by Will Espero
President Donald Trump has begun his second term, and the first 30 days have produced many executive orders and actions by the president.
He has taken action where he said he would during the presidential campaign so residents and citizens are not too surprised.
His actions against immigrants have started, and many undocumented residents are now living in fear.
I saw a figure stating that 300,000 Filipinos are illegally in the United States, and I believe there are thousands of undocumented workers in Hawaii.
A significant drop in Hawaii residents would contribute to the labor shortage we have in our state.
The Trump administration has started rounding up undocumented residents with an emphasis on those who are criminals or committed crimes.
On the face of it, this seems like a good idea to go after criminals. However, with no or limited due process, many families may be unfairly broken up or separated as spouses or children are allowed to live here.
Some business owners are also concerned about their minimum wage workforce, and others are concerned about laborers who work for cash such as in the agricultural industry.
If an aggressive effort in the farmlands to find undocumented workers is conducted, our vegetable and fruit prices might increase. The impact would negatively affect everyone.
The president has also fired inspector generals in the federal government who acted as watchdogs over government agencies, and this controversial move has many lawmakers on both sides of the fence concerned.
The purging of these inspector generals is unprecedented, and legal challenges are expected over the president’s actions.
Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., stated the president was breaking the law. The law is clear that the president must give Congress a 30-day notice and provide sound reasoning for the terminations, and this was not done.
The inspector generals play an important role in the checks and balances of our government, and their survival and independence from a presidential administration are now at risk.
The pardoning of the January 6th protestors who overran the United States Capitol and fought with the Capitol police was also one of Trump’s early controversial actions.
Many people, regardless of political affiliation, don’t support the idea of releasing violent criminals who injured many police officers and illegally entered the Capitol on the 6th.
Law enforcement organizations were very critical of President Trump for siding with the protestors and disregarding the seriousness of the crimes and felonies. Despite the criticism, Trump is trying to rewrite history, and redirect the storyline of January 6th.
It is true that President Biden pardoned his family members and others he felt the current administration might target with retribution and revenge.
In my opinion, the pardoning of violent criminals should never be considered until at least a majority of their sentence has been served. Those who physically injured or hurt others should not have been pardoned at this time.
President Trump said he would help end the war between Ukraine and Russia, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Trump was unusually critical of his friend, Vladmir Putin, for prolonging the war, and their relationship will be one that is closely watched in the next four years.
If Trump cannot convince Putin to end the war, Trump will be seen as the weaker leader. If Trump can convince Russia to stop its aggression, it would be a victory for the president as long as Ukraine is still strong, independent, and free.
The president does want a more efficient government, but his actions created much confusion and concern.
Trump’s desire to own or control Greenland due to its strategic location and importance is interesting. Denmark has no intention of giving or selling Greenland to the United States, but this has not stopped Trump’s tone or rhetoric.
It reminds me of the way Americans looked at and coveted the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 1800s. Businessmen, missionaries, and government officials wanted the islands, and sadly, the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown.
I don’t expect an invasion or coup to secure Greenland, but Trump’s continuous statements about Greenland make me wonder how far he will go to get his wish.
The same goes for Trump’s comments about the Panama Canal. Trump mentioned he wouldn’t mind if the USA took the canal back due to corruption and the high cost of using the Panama Canal. This is not sitting well with Panama, and I suspect the rhetoric between our two countries will continue for some time.
Trump did rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and Mexico is not recognizing Trump’s proclamation. This idea is just nonsense and foolish, and the president needs to spend time on issues such as gun control, affordable housing, alternative energy, crime, and world peace.
Much has happened in the Trump administration in the first 30 days, and there is more to come. The president has become a disruptor, and his actions are keeping everyone on their toes. I wish the president well as he serves our nation and determines the priorities for our country.
Low inflation, jobs, safe communities, global peace, social injustice, and homelessness are a few issues I wish he would seriously consider in the next four years.
His time in office will go by fast, and if the first 30 days are any indication, President Trump’s actions will certainly be monitored closely and filled with controversy and opposition by many here and abroad.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and State Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues.
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