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The Trump administration's return to power has triggered a profound crisis for the United States, not simply in terms of economic policy but, more importantly, in the domains of humanitarian values and constitutional integrity. While economic issues like tariffs and trade wars have garnered attention, the true scale of the administration's impact is most acutely felt in its assault on human rights, the rule of law, and the foundational principles of American democracy. On this page, I explore a few of the ways in which the Trump administration represents a disaster for the United States, focusing on its humanitarian failures, its disregard for constitutional norms, and the lasting damage these pose to the nation's democratic fabric.
One of the most devastating legacies of the Trump administration has been its systematic dismantling of America's humanitarian commitments. From its very first day, the administration paused all foreign aid and began dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the world's leading humanitarian and development agency. The result has been widespread disruption in essential services across the globe: hospitals have shuttered because of lack of funds, food aid has languished in warehouses due to logistical disarray, and crucial educational programs have been terminated, leaving countless children without access to schooling.
Organizations like HIAS, known for their critical work with refugees and displaced populations, were forced to suspend life-saving initiatives, affecting more than 450,000 people, including vulnerable children, survivors of violence, and those fleeing persecution. These actions not only endangered lives but also eroded the fragile trust that communities and governments around the world had placed in U.S. support.
The administration's recent budget proposals only deepened this crisis, seeking to codify these cuts by slashing international spending by nearly half. Proposals aimed to claw back billions in already-approved humanitarian funding represent an 87% drop in foreign aid. This drastic reduction would imperil hundreds of thousands of lives, all in service of ideological austerity and nationalist priorities, despite foreign aid making up less than 1% of the federal budget.1 The refusal to maintain America's proud, bipartisan tradition as the world's largest provider of humanitarian assistance is not just shortsighted—it is tragic. It undermines both global stability and America's moral authority, potentially fostering environments where extremism and conflict can flourish unchecked.
Perhaps nowhere is the administration's disregard for humanitarian values more evident than in its treatment of immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. From the outset, President Trump pursued a harsh, punitive approach to immigration that upended the lives of millions. The re-implementation of sweeping deportation measures began almost immediately, targeting individuals with deep community ties and no criminal records. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), once a model for the world, was suspended entirely, leaving thousands of refugees in limbo and dramatically reducing the number of individuals granted asylum.
These actions sowed confusion and fear among immigrant communