How to Be Cruel: 10 Lessons from the Trump Administration
The first 100 days of Trump’s second term—a masterclass in governance, if your goal is to dismantle institutions, sow fear, and redefine cruelty as policy. Let’s delve into the highlights of this unparalleled journey.
Lesson 1: Family Separation—Because Nothing Says ‘Welcome’ Like Trauma
Trump’s administration has taken family separation to new heights, not just at the border but across the nation. Executive orders have challenged constitutional norms, attempting to end birthright citizenship and invoking wartime powers to justify mass deportations . The creation of a controversial registry requiring millions of undocumented individuals to submit personal data has heightened fear within immigrant communities .Time
Lesson 2: Mass Firings—Efficiency Through Unemployment
In a bid to streamline government operations, the administration has executed mass firings across various departments. The Department of Defense announced plans to fire about 5,400 employees, with intentions to cut up to 61,000 civilian workers . The Department of the Interior saw about 2,300 employees dismissed, including 1,000 from the National Park Service . NOAA wasn’t spared either, with around 880 employees terminated, affecting critical services like the National Hurricane Center .Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia
Lesson 3: Contract Cancellations—Because Commitments Are Optional
The administration has taken a cavalier approach to existing contracts and commitments. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has aggressively pursued policies threatening the integrity of America’s federal public lands, targeting them for increased energy development, logging, mining, and potential sale . This move undermines previous commitments to conservation and public access.Wikipedia+3Vox+3The US Sun+3
Lesson 4: Weaponizing the Courts—Silencing Through Intimidation
Trump’s administration has not shied away from using the legal system as a tool for suppression. A presidential memorandum titled “Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court” targets lawyers and law firms that file lawsuits against the administration, threatening them with revocation of security clearances and exclusion from federal contracts . This move has been widely condemned as an attempt to intimidate legal opposition.Wikipedia
Lesson 5: DOGE Stimulus Checks—The Carrot That Never Was
In a move that blurred the lines between satire and policy, the administration floated the idea of $5,000 DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) stimulus checks. Despite promises, no checks have been issued, and skepticism grows as Elon Musk reportedly steps back from DOGE duties . The initiative appears more as a distraction than a genuine economic relief effort.The US Sun
Lesson 6: Purging Oversight—Because Accountability Is Overrated
On January 24, 2025, Trump announced the immediate firing of at least 17 inspectors general across various federal agencies . These watchdogs, tasked with investigating allegations of fraud and abuse, were dismissed without the legally required 30-day notice to Congress. This “Friday night purge” has been criticized as an attack on transparency and accountability.Wikipedia
Lesson 7: Silencing Dissent—Deporting the Opposition
The administration has targeted political dissidents, particularly pro-Palestinian international students and academics, for deportation. Over 1,000 individuals have had their visas revoked or status terminated, often based on social media activity . This approach raises serious concerns about freedom of speech and due process.Wikipedia
Lesson 8: Undermining Science—Firing the Forecasters
In a move that alarmed the scientific community, the administration abruptly terminated around 880 employees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including staff from the National Hurricane Center and Storm Prediction Center . These firings compromise the nation’s ability to provide accurate weather forecasts and emergency information.Wikipedia
Lesson 9: Privatizing Public Lands—Selling Off National Treasures
The Trump administration has aggressively pursued policies that threaten America’s federal public lands, including national parks and wildlife refuges. These lands are being targeted for increased energy development, logging, mining, and potential sale for housing . Critics argue this neglects public will and environmental safeguards.Vox+1The New Yorker+1
Lesson 10: Expanding Power While Shrinking Government—A Contradiction in Terms
While advocating for reduced government scope through deregulation and agency cuts under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration simultaneously expands executive power. This dual strategy reflects more of a personal power consolidation than a coherent philosophy, aligning with a historical pattern where authoritarian control coexists with neoliberal economic policy .Vox+2The New Yorker+2The US Sun+2
In summary, the first 100 days of Trump’s second term have been marked by a series of actions that, while framed as efforts to increase efficiency and security, have often resulted in reduced transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. The administration’s approach raises critical questions about the balance between governance and authoritarianism.
