Trump’s Second Term Executive Orders

Chukwuka

Alright, welcome back to The New Sentinel, folks. Today, we’re diving into the economic aftershocks of President Trump’s second-term executive orders. Now, if you’ve been following us since our “Muskonomics” episode, you’ll know we’ve seen some wild swings in trade and tech policy, but this—this is a whole new level. Let’s start with those tariffs. We’re talking about EO 14257, right? Reciprocal tariffs, 10% baseline on all imports, and up to 49% for countries like China. That’s not just a shot across the bow, that’s a full-on trade cannon.

Duke Johnson

Yeah, Chukwuka, and don’t forget the 25% tariffs on foreign automakers and countries importing Venezuelan oil. That’s a big stick. The administration’s saying it’s about rebuilding American manufacturing, and honestly, you can see it in places like Ohio and Michigan—factories are humming again. But, man, you talk to small business owners, and they’re sweating bullets over higher costs. Supply chains are getting squeezed, and I’m hearing a lot of grumbling about inflation ticking up. I mean, a 10% universal tariff? That’s gonna hit the average Joe at the checkout line, no way around it.

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

You’re right, Duke. And it’s not just about the numbers. There’s a real risk of a trade war here. China’s already retaliating, and EO 14266 had to tweak the tariffs just to keep up. I remember reading Ian Bremmer’s warning—he said we’re on the edge of a full-blown U.S.-China trade war. That’s not just headlines, that’s real risk for global stability. But, you know, there’s a flip side. Some of these moves are giving a shot in the arm to U.S. steel and auto. It’s a chess game, but the board’s on fire.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

And let’s not forget who pays the price when the board is on fire, Ethan. These tariffs might help some manufacturing jobs, but they also raise prices for everyone, especially low-income families. And the closure of the de minimis loophole? That’s going to hit small importers and consumers who rely on affordable goods. Plus, if inflation rises, it’s the most vulnerable who suffer first. We saw this during COVID, and we’re seeing it again now.

Chukwuka

True, Olga. But let’s pivot to energy. Trump’s orders—EO 14259, the national energy emergency, all that—are all about unleashing fossil fuels. Texas, Alaska, they’re seeing job growth, no doubt. I’ve got cousins in Houston who say oil rigs are hiring again. But, and this is a big but, environmentalists are sounding the alarm. Rolling back regulations might boost profits now, but what about the long-term costs? Hurricanes, wildfires, you name it. It’s a trade-off, and I’m not sure we’re ready for the bill when it comes due.

Duke Johnson

Look, I’m all for energy independence. I served overseas, and I know what it means to rely on foreign oil. But, man, I gotta admit, the rollback on environmental regs is a double-edged sword. Sure, it’s good for jobs in the short term, but if we ignore renewables, we’re gonna get left behind. The world’s moving on, and we can’t just drill our way out forever.

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

And then there’s the Department of Government Efficiency. Elon Musk at the helm, purging nonpartisan staff for loyalists. I mean, I get the idea—streamline, cut costs, make government run like a business. But I’ve seen what happens when you lose institutional memory. After 9/11, I was consulting in D.C., and when you swap out experience for loyalty, you get chaos. TSA, Social Security, all those systems rely on people who know the ropes. You can’t just replace them overnight and expect things to run smooth.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

Exactly, Ethan. And it’s not just about efficiency. When you purge nonpartisan staff, you risk politicizing everything. That’s dangerous for democracy. We’ve already seen critical services disrupted, and the people who suffer most are those who rely on government the most—the elderly, the disabled, the unbanked. The Treasury’s move to eliminate paper checks might save money, but what about people who don’t have bank accounts? It’s always the vulnerable who get left behind.

Chukwuka

Yeah, Olga, and I’ll just say this—short-term savings are tempting, but if you lose the people who keep the lights on, you’re asking for trouble. We saw it after 9/11, and we’re seeing it again now. Alright, let’s keep moving—because the political storm is just getting started.

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

So, let’s talk about the immigration crackdown. EO 14161, the Alien Enemies Act, all that—Trump’s doubling down on border security. Bans on certain nations, expanded deportations, even targeting foreign students. It’s red meat for his base, no question. But, man, the legal challenges are piling up. Courts have already blocked some of these moves, like the attempt to end birthright citizenship. It’s a real constitutional minefield.

Duke Johnson

Yeah, and you can feel the polarization ramping up. I mean, I get the national security angle—keep the bad actors out, protect the homeland. But when you start sweeping up legal residents and students, you’re gonna get pushback. College campuses are already hotbeds of protest. And, honestly, it’s clogging up the courts. We’re seeing the same kind of legal gridlock we talked about in our “Aftershocks of the One Big Beautiful Bill” episode. It’s déjà vu all over again.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

And let’s not forget the human cost, Duke. I’ve interviewed students who are terrified of being deported just for speaking out. The use of the Alien Enemies Act in peacetime is unprecedented. It’s chilling free speech, especially on campuses. And these bans on countries like Yemen and Burundi? They’re splitting up families, targeting people who’ve done nothing wrong. It’s not just a legal issue—it’s a humanitarian crisis.

Chukwuka

Olga, I hear you, but I’ll say this—Trump’s playing to his strengths. He promised to secure the borders, and he’s delivering. Whether you agree or not, it’s what his voters want. But let’s zoom out. The international moves—pulling out of the WHO, the Paris Agreement, cutting UN funding—this is classic America First. But Ethan, you mentioned Teddy Roosevelt before. How does this stack up?

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

Yeah, so, Teddy Roosevelt—he was all about projecting power but also about selective engagement. Trump’s approach is more isolationist, like the old days, but with a modern twist. Pulling out of the WHO and Paris Agreement, it’s about sovereignty, not globalism. But the risk is, you lose influence. Allies are worried, and China’s ready to fill the gap. It’s a gamble—short-term political gain, maybe, but long-term, you risk being sidelined on the world stage.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

And the global health implications are huge. Leaving the WHO in the middle of ongoing health crises? That’s not just about politics, it’s about lives. The same goes for climate. The Paris Agreement isn’t perfect, but without U.S. leadership, progress stalls. And with the Russia-Ukraine war still simmering, the U.S. can’t afford to lose diplomatic leverage.

Duke Johnson

And then there’s Project 2025. The Heritage Foundation’s fingerprints are all over these orders—deregulation, immigration, federal workforce reform. Conservatives love it, but the left’s calling it authoritarian. Mass firings, DOJ investigations into universities, it’s all in the playbook. But, you know, if the courts start striking these down, Trump’s gonna have to pivot. Congress isn’t always gonna play ball.

Chukwuka

Yeah, Duke, and that’s the real test. Can these orders survive legal and political pushback? The 2026 midterms are coming, and if the public turns, it could all unravel. Alright, let’s shift gears—because the culture wars are heating up, and the executive orders are right in the thick of it.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

So, let’s talk about education. Trump’s orders banning so-called “radical indoctrination” in schools, reinstating the 1776 Project, and threatening funding for “hostile” campuses—this is a direct attack on academic freedom. I’ve been covering protests at the University of Michigan, and let me tell you, students are scared. Lawsuits at Harvard and Columbia have already forced the administration to backtrack on some funding cuts, but the message is clear: dissent is risky.

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

Yeah, Olga, and it’s not just about history class. The 1776 Project is about shaping the national narrative—what it means to be American. For conservatives, it’s about restoring pride and unity. For critics, it’s whitewashing the past. We saw this same fight over the 1619 Project, and now it’s back, just with more executive muscle behind it.

Duke Johnson

And it’s not just schools. The orders on gender, religion, and sports—banning gender-affirming care, setting up the Religious Liberty Commission, rewriting Title IX—this is the front line of the culture war. I mean, I get the push for traditional values, but you can’t ignore the backlash. Transgender students are protesting, lawsuits are flying, and the courts are gonna have the final say. It’s like the old days with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but now it’s everywhere—schools, sports, you name it.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

Exactly, Duke. I’ve spoken to students who feel targeted just for existing. The bans on gender-affirming care are devastating for trans youth. And the Religious Liberty Commission? It sounds good on paper, but in practice, it’s being used to justify discrimination. We’re seeing a real clash between civil rights and so-called “traditional values.”

Chukwuka

And then there’s Big Tech. The TikTok ban got delayed, but the administration’s still gunning for antitrust action—this time, for political bias. Duke, you mentioned this reminds you of the old broadcast fairness doctrine fights?

Duke Johnson

Yeah, Chukwuka. Back in the ’80s, it was all about fairness on the airwaves. Now it’s about who controls the narrative online. The administration’s saying Big Tech is too “woke,” so they’re threatening antitrust moves. But, honestly, regulating tech for political reasons is a slippery slope. You start there, and pretty soon, you’re policing speech. It’s a mess, and with AI and misinformation, it’s only getting messier.

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

And the lack of clear AI policy? That’s a blind spot. We talked about this in our “Muskonomics” episode—if the U.S. doesn’t get ahead on tech regulation, we’re gonna fall behind. The culture war’s not just in the classroom or the courthouse—it’s online, 24/7.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

And the stakes are high. These executive orders are reshaping what it means to be American—who gets to speak, who gets to learn, who gets to belong. The next few years are going to be turbulent, and the fight over values, rights, and truth is just beginning.

Chukwuka

Alright, that’s all we’ve got for today. The fallout from these executive orders is just starting to play out, and you can bet we’ll be tracking every twist and turn. Thanks for joining us on The New Sentinel. Ethan, Olga, Duke—always a pleasure.

Major Ethan “Sentinel” Graves

Good talk, y’all. Stay sharp out there.

Olga Ivanova - Female, Progressive

Thank you, everyone. Let’s keep fighting for truth and justice. Until next time.

Duke Johnson

Roger that. Stay vigilant, folks. Catch you on the next one.

Chukwuka

Alright, take care, everyone. We’ll see you soon.