The Trump Presidency Timeline

Intensifying tensions in the Middle East, President Donald Trump has issued executive orders lifting sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, a policy reversal from the previous administration. This decision has emboldened radical settler groups, leading to violent raids on Palestinian villages such as al-Funduq and Jinsafut. Nightwatchman Said Bashir recounted the terror as settlers torched vehicles and damaged properties, actions that occurred under the watchful eyes of Israeli soldiers. Critics argue that these policy changes not only undermine the prospects for a two-state solution but also exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region. The colonization of Palestinian land and the displacement of indigenous communities have been a recurring theme in the region's history, and the current situation poses a significant challenge to peace efforts.

I think the title sums it up pretty well

In a shocking turn of events, Trump has pardoned nearly all those convicted in relation to the January 6 insurrection, because nothing says 'law and order' like a get out of jail free card for your most loyal rioters. Historians, those pesky truth-keepers, are sounding alarm bells about the normalization of political violence—but sure, why listen to the experts when you can keep playing the strongman handbook? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian who studies authoritarian regimes, notes that this move is right out of the autocrat playbook, used by none other than Mussolini and Pinochet. In other words, Trump is now doing his best impression of failed fascist leaders. But hey, remember when political violence was just a one-off event? Now it's a regularly scheduled part of American life, just like Thanksgiving, but with less family drama and more threats to democracy.

The Trump administration’s Justice Department is hitting the brakes on civil rights litigation and police reform agreements. First, the DOJ froze its civil rights division's litigation efforts, effectively sidelining cases designed to combat systemic discrimination . Then, in another bold move, it halted enforcement of police reform agreements, signaling a departure from efforts to hold law enforcement accountable and implement reforms . Critics argue these decisions prioritize politics over justice, leaving vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of regressive policies. Looks like “law and order” only goes one way.

Continuing in his quest to make America a shithole, President Donald Trump has issued full and unconditional pardons to former Washington, D.C., police lieutenant Andrew Zabavsky and officer Terence Sutton Jr., who were convicted in the 2020 death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown. The officers had been found guilty of charges including conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to a high-speed chase that resulted in Hylton-Brown's death. Sane-not-psychotic-people that these pardons undermine accountability for law enforcement misconduct and send a troubling message about the consequences of such actions.

hiring a fox to guard the henhouse, President Trump has nominated David Fotouhi as the Environmental Protection Agency's deputy administrator. Fotouhi, a former lawyer for Gibson Dunn, has a track record of representing companies accused of environmental harm, including challenging the EPA's asbestos ban and defending firms linked to PFAS contamination. Critics argue that his appointment signals a troubling shift in the agency's commitment to environmental protection, as Fotouhi's past clients are the very industries the EPA is supposed to regulate. Why would we want to conserve this planet?

In the next saga of "lesson unlearned," President Trump is slashing funding for virus research, including studies aimed at preventing the next pandemic. Apparently, enduring a global health crisis wasn't enough to convince the administration of the importance of scientific preparedness. Critics argue that this short-sighted decision leaves the nation vulnerable to future outbreaks, but hey, why invest in prevention when you can just repeat history? Let's just let viruses run rampant in the most unhealthy population to walk this planet

In a not so stunning throwback to the "we're testing too much" days of COVID, Trump has ordered the CDC, FDA, and HHS to pause all public communication unless it’s explicitly approved by the White House. Because nothing builds public trust like gagging health experts during a public health crisis! Critics are calling it a dangerous move that undermines transparency, while supporters… well, probably think science is overrated anyway. Apparently, the strategy here is simple: if the public doesn’t hear about it, the problem magically goes away. Public health by wishful thinking—what could go wrong?

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of their own endorsements. The National Police Union, which proudly backed Trump, is now condemning him for pardoning Capitol rioters who attacked law enforcement on January 6. Shocking, right? Who could’ve predicted that aligning with someone who thrives on chaos and lawlessness might backfire? It’s a classic case of “we didn’t think the leopards would eat our faces,” but here we are. As they scramble to distance themselves from Trump’s latest move, one can’t help but wonder: was this their first clue, or just the most embarrassing one?

Redefining "swift justice," Daniel Charles Ball, freshly pardoned by President Trump for his January 6 escapades, managed to land himself back behind bars just 24 hours later. Ball, who had been accused of hurling an explosive device at Capitol police, was rearrested on federal weapons charges after authorities discovered a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition at his Florida residence—a big no-no for a convicted felon. It seems that while Trump can wipe the slate clean, he can't stop someone from scribbling all over it again. As the first among 1,500 pardoned individuals to boomerang back into custody, Ball's rapid recidivism serves to remind us we live in the dumbest of timelines.

Leaving actual economists scratching their heads, President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating federal income taxes, suggesting that increased tariffs could fill the revenue gap. Critics argue that this plan could disproportionately burden lower- and middle-income Americans, as tariffs often lead to higher consumer prices. Additionally, experts warn that such a shift could destabilize the economy and strain international trade relations. While the idea of abolishing income tax may sound appealing, the potential consequences of relying solely on tariffs could be far-reaching and complex. Hey, who are we kidding though, it's not like Donald Trump even pays his taxes as it is. Freeloader.

