The commencement of the second Trump administration has been marked by swift and decisive actions. President Trump wasted no time in signing a series of impactful executive orders, setting the stage for a transformative term. Drawing from their experiences over the past four years, Trump and his close advisors have entered the political arena well-prepared.
Following recent challenges and a near-fatal incident, Trump appears to have adopted a strategy reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s approach to cultural conflicts: “We win and they lose.” The President has taken bold steps, particularly in addressing divisive issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology.
Through strategic executive orders, Trump has dismantled the DEI industry and reaffirmed merit-based opportunities within the federal government. This move not only prohibits racial preferences but also aims to eliminate illegal DEI programs in both public and private sectors. The era of the Great Awokening and radical concepts of “anti-racism” is fading, making way for a return to principles of color-blindness and individual character assessment.
To solidify these achievements, further actions are necessary. The Trump administration should issue a legal memorandum declaring DEI unconstitutional, in line with recent Supreme Court rulings on race-based preferences. Additionally, invoking Section 5 of the executive order to enforce these directives nationwide is crucial for long-term impact.
In parallel, President Trump’s executive order on gender ideology emphasizes biological truths over the concept of “gender identity.” By defining “sex” in biological terms, the order aims to protect women from extremism and restore clarity on this fundamental issue.
As Trump continues to implement his agenda, the landscape of cultural battles is shifting. The administration’s resolute stance on DEI and gender ideology is prompting significant changes across various sectors, indicating a paradigm shift in ideological discourse.
Trump recently issued an Executive Order prohibiting biological males from participating in women’s sports, marking a significant step in the gender/pronoun debate. This decision, along with his previous order, has made a powerful impact on the issue. While films like Matt Walsh’s “What Is a Woman?” have been influential, the actions of a determined president carry more weight in shaping public opinion. Trump’s order extends beyond sports, affecting federal prisons, rape shelters, and intimate spaces designated for women, emphasizing biological distinctions over ideological beliefs. Athlete-activist Riley Gaines commended Trump for his swift actions, highlighting the impact of his presidency. In a further move, Trump defunded hospitals providing surgical interventions for minors under the guise of “gender-affirming care,” drawing both backlash and support from various quarters. The Supreme Court is urged to dismiss a related case, while Trump’s stance on abortion, reinstating the Hyde Amendment and Mexico City Policy, has garnered praise from anti-abortion activists. His pardoning of pro-life activists and participation in pro-life events have solidified his support among this community.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is known for supporting pro-choice policies. On the other hand, the Trump-Vance campaign has repeatedly distanced itself from any potential federal abortion bans, even those considered mild. There are concerns about what approach Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will take on abortion policy at the Department of Health and Human Services, given his history as a pro-choice advocate. HHS, which oversees a significant portion of the federal budget, will need to ensure that all hospital and outpatient funding aligns with the conscience rights of pro-life practitioners.
Drug abuse and homelessness have been significant issues, with a surge in hard drug use and overdose deaths during the Biden presidency. While overdose fatalities decreased between July 2023 and 2024, the impact of the fentanyl crisis remains substantial. The annual number of narcotics overdoses surpassed 100,000 for the first time during the Biden administration, largely attributed to opiates like fentanyl. To address these challenges, a comprehensive strategy akin to the successful anti-drug campaign led by Nancy Reagan during the Reagan era may be necessary.
Furthermore, efforts to combat drug-related issues should not only focus on reducing demand but also on disrupting the supply chain, particularly targeting criminal cartels in northern Mexico. President Trump’s executive order designating these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations is a crucial step in addressing the drug epidemic that is fueling addiction and homelessness in the country.
In the realm of social media, there has been a shift in Trump’s approach towards Silicon Valley leaders. While some view this as an attempt to build relationships and avoid regulatory scrutiny, others remain skeptical of the motivations behind these interactions. The issue of TikTok, in particular, has garnered attention, with Trump delaying its ban to explore potential American ownership to address security concerns. Elon Musk, among these tech figures, has shown some alignment with MAGA principles.
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The encouraging development is that Brendan Carr, the newly appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission by Trump, holds a healthy degree of skepticism towards Big Tech. Upon being chosen by Trump to lead the FCC, Carr emphasized the importance of dismantling the censorship practices of major tech companies and reinstating the free speech rights of ordinary Americans. This is indeed a crucial objective.
Taking into consideration the FCC’s authority, the potential regulation of prominent social media platforms as common carriers has the power to bring about significant changes in the landscape. Josh Hammer, serving as the senior editor-at-large for Newsweek and the author of the upcoming book “Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West” (to be published in March 2025 by Radius Book Group), underscores the importance of these developments.
