would act swiftly to benefit the 1% to the detriment of the remaining population. This has proven true, with world’s richest man and former Trump advisor, Elon Musk, using his money and power to attempt to influence the election, infiltrate internal government data systems, sign new government contracts for his various enterprises, and generally elevate his standing amongst the other American oligarchs. He does not stand alone, however; 10 of America’s richest men have seen their combined net worth skyrocket by a jaw-dropping $360 billion, all while average Americans have seen record increases in personal debt, as well as a national deficit that has eclipsed annual GDP. For a closer look at the American economy and its current standing, check out my article here.

Even more shameful than this blatant abuse of power is what Trump has done to siphon away wealth from ordinary Americans, chiefly with his ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which promises to slash Medicare and add trillions to the national debt. Despite record highs in the stock market, average citizens are feeling the pain, and the Trump administration appears content to allow them to continue to suffer, so long as they themselves are comfortable.

On the World Stage

It’s safe to say that Trump is a polarizing figure, even beyond the borders of his jurisdiction as the Commander in Chief. The beginning of his second term was literred with outlandish claims, like America’s conquest to cede Greenland from Denmark, as well as the promise to make Canada the 51st State. Not only are these notions preposterous, they are also incredibly damaging to global goodwill on behalf of the United States, and recent polls show that the majority of the world has lost confidence in Trump’s ability to effectively execute his duties as ‘Leader of the Free World.’

Next came tariffs, which, unfortunately, Trump and his administration continue to fail to understand. Announcements on duties on virtually every trading partner of the United States have caused innumerable instances of panic in global markets, and a series of extended deadlines and contradicting policies have left investor confidence shaky, at best. The truth of the matter is that neither Trump, nor his closest advisors, seem to grasp the concept of tariffs, and have already peddled falsehoods about the $8 trillion in revenues purportedly generated for the United States government, claiming that the money is flowing directly from foreign nations into American coffers. Of course, this money (not $8 trillion, by the way) was actually extracted from American consumers, and it is only the delay of tariff deadlines that has spared the American economy even higher inflation.

Tariffs are not only economically detrimental, but, according to the federal court, are unconstitutional in nature, and are outside of the realm of the president’s power. As usual, the Trump administration went on the offensive, vowing to fight the ruling, which allows the tariffs to remain in place until they can be appealed in October. There was one other development worth noting within this saga that you might’ve missed - the US bond market appeared increasingly unstable as the possibility of the government having to return the revenues generated by these tariffs raised concerns that more money will have to be borrowed, or printed, to cover the difference. This development comes at the same time that corporate bankruptcies in the United States are hovering at record highs, and the labor market is showing signs of weakness amidst a booming and surprisingly resilient stock market.

Trump isn’t scoring any points as a negotiator, either, with his claims to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours apparently forgotten as the conflict escalates to dangerous new heights, and his insistence that he brokered peace between India and Pakistan curtly rebuked. His handling of these delicate diplomatic endeavors has demonstrably alienated key allies, like the EU, India, and Ukraine, to name a few, while simultaneously displaying Trump’s reverence for autocrats, like Vladimir Putin, whom he recently met with on American soil to the shock and distress of leaders around the globe. The President’s world view is increasingly at odds with reality, and his administration, and its affinity for isolationist policies, have weakened global trust, worldwide supply chains, and future progress. To learn more about the pitfalls of American Isolationism, check out my article here.

All in all, in a world of chaos, Trump firmly insists on being at the center of it. Ultimately, the world’s view of the United States as a superpower has taken a significant hit, and enacting policies that pit America against our allies virtually ensures a continuation of this downtrend.

The War on Immigration

It seems that America hasn’t learned her lesson. From the Trail of Tears to Japanese internment during World War II, the United States certainly has a bloody record in regards to immigrants. Of course, there are many examples of immigrants achieving great things in this country, especially the generations that arrived in the early 20th century, who enjoyed a blossoming of human rights and economic strength that gave rise to the ubiquitous notion of the ‘American Dream.’ However, times have changed, and the current approach of the Trump administration concerning the treatment of illegal aliens is reminiscent of many reigns of terror before, especially that of Hitler’s Nazi revolution and genocide of millions of Jews and targeted groups.

Although I understand the need and desire to make sure that everyone comes to America through the legal process, I still believe that we need to live up to our proclaimed values, even in our relations with foreigners. If America is truly founded on the principle that each person is endowed with human rights, then this claim extends beyond our borders. Respecting the sanctity of life of others, including their access to due process and proper care during times of captivity, must still be upheld if we are to consider ourselves champions of democracy and defenders of human rights.

Beyond the dangerous rhetoric that takes root in times when people of certain groups are vilified, the Trump administration has gone to great lengths to prove that they are committed to this mission. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has notched record budget increases, and nearly everyone in the world has seen sickening abuses of power on behalf of law enforcement in regard to the identification and detainment of suspected illegal aliens. No expenses are being spared - the government is now offering high salaries and even cash bonuses to join the ranks of ICE, and even throwing in benefits, like student-loan forgiveness and retirement perks.

Not only is there now financial motivation to hunt down these alleged perpetrators, but the administration has already overstepped its bounds, and has not been effective in actually processing deportations to reach its goal of 4 million by the end of the term. This has already caused strains on the budget, and the government will be forced to continue funding this effort, effectually leaching even more resources away from social programs designed to support America’s vulnerable groups.

If the administration is successful, even modestly, in deporting at this scale, the damage to the economy will be immense, with vegetable prices already rising 40% in July of this year. Jobs from the industries of farming, hospitality, and other generally difficult, yet essential, vocations in the United States will vanish overnight, and the cost of following the rules and enforcing minimum wage payments and protections for workers will bite into profits for already-struggling businesses.

Ultimately, as has been the case for a great deal of America’s history, immigrants truly are the backbone of so many institutions in our nation, and we certainly would not have reached this status in the world without their sacrifices. If the ultimate goal is to reduce criminality and relegate immigration to the legal process, then I agree that there is reform needed there. However, human rights should always trump persecution, and basic respect for human life must be ensured.

A Constitutional Crisis

The President enjoys wielding his power, especially in ways that have transcended the so-called ‘checks and balances’ that Americans like to point to. From pressuring and threatening Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell, to weaponizing federal funding for states, Trump is a bully, through and through, constantly searching for leverage over his opponents. Although a great many court cases have been won over the administration, the constant barrage of unethical uses of power have seriously burdened the Justice Department, and the actions at the center of the lawsuit are allowed to continue until an official ruling is made. The tariff ruling is an excellent example, as the tariffs will continue to be in place until October, and this fails to curtail Trump’s use of power. Even following an unfavorable ruling, the Trump administration has demonstrated that it is willing to disobey orders from judges - just ask Abrego Garcia and his family.

There is no question that Trump is redefining the boundaries of power, and the fact that he has been so successful in this pursuit leads to questions on just how robust our democracy is. If the wealthy and powerful are allowed to live by their own playbook and enrich themselves, what is it that we, as citizens, are receiving in return for our sacrifices and challenges?

The Epstein Files

It is safe to say that the Epstein Files have been more than a thorn in Trump’s side. Although the President is a master of misdirection, this appears to be the one caveat to that rule, and even a portion of MAGA has turned against him on this scandal. Several attempts and failures at releasing the files earlier this year have already drawn doubts that the ability to trust what the government does release still exists. It has become abundantly clear that the administration has something to hide, and the pressure is mounting.

One reason for this is the astounding amount of evidence against Trump, including countless photos of him alongside Epstein, and decades of friendship between the two. The President has been protected from some of the consequences of similar scandals, but the question has become whether proof of wrongdoing in this instance would be enough to compell Congress to act. Remember, Trump has already been impeached twice - unsuccessfully. The old paradigm has been broken, and we can’t expect that our officials will always act responsibly, honorably, or even expeditiously.

In my opinion, this case should be explored further, and EVERYONE who is implicated should be punished, including members of other parties, countries, and groups. A President is, on a foundational level, still subject to the limitations of an average citizen when it comes to criminal activity, and Trump should have to appear and address this matter in a court of law.

Whether this will happen remains a serious question, but if there is one thing that we’ve learned through the Age of Trump, it’s not to doubt the insanity of his next move.

The 25th

The drama around Trump’s physical fitness for the position of executive of the highest office in the land has been brewing for some time, but is presently beginning to dominate the narrative. His mental fitness has always been questionable.

Trump has appeared several times in public now with severe bruising on his hands, and from releases on the medications that he is taking, we know that he is suffering from congestive heart failure. Instances of Trump looking feeble have risen in frequency tremendously this year, and many have begun to wonder how much the administration is hiding from the public about the President’s health. This issue has not been improved by the release of reports on what was withheld from the public during Biden’s term, including his recent announcement of his diagnosis with cancer.

Of course, Trump returned valiantly over the weekend, and dismissed any and all concerns about his wellbeing. This topic should not be discarded, however; the presidency is too important a job to be done poorly, and Trump should hold himself to the same standards to which he held his predecessor.

A Long Road Ahead

It is a truth of life that it is much easier to destroy something than to build it, and, therefore, much quicker. In a world in which American governance sought to protect its citizens and hold its political leaders to the same standards of those outside of Washington, many of the actions that this administration has taken would have been nullified before going into effect.

This is all to say that the danger of Trump’s policies and conduct are not only immediately troublesome, but call into question the future of America as a society. Record rollbacks on progress in Climate Change, Women’s Health, Immigration Reform, Healthcare, and so many of the other issues that directly impact all of us have seen the clock turned back on American progress, and the world is noticing.

There is reason to remain hopeful. Harvard won its case against Trump today, ensuring that the ‘War on Woke’ does not have the opportunity to disrupt the quality of education at America’s foremost university. California received a victory with the ruling that Trump’s deployment of military to Los Angeles was illegal. Democrats are even winning races, from time to time.

Unquestionably, the coming months will be consequential beyond measure. Nearly all of the above issues are in critical cases that will evolve quickly, and will set the tone for the next 3+ years of Trump’s term. Will we get our act together in time, before the damage is irreversible?

Now, we answer that question.