In a brilliant display of short-sightedness, potential ICE raids have scared off scores of immigrant farm workers, especially in California's agricultural hubs. With up to 75% of workers in areas like Bakersfield ditching their shifts, the fields are looking emptier than a politician's promise. Considering that immigrant labor made up about 73% of the U.S. agriculture workforce in 2021, this crackdown is poised to disrupt the food supply chain. So, as we bid farewell to affordable avocados and reasonably priced romaine, Americans are about to get a harsh lesson in Economics 101: when labor disappears, prices soar. Who knew that the backbone of our bountiful produce aisles was the very workforce now being targeted?

Pre-inauguration throwback! The self-proclaimed king of “the art of the deal” now wants to eliminate the debt ceiling entirely, because apparently, when you’ve already ballooned the national debt by nearly $8 trillion during your last term, what’s a few more zeros? So much for fiscal conservatism—the party of balanced budgets is now more like the party of “just put it on the tab.” Critics point out that removing the debt ceiling doesn’t fix reckless spending; it just removes the brakes. But hey, why limit yourself when you can run up the credit card and let the next guy worry about it? Responsible governance, Trump-style!

Throwback from before the inauguration! Nothing says “billionaire priorities” like a single Elon Musk tweet derailing a government funding bill that included $190 million for pediatric cancer research. In true dystopian fashion, Musk’s public opposition led lawmakers to strip funding for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Program, named after a young cancer victim, from the final package. Apparently, helping kids beat cancer just didn’t vibe with the new fiscal mood. Critics are calling it a shameful reminder that, in modern politics, a billionaire’s 280 characters hold more weight than the lives of vulnerable children. Democracy at its finest!

Alarming healthcare advocates, President Donald Trump has revoked several initiatives implemented by the previous administration to reduce prescription drug prices under Medicare and Medicaid. Among the rescinded measures were a $2 copay cap for generic medications and programs designed to lower costs for drugs granted accelerated FDA approval. Additionally, a program intended to assist Medicaid in affording expensive cell and gene therapies has been halted. Critics argue that these rollbacks could lead to increased out-of-pocket expenses for patients and strain public health programs. He's on government healthcare, what does he care?

In a move that just screams 'unity', the Trump administration has decided to put federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) staff on paid leave. Because nothing says 'equality' like axing any programs that might actually promote it. Trump's executive orders accused the Biden administration of encouraging discrimination by, you know, trying to include everyone. In other words, discrimination is bad unless it fits into Trump's dystopian vision of 'making America great again'. Federal employees are now being asked to out any covert DEI activities—because apparently, diversity was the real enemy all along.

In a move that will surely go down as one of the most bold and ethical decisions of his presidency, Donald Trump has generously decided to grant blanket pardons to over 1,500 individuals who participated in the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. After all, when murderers are walking free (according to Trump), why should seditious conspirators face any consequences? Trump, ever the champion of justice, has also included pardons for leaders of extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Because nothing says 'restoring democracy' quite like absolving those who tried to dismantle it. Even some Republicans are raising eyebrows at this move, with Senator Thom Tillis drawing the line at pardoning those who assaulted police officers. But fear not, Trump assures us that the real criminals were pardoned by Biden, who dared to protect congressional staff from politically motivated witch hunts.

In a move sure to be remembered as a shining example of justice, President Trump has extended his benevolent hand to over 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, dishing out pardons like they were candy at a Fourth of July parade. In other words, 'reconciliation' now means wiping the slate clean for folks who turned 'peaceful protest' into an episode of American Gladiators with police officers as unwilling contestants. Jan. 6's very own reality star, Jacob 'QAnon Shaman' Chansley, wasted no time in sharing his gratitude, proclaiming his eagerness to buy more guns—because nothing says 'thanks for the freedom' like rearming. Meanwhile, law enforcement officers who got their 'thanks' through PVC pipes and bear spray are left wondering if their sacrifices were just part of a really bad TV script. But sure, Trump says we're starting a 'process of national reconciliation'—a process where accountability and consequences are clearly optional.

In a bold stroke of presidential 'genius', President Trump kicked off his new term by signing executive orders to eradicate those pesky federal DEI guidelines. After all, nothing screams 'unity' quite like dismantling initiatives aimed at racial equality and LGBTQ rights. Picture Trump at his inaugural podium, promising to end this 'social engineering' nonsense—because anything beyond white male privilege is just too much social work. Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, former head of DEIA at the State Department, calmly dismantled Trump's 'colorblind meritocracy' fantasy, highlighting that merit-based decisions didn't traditionally favor just one homogenous group. But sure, President Trump, let's pretend centuries of systemic bias can be 'out-executived' into oblivion.

In a move that has reignited debates over the ethics of profiting from incarceration, President Donald Trump has rescinded Executive Order 14006, which previously directed the Department of Justice to phase out the use of privately operated criminal detention facilities. This decision reverses the policy implemented during the Obama administration and reinstated by President Joe Biden in 2021, which aimed to reduce profit-based incentives in the prison system. Critics argue that for-profit prisons have historically been associated with higher rates of violence and substandard conditions compared to publicly operated facilities. The revival of private prison contracts is expected to benefit major corporations in the industry, raising concerns about the influence of profit motives on incarceration policies. Industries that control human lives should never be for profit, because these assholes prove time and time again that they will gladly take the profits and fuck the people.