As Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States began, a sense of urgency and rapid change has defined the first year in office. From a flurry of executive orders to a packed legislative agenda, the 45th president has wasted little time in pushing his agenda forward. But this breakneck pace has left many questioning the long-term implications for American democracy.
In the weeks following his inauguration, Trump signed a series of executive actions on a wide range of issues – from immigration and trade to energy and the environment. “We’re going to be very busy, folks,” the president proclaimed, making good on his campaign promise to “hit the ground running.”
This frenetic activity has continued throughout the year, with the Trump administration unveiling major policy shifts at a dizzying rate. One week it’s a new travel ban, the next it’s the renegotiation of NAFTA. Critics argue this constant state of flux is destabilising, making it difficult for the public and lawmakers to keep up.
“It’s a relentless assault on the norms and institutions of American democracy,” says Dr. Sarah Longwell, a political scientist at the University of Cambridge. “There’s no time for thoughtful deliberation or public input. It’s just executive action after executive action.”
Defenders of the president counter that he is simply fulfilling the mandate given to him by voters. “The American people wanted change, and that’s exactly what they’re getting,” says White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “President Trump is a man of action, not talk.”
Indeed, Trump has managed to sign more legislation in his first year than any president since Lyndon B. Johnson. This includes a major tax overhaul, the rollback of Obama-era environmental regulations, and the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
However, this breakneck pace has come at a cost. Trump has faced a record number of legal challenges to his executive orders, with several being blocked by federal courts. His administration has also seen an unusually high rate of staff turnover, with key positions remaining unfilled for extended periods.
“There’s a real risk of mistakes being made and unintended consequences,” warns Professor Robert Shapiro of Columbia University. “When you’re moving this quickly, you’re not leaving enough time for proper deliberation and vetting of policies.”
As Trump enters the second year of his second term, the question remains: can this frenetic pace be sustained, or will it ultimately prove unsustainable for American democracy? Only time will tell.
