Some have seemingly overlooked the turmoil of Donald Trump’s presidency. To remind everyone of his controversial tenure, I compiled a list highlighting significant issues he faced while in office, arranged without any particular hierarchy. Feel free to share and add any points I might have missed.
In an effort to obscure the details of his scheme, Trump urged both the White House and the State Department to ignore congressional subpoenas, which fundamentally challenged the checks and balances in government.
This series of actions led to his impeachment on December 18, 2019, marking him as the third U.S. president in history to face such a measure. He was formally charged with serious offenses, namely abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Even while under scrutiny for soliciting Ukrainian interference in the 2020 election, Trump shockingly called upon China during a press conference to do the same, highlighting his reckless disregard for electoral integrity.
Trump seemed intent on eroding public trust in democratic processes. Long before ballots were cast on Election Day in 2020, he began making baseless allegations that the election was rigged, sowing seeds of doubt among his supporters.
Post-election, Trump persisted with his claim that the election had been stolen from him. Alarmingly, this claim was dismissed by his closest advisors — including his campaign manager, White House attorneys, and even officials from his own Justice Department. In a striking confession, his appointed attorney general labeled the fraud allegations as nothing short of “bullsh*t.”
Despite more than 60 legal challenges to his claimed electoral fraud being dismissed in court, many of which were presided over by judges appointed by Trump himself, he continued to perpetuate the “Big Lie,” undermining the basic tenets of democracy.
In a blatant attempt to manipulate public perception, Trump ordered the Justice Department to publicly assert that the election had been “corrupt,” a directive that was only curtailed when the department’s top officials threatened to resign in protest.
Trump and his supporters exerted undue pressure on state officials in Arizona and Georgia, attempting to coerce them into altering official election results. This distressing tactic was notably caught on tape, revealing the depths of their conspiratorial efforts.
In a dramatic escalation of his attempts to contest the outcome of the election, Trump pressured Vice President Mike Pence to obstruct the certification of electoral votes, a request that Pence ultimately rebuffed.
Trump incited a mob to attack the Capitol on January 6 with a provocative tweet urging supporters to “be there, will be wild.”
Testimonies revealed that when warned that demonstrators were armed, Trump irresponsibly ordered security metal detectors to be removed. This callous decision heightened the threat posed by the violent mob.
Knowing full well the crowd was armed, Trump egged them on to march to the Capitol and “fight like hell,” disregarding the potential for violence and chaos.
During the violent insurrection that ensued, Trump made no effort to intervene or stop the violence. Rather, witness accounts affirm that he chose to ignore the chaos and simply watched television for hours, seemingly indifferent to the turmoil he had incited.
On January 13, 2021, Trump etched his name in history as the only president to be impeached twice. The charge this time was incitement of insurrection, and it was a bipartisan vote reflecting grave concerns across party lines.
Ultimately, 57 out of 100 senators voted to convict Trump, a notable break from party loyalty as seven Republican senators joined their Democratic counterparts in holding him accountable.
In an apparent move to obstruct justice, Trump pressured then-FBI Director James Comey to terminate the investigation into his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and Flynn’s interactions with Russian officials, an incident thoroughly examined in the Mueller report.
When Comey did not comply with his wishes, Trump took the significant step of firing him, further showcasing his willingness to disregard due process.
Trump sought to quash the Mueller investigation by instructing White House Counsel Don McGahn to dismiss Mueller, yet McGahn rebuffed him, recognizing the potential criminal implications of such an action.
Following the revelation of his dismissal attempt, Trump unnervingly instructed McGahn to lie to officials, the media, and the public about the incident, even urging him to fabricate documents to cover up his actions.
In a obstructive maneuver, Trump directed his staff not to disclose emails revealing that his son Donald Trump Jr. had arranged a meeting at Trump Tower with representatives from the Russian government during the crucial 2016 election season.
Trump coerced his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, into lying to Congress regarding the timeline of a Trump Tower project in Moscow, resulting in Cohen’s imprisonment for misleading lawmakers.
Although Trump was not formally charged for obstruction, due to Justice Department policy against indicting sitting presidents, over 1,000 former federal prosecutors signed a letter asserting that there was ample evidence warranting prosecution for his actions.
In a stunning display of allegiance to Vladimir Putin, Trump publicly dismissed U.S. intelligence assessments confirming Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, raising profound concerns about his loyalty to the nation.
Despite his claims of surrounding himself with “the best people,” Trump faced numerous legal scandals, leading to the convictions of key associates like his campaign chair and deputy chair, national security adviser, personal lawyer, chief financial officer, and a campaign foreign policy adviser, among others.
All of these individuals were implicated in serious crimes, and instead of addressing the issue, Trump chose to grant pardons to many of them, undermining the judicial process.
Trump promised to “drain the Washington swamp,” yet he filled his administration with an unprecedented number of billionaires, CEOs, and Wall Street executives, a stark contradiction to his campaign rhetoric.
In an alarming act of favoritism, Trump intervened to secure top-secret security clearance for his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who had been initially denied due to concerns regarding foreign influence.
Kushner was then assigned the significant task of drafting a Middle East peace proposal that notably excluded Palestinian voices, demonstrating a desperate disregard for inclusivity.
Trump faced widespread condemnation internationally for relocating the American Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move that further alienated Palestinians by shutting down their diplomatic office located in Washington, D.C.
Trump also recognized Israel’s claim over the Golan Heights, an action widely viewed as unlawful under international law.
In a highly controversial meeting, Trump hosted a Russian foreign minister in the Oval Office, where he carelessly disclosed classified intelligence, raising alarms about national security.
Despite promising economic benefits from his tax cuts for average families, which he claimed would yield a $4,000 annual raise, most American families saw little change while the nation’s wealthiest doubled their fortunes.
Trump pledged to protect American jobs but failed to stop the trends of offshoring, while manufacturing sectors experienced a notable decline.
His grand claims of infrastructure improvements went unfulfilled, with numerous failed “infrastructure weeks” becoming a running joke among critics who pointed out his inaction.
Despite his assertions of being the voice of American workers, his administration stacked the National Labor Relations Board with anti-union members, actively making it more difficult for employees to unionize.
Trump’s Labor Department implemented policies that facilitated employers in evading overtime pay obligations, unfairly affecting around 8 million workers and stealing their deserved earnings.
Trump’s discussions around the prospect of serving more than two terms openly flouted the constitutional limits set for U.S. presidents.
As impending electoral defeat loomed, Trump audaciously suggested postponing the 2020 election, creating panic among those who value the democratic process.
Trump infamously disparaged Haiti and African nations by labeling them “sh*thole” countries, prompting outrage from various communities and leaders worldwide.
His attempts to terminate DACA, which shields immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, faced legal resistance and were ultimately blocked by the courts.
Trump repeatedly dismissed climate change as a “hoax,” demonstrating his disregard for scientific consensus and the environment.
He withdrew the United States from the Paris climate agreement, signaling a retreat from international climate leadership.
Throughout his presidency, Trump dismantled over 100 environmental regulations designed to protect air and water quality, significantly endangering public health.
Every budget proposal Trump submitted included cuts targeting vital programs like Social Security and Medicare, undermining support for vulnerable populations.
Trump’s attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act could have resulted in approximately 20 million Americans losing their healthcare coverage, yet he still persists in vowing to dismantle it without presenting a credible alternative.
He made it easier for employers to eliminate birth control coverage from health insurance plans, endangering women’s reproductive health rights.
During Trump’s tenure, the number of uninsured Americans grew by 3 million, marking a significant regression in healthcare access.
In a highly alarming incident, Trump allegedly took hundreds of classified documents, including sensitive national security materials, from the White House and stored them unsecured at Mar-a-Lago, even showcasing them inappropriately to guests.
Trump casually considered the idea of using nuclear weapons to disrupt hurricane formations, suggesting a severe disconnect from scientific understanding.
He humorously thought he could alter a hurricane’s trajectory using a Sharpie, a declaration that sparked widespread ridicule and disbelief.
Trump offered questionable advice regarding California’s wildfires, suggesting the forests be “cleaned” instead of addressing systemic issues like climate change that contribute to such disasters.
By proposing the purchase of Greenland, his lack of diplomatic acuity became a subject of mockery both domestically and internationally.
Trump infamously canceled a diplomatic trip to Denmark, mistakenly believing that the country opposed his plan to acquire Greenland, further highlighting his persistent misunderstandings of geopolitical matters.
His repeated public disparagements of German Chancellor Angela Merkel seemed rooted in personal pettiness over her recognition as Time’s Person of the Year over him, showcasing his inability to separate personal grievances from international relations.
Trump exercised his veto power to thwart a bipartisan congressional effort aimed at terminating U.S. military aid for Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the devastating conflict in Yemen, which has resulted in a staggering loss of civilian lives.
Disturbingly, Trump referred to fallen military service members as “losers” and “suckers,” claims corroborated by multiple sources, including his former Chief of Staff John Kelly, highlighting a severe lack of respect for those who served.
John Kelly also alleged that Trump made troubling comments praising Adolf Hitler, indicating a deeply concerning attitude towards historical atrocities.
Trump’s remarks expressing a desire for military leaders to show loyalty akin to that of Hitler’s generals demonstrated an alarming misunderstanding of military ethics and allegiance.
In a shocking statement, Trump proposed that the military should shoot Black Lives Matter demonstrators, inciting outrage and raising questions about his approach to civil unrest.
Furthermore, he attempted to cut $460 million in funding designated for unhoused veterans, displaying a stark lack of compassion for those who served the country.
Trump has repeatedly expressed disdain towards Gold Star families, infamously belittling Army widow Myeshia Johnson by saying her husband “knew what he signed up for,” showing a complete disregard for their sacrifice.
Instead of extending sympathy to Myeshia Johnson, Trump subsequently launched a public attack against her, solidifying his reputation for pettiness and vindictiveness.
In a concerning display of recklessness, Trump risked the safety of Gold Star families by visiting them while reportedly positive for Covid, later trying to shift the blame for his infection onto them.
Throughout his presidency, Trump continuously targeted the free press, labeling any unfavorable coverage as “fake news” and depicting journalists as “the enemy of the people,” undermining the essential role of investigative journalism in a democracy.
Data compiled by Washington Post fact-checkers revealed that Trump made an astonishing 30,573 false or misleading statements during his presidency, averaging a staggering 21 inaccuracies each day.
The Trump administration was characterized by chaos and instability, evidenced by the rapid turnover of personnel, including four chiefs of staff, four press secretaries, and seven communications directors within a mere four years.
His irrational claims even extended to contesting the results of the only election he won, misleadingly asserting that “millions” had voted illegally in 2016 to explain his popular vote loss.
The inconsistent imposition of tariffs during his presidency resulted in an estimated additional cost of $1,277 per year for the average American family, engendering financial strain for many.
Globally, Trump became the punchline of countless jokes, as demonstrated by his reception at the UN General Assembly, where he was met with laughter rather than reverence, a clear indication of diminished U.S. prestige abroad.
He enforced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, undermining the contributions of capable servicemen and women based on identity rather than merit.
In a move reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, he allocated $5.4 million in taxpayer funds for a military parade in Washington, D.C., aiming to showcase power rather than celebrate democracy.
Trump sought to roll back protections for nearly 35 million acres of public land — an expanse comparable to the entire state of Florida — in a bid to appease corporate interests at the expense of conservation efforts.
There’s an endless array of actions that have drawn scrutiny, from his exchanges of “love letters” with North Korea’s oppressive dictator to his late-night Twitter tirades.
While it’s understandable that many may wish to block out the chaos and divisiveness of Trump’s presidency, it is crucial to remember how detrimental his time in office was for our nation.
Moreover, it is vital to recognize that Trump’s actions were often restrained only by those around him who resisted his more extreme impulses. If he were to regain power, he would likely surround himself with sycophants ready to obey his every command.
We cannot afford to see him return to the highest office in the land.
Trump foreign policy
Ties and trade policies led to economic uncertainty, affecting various sectors and straining relationships with allies.
Trump’s approach to foreign policy was often marked by impulsive decisions, including withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, which had significant implications for global diplomatic relations and security.
His administration faced intense scrutiny for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with critics pointing to a lack of preparedness, mixed messaging, and an apparent downplaying of the virus’s severity, which contributed to a devastating loss of life.
Trump’s reluctance to wear masks and promote public health guidelines during the pandemic was viewed as detrimental to efforts aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.
He frequently touted unproven treatments and therapies for COVID-19, raising concerns about the dissemination of misinformation and its potential impact on public health decisions.
Throughout his presidency, Trump’s rhetoric often intensified divisions within the country, leading to increased polarization and unrest, particularly following events like the violent clashes in Charlottesville and the protests related to police brutality.
In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede, promoting a narrative of widespread voter fraud without evidence, which culminated in the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as his supporters attempted to overturn the election results.
In the wake of the Capitol riot, Trump’s actions were widely condemned, with accusations of incitement to violence leading to his second impeachment, making him the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice.
Despite the impeachment, Trump maintained significant support among his base and continued to influence the Republican Party, raising questions about the future of American politics and the legacy of his presidency.
