Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Jan 14: Just two weeks into the new year, US President Donald Trump has triggered widespread political, economic and diplomatic upheaval with a series of aggressive actions, raising concerns even within Republican ranks as the country heads toward crucial midterm elections.
Trump has claimed control over Venezuela, intensified threats to seize Greenland, and deployed masked immigration agents across American cities. Adding to the turmoil is an unprecedented criminal investigation involving the Federal Reserve, an institution central to the US economy that Trump has repeatedly sought to pressure.
Historians and political observers say the scale and speed of developments are unusual even by Trump’s standards. “The presidency has gone rogue,” said Yale University historian Joanne B Freeman, describing the situation as unlike anything seen before.
Despite the risks — ranging from overseas military entanglements to destabilising the financial system — Trump appears undeterred. Speaking in Detroit on Tuesday, he claimed confidence in his leadership, insisting the economy is “surging” despite concerns over inflation.
However, his remarks quickly turned combative as he attacked Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has resisted pressure to cut interest rates. “That jerk will be gone soon,” Trump said, intensifying speculation over White House interference in monetary policy.
While Republican leaders have largely backed Trump during his turbulent second term, unease surfaced after Powell revealed that the Federal Reserve is facing a criminal investigation linked to his testimony on renovation work at the central bank.
Over the past year, the Justice Department has pursued cases against several of Trump’s critics, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and ex-national security adviser John Bolton. However, targeting the Federal Reserve appeared to cross a line for some conservatives.
Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, usually a staunch Trump supporter, voiced concern, saying Wall Street does not want to see such a confrontation. Analysts warn that undermining the Fed’s independence could spook markets and push borrowing costs higher — the opposite of what Trump seeks.
On the foreign policy front, Trump has taken steps that appear to contradict his long-touted “America First” stance. Most notably, the US carried out a military operation earlier this month to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from power.
Initially justified by allegations of drug trafficking, Trump has since reframed the move as an economic opportunity, announcing US control over parts of Venezuela’s oil trade and declaring the country would be governed from Washington. He even shared a meme referring to himself as Venezuela’s “acting president.”
Trump has also issued threats against Cuba and Iran and reiterated his claim that the US will control Greenland “one way or the other,” a statement that has strained relations with Denmark, a NATO ally.
With each new development, political analysts say the stakes continue to rise, both domestically and internationally, as voters prepare to judge Trump’s leadership in the upcoming midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.