Trump's Second Term Marked by Controversy and Criticism

Elon Musk, appointed by President Donald Trump to dismantle the federal government, is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in making deep cuts to various government agencies. Musk and his team, including young tech whizzes, are roaming government halls, demanding access to files and pushing tens of thousands of federal workers to consider resigning or risk being fired. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is an early target, with administrators put on forced leave and aid facilities shut down, leaving potentially lifesaving deliveries to spoil. Critics warn that the cuts will have severe consequences, including delayed Social Security claims, reduced food safety inspections, and a gutted disaster response. Despite claims of finding tens of billions of dollars in "waste, fraud and abuse," many of DOGE's claims have been disputed, with some "savings" figures being off by a factor of 1,000.

A New York Times/Siena College poll found that President Trump's approval rating is 42%, and voters see him as overreaching in his first 100 days of his second term, with 54% saying he has "gone too far." The poll also showed that voters view Trump's presidency as "chaotic" (66%) and "scary" (59%) rather than "exciting" (42%). Trump's agenda is unpopular, with majorities disapproving of his handling of seven policy areas, including immigration, trade, and foreign conflicts. Additionally, Trump's advantage on the economy, a key strength, is eroding, with only 43% approving of his economic handling. The poll also revealed that Elon Musk, a top Trump adviser, is viewed unfavorably by voters, with a 35% favorability rating.

The New York Times/Siena College poll shows President Trump's job approval rating is at 42%, with voters disapproving of his handling of various issues, including immigration and the economy. Only 43% view him favorably, the lowest since his attempted assassination last July. The poll suggests Trump's numbers are bad, but the extent of the damage can be interpreted in different ways. Four perspectives on Trump's poll numbers are presented: compared to other presidents, his 42% approval rating after almost 100 days is disastrous; compared to January expectations, Trump's first 100 days are a disappointment as he failed to capitalize on his election victory; looking back on his almost 100 days, Trump's decline in ratings is not surprising given his radical agenda; and looking ahead to the next 1,365 days, Trump's ratings may slip further due to ongoing issues like tariffs and executive power, posing risks to his presidency if they fall into the 30s.

The American Civil Liberties Union (A.C.L.U.) has filed an updated lawsuit seeking to help return around 140 Venezuelan migrants who were deported to El Salvador under the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime law. The A.C.L.U. argues that the migrants were not given sufficient time to challenge their deportations and that the administration's use of the law is unlawful. The lawsuit cites two recent Supreme Court decisions, one of which ruled that migrants must be warned in advance of deportation under the Alien Enemies Act, and another that required the administration to facilitate the release of a wrongfully deported individual from foreign custody. While courts have issued provisional orders stopping the administration from using the law to deport additional migrants, the A.C.L.U. is now seeking to bring back those already deported.

The Trump administration restored the legal status of thousands of international students studying in the US, but warned that their status could still be terminated in the future. The decision came after a wave of lawsuits were filed by students whose records were deleted from a federal database, SEVIS, often with minimal explanation. Immigration officials characterized the restoration as temporary and insisted they could still try to terminate the students' legal status. The administration had previously moved to cancel over 1,500 student visas, sparking panic among students and academics, with some leaving the country to avoid deportation. Lawsuits continue to move forward, including a potential class action, to prevent further mass cancellations.

A New York Times/Siena College poll found that voters believe President Trump is overreaching with his efforts to expand executive power, with 54% saying he is exceeding his available powers. Trump's approval rating stands at 42%, with significant doubts about his handling of key issues like the economy and immigration. Many voters, including independents and some Republicans, are concerned about his use of tariffs, immigration enforcement, and cuts to the federal workforce. The poll also showed that voters are questioning Trump's policy agenda and do not believe he empathizes with their struggles. Large majorities oppose Trump's executive orders and believe that a president should not be able to impose tariffs, eliminate programs, or deport certain immigrants without authorization. Overall, 50% of voters said the changes brought by Trump are a "bad thing," and many feel his policies have hurt them more than helped.

A Milwaukee judge, Hannah Dugan, was arrested by the FBI on charges of obstructing immigration agents and concealing an individual to prevent his arrest. The incident occurred when federal agents attempted to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, in her courtroom. Judge Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through a side door, allowing him to escape into a non-public area, and was subsequently caught by agents on the street after a foot chase. The arrest is seen as a significant escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to enforce immigration laws and has sparked concerns about the independence of the judiciary. Judge Dugan was released on her own recognizance and has vowed to fight the charges, with her defense team stating that she will "defend herself vigorously" and "looks forward to being exonerated."