During a recent interview with NBC reporter Kirsten Welker, President Trump was asked if he felt the need to adhere to the Constitution when making decisions that impact the lives of millions of American citizens.
He responded, “Well, I don’t know. I have many lawyers who work on that sort of thing.”
This response raises concerns about the clarity and decisiveness of his answers. A statement like “I don’t know” may be unsettling to many Americans. Is his indecisiveness to answer questions with clarity of thought an indication of early mental impairment? Or is he just physically and mentally exhausted from many years of political campaigning?
Nevertheless, his response to a simple question concerns me, and it should concern you as well, given he has taken the presidential oath twice to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
When he claims ignorance because his lawyers handle such matters, I question his intent to subvert the Constitution whenever it suits him. His willingness to defy or delay court orders suggests he is much more comfortable being an authoritarian than a leader for democracy.
Prior to his presidential victory in November 2024, he exhibited tendencies toward strong centralized control. His recent decision to unilaterally impose tariffs on various countries has significant economic implications globally. This trade disruption affects not only Americans, but people worldwide.
His tariff strategy has negatively impacted international trade protocols and the economies of other nations, altering America’s position from a leading nation in world trade to a less influential role.
Economists anticipate that this trade disruption will slow economic growth and potentially lead to a recession in the United States, with possible effects on other countries worldwide.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1929, which aimed to prevent economic decline in America, instead contributed to the Great Depression that lasted 10 years. This uncertainty may financially impact the lives of many Americans, causing some small businesses to face bankruptcy and large corporations to reduce production and lay off employees.
Since small businesses constitute 80 percent of the workforce in America, the outcome of the tariffs will significantly influence the economic landscape.
The question remains whether President Trump who never admits that he may be wrong on an issue, will continue to uphold his belief in the use of tariffs to support American manufacturing at the expense of a possible economic recession, or heed to the advice of his critics by removing the tariffs and reinstating international free trade agreements in order to stabilize global economies.
The byproduct of the latter decision would be the restoration of America as the most prosperous economy in the world
John White
Midway