Donald Trump has continued his throwing of executive orders and pardons around like confetti. Whether it’s pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization, slapping a terrorist label back on Yemen’s Houthi movement, or pardoning some seriously dangerous goons, it seems the former-reality-star-turned-president is far more focused on making headlines than he is on “making America great again.”
First up, there’s the decision to ditch the World Health Organization. Trump’s reasoning? He’s mad about how they handled global health crises and thinks they’re a little too cozy with certain countries. Supporters of the move are cheering him on for sticking to his “America First” guns, while critics are losing their minds, pointing out that abandoning the WHO during a time when pandemics aren’t exactly rare might not be the genius move he thinks it is. But hey, who needs international cooperation when you’ve got political theatrics?
Then there’s his new take on Yemen’s Houthi movement. Trump decided to put the “terrorist” tag back on them, reversing the previous administration’s efforts to keep humanitarian aid flowing. Advocacy groups are begging for this decision to be reconsidered, warning it’s going to make life even harder in a country already mired in crisis. But Trump’s team insists it’s all about cracking down on “bad guys,” though this whole “making it harder to get food and medicine to starving people” thing might have history looking to see who the actual “bad guys” are.
And just to keep things spicy, Trump has ordered the release of classified documents about the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr. Sure, transparency is a good thing, and it’s well past time that someone finally does this, but the timing is totally suspect. Is this about giving historians a gift, or just a convenient way to distract everyone from the chaos he’s creating elsewhere? Like his controversial pardons.
His latest act is to hand out clemency to 23 anti-abortion activists, including Lauren Handy, who became infamous not just for clinic blockades but also for having five fetuses in her home. (Yes, you read that right.) Critics say this is going to embolden extremists, while anti-abortion groups are thrilled to have what they see as their heroes vindicated.
And then there’s the big one: Enrique Tarrio. The former Proud Boys leader, sentenced to 22 years for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack, is now free. Tarrio wasted no time making headlines again, accusing the Justice Department of corruption, naming names, and throwing out thinly veiled threats about “consequences” for those he blames for his conviction. He’s been rallying his supporters with rhetoric that, let’s be honest, feels less like “reformed citizen” and more like “villain planning his sequel.” Experts are waving red flags, saying this could spark a fresh wave of extremism, but apparently, Trump’s more interested in playing his role of chaos conductor.
These decisions are as divisive as ever, with critics calling out Trump for undermining democracy and giving a pass to people who think violence is an acceptable way to make a point. Meanwhile, his fans see this as more of his classic “bold leadership.” Whether you call it courage or chaos probably depends on which cable news channel you’re watching.
And let’s not forget the ripple effects. Pulling out of the WHO and messing with Yemen’s humanitarian aid have global consequences, and pardoning folks like Tarrio could set some dangerous precedents at home. But Trump doesn’t seem at all concerned about the long-term — his focus is obviously on keeping things as chaotic as possible.
As the rest of us grapple with this absurdity, one thing becomes evident: Trump continues to exhibit his signature behavior, and now his antics have reached an unprecedented level of Trumposity.