1.      Which of Trump’s actions during his presidency has surprised you the most? Why?

It would be difficult to say that any of President Trump’s actions have been surprising. We knew that he would take a hardline stance on immigration and refugees. However, many hoped that Trump’s stances would become more moderate after taking the presidency, that he used populist rhetoric to win the election but that the atmosphere in Washington would bring him to the middle. We were wrong about that on most fronts. So, his actions so far have been surprising in degree, but not in kind.

For example, the suggestion by Spicer, Trump’s press secretary, that we may implement a 20% tariff on goods from Mexico is pretty extreme. Mexico is the third largest trading partner of the United States—and the second largest international trade partner of both Kansas and Missouri. A sudden sharp decrease in trade with Mexico would entail a shock to the U.S. economy that could reverberate around the world.

Additionally, I was shocked by President Trump’s Executive Order banning refugees from seven Muslim countries, which also constituted a retroactive ban on visa holders who were traveling abroad when the order was signed. It’s unsurprising that he took a hardline stance on refugees from these countries, but the ban has affected our legitimacy in the eyes of our allies who, due to their proximity to countries experiencing massive migratory shifts, do not have the ability to prevent refugees from turning up on their borders. Moreover, discrimination against refugees is prohibited by the Convention Related to the Status of Refugees, also known as the Geneva Convention, which America signed. Though this international treaty does not have coercive power over the United States, presidents normally recognize the usefulness of creating and abiding by such conventions when it comes to wielding legitimate power on the world stage and establishing international norms that are both advantageous to us and in accordance with our values.

2.      Did you expect Trump to be this active so soon in his presidency? What do you make of Trump’s so-called “hyperactivity”?

I did not expect this; in some senses I think it can be explained by his disregard for convention and the invertebrate-like nature of some elected Republican officials.

3. Are any of his actions concerning to you? Which ones are most worrisome?

Attempts by the administration to delegitimize and decrease trust in the media are extremely concerning. One of the most important aspects of democracy is credible media, so assaults on that credibility should be interpreted as a direct threat to American values and the American way of life.

Additionally, the administration’s insinuations regarding blockades in the South China Sea are indicative of an administration that either wants to go to war with China or has no idea what it is doing. Five trillion dollars’ worth of trade travels through the South China Sea; twenty percent of that trade is American. China is attempting to lay claim to the Sea despite conflicting claims by Southeast Asian nations. The need to handle this diplomatic crisis delicately is obvious, so I am hoping for all of our sakes that the new Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, relaxes his stance on the issue and seeks a diplomatic or sanctions-based solution instead of a blockade, which would be considered an act of war.

4. Do you think any of his actions so far can have positive benefits for this country?

I do approve of some of Trump’s actions. He has vowed to continue Obama’s executive order that put legal protections in place for LGBTQ+ workers. Additionally, he handled Iran’s ballistic missile testing by sanctioning several individuals and companies from the country. While the language of the Iran deal is ambiguous when it comes to ballistic missile technology, the test can be interpreted as a provocation of American response. Plus, the ability to act decisively is an important quality in the American president; deterrence depends on the credibility of threat. That credibility, if maintained and curated, will allow us to influence Iran without making war more likely.

Finally, hints that the Trump administration might not support the expansion of Israeli settlements are surprisingly moderate. Many analysts agree that territorial expansion of Israel violates international norms and will make a two-state solution with Palestine more difficult or impossible. I am hoping that Trump will maintain this stance after talks with Netanyahu. This would be beneficial to America’s reputation on the world stage, since support of the unbridled expansion of Israeli territory into Palestine is often seen as hypocritical.

5. Any closing comments

We live in a time of enormous anxiety from within and without the United States. I am deeply encouraged by the distinctly American response to these anxieties. From marches to boycotts to petitions to hashtags, Americans have remained an adversarial people whose right to criticize the government is both valued and deeply ingrained. For those interested in exercising that right, you can join the group “Jewell Democrats” on Facebook for information on upcoming marches and other opportunities for action.