An unpopular president continues to push radical changes on the country

 

Despite sinking poll numbers, President Trump has pressed forward with controversial policies, bulldozing through the institutional checks designed to constrain him.

This weekend’s headlines paint a picture of a presidency in trouble: Trump’s approval ratings have declined, his Pentagon leadership is in turmoil, his tariff policies have rattled markets, his immigration agenda is facing multiple legal challenges, and Vladimir Putin has openly defied Trump’s vow to end the war in Ukraine within a day.

All of that is true. But it’s not the whole story of Trump’s second term so far.

There’s another narrative — one where Trump is still aggressively reshaping the government, reordering international alliances, weakening constitutional safeguards, influencing American culture, and expanding presidential power. He may not achieve every goal, but he remains the dominant figure, compelling institutions, foreign governments, and lawmakers alike to react, adjust, and, at times, appease.

A new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll reinforces the public’s growing unease with Trump's leadership. His approval rating has dropped. Support for his immigration agenda has eroded. Economic confidence is slipping, with many fearing a recession ahead. Most Americans believe he is exceeding the proper limits of presidential authority.

Yet there’s little indication that modest drops in support will slow Trump or his advisers — unless the numbers deteriorate significantly or a stronger opposition arises. From the outset of his second term, he has pursued controversial initiatives with relentless energy, bulldozing obstacles as they appear.

That’s not to say Trump can’t be forced into tactical retreats. He has already reversed course several times on tariffs. Still, no president in recent history has been as infatuated with tariffs as Trump. Many economists view his trade wars as disastrous, and public skepticism is growing. Nonetheless, Trump remains convinced that America has been "ripped off" for decades — and he is determined to be the one who collects the bill.

For nearly a century, the United States has been a guarantor and financier for its allies. Trump has declared those days over, whether in terms of NATO funding or trade deficits. European leaders are scrambling to adjust to a future where the U.S. may no longer be a reliable partner. Even partial implementation of these changes could have profound global consequences.

Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine rages on. Last week, Russia launched some of the deadliest attacks seen in months. After one night’s onslaught, Trump posted “Vladimir, STOP!” on social media.

Frustrated and impatient, Trump told Time magazine that his claim to end the war in a day had been “said in jest.” He is pressuring Ukraine for concessions while insisting that Russia’s decision not to fully annex the country is itself a concession. Even Republicans like Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) have criticized Trump, with Grassley saying that Putin is “playing America as a patsy.”

Domestically, significant upheavals are underway. Elon Musk, having overseen an effort to reorganize government functions through the newly created U.S. DOGE Service, is returning to Silicon Valley to rescue his ailing electric vehicle empire. While the immediate budgetary savings are modest, the broader disruption to government priorities and structures is substantial. Agencies are being dismantled or restructured, and Trump’s advisers, notably Stephen Miller and Russell Vought, remain firmly entrenched alongside embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump occasionally overreaches — for example, when he posted about firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, triggering a market meltdown. Though he later walked back the threat, the mere possibility of such moves continues to rattle markets and institutions.

On immigration, Trump’s administration has struggled to implement its full agenda. Southern border crossings have fallen sharply — though they were already declining during the Biden administration’s final months. The pace of deportations, however, has disappointed Trump and his officials. Judges have chastised administration lawyers for failing to comply with immigration rulings, and on Friday, the White House reversed course, reinstating visas for many foreign students pending further policy review.

Despite these setbacks, there’s no sign of a strategic rethink. Trump remains committed to delivering on a key campaign promise, playing political hardball in ways he never dared during his first term. The arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, accused of obstructing immigration enforcement, is a stark escalation — a warning to opponents that Trump is prepared to use intimidation.

Public opinion on Trump’s immigration agenda has shifted. In February, The Post-ABC-Ipsos poll showed a narrow net positive; now, support has turned negative by seven points. Americans narrowly disapprove of deporting immigrants suspected of gang membership without court hearings to prisons in El Salvador.

Nevertheless, Trump’s team seems confident that emphasizing the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records resonates better with voters than Democratic appeals to the rule of law, even as Democrats themselves struggle to articulate a unified immigration policy.

Traditionally, presidents seek major legislative victories in their first 100 days. Not Trump. He has governed almost entirely through executive orders, pushing an expansive interpretation of presidential power that far exceeds what recent presidents have attempted.

For many Americans, this expansion is alarming. Trump dismisses such concerns. Speaking to Time, he said, “I don’t feel I’m expanding it. I think I’m using it as it was meant to be used.”

Could anything truly rein him in? The courts could, eventually — but the ongoing litigation will take months to unfold. Meanwhile, Trump’s changes are taking root, becoming harder to reverse with time.

Congress should also act as a check, according to the constitutional design. But though polling shows some Republican unease, GOP lawmakers largely remain unwilling to challenge Trump, fearing the consequences of crossing a president who has openly vowed revenge against dissenters. As Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) recently put it: “We are all afraid. … I’m often very anxious myself about using my voice, because retaliation is real. And that’s not right.”

Trump’s support could continue to erode. Political pressure could mount. If Republicans pursue Medicaid cuts in their upcoming budget, they could further alienate voters. Democrats could win back the House in 2026. Yet the velocity and scale of Trump’s actions mean that the disruption from his early months in office may leave a lasting imprint on American governance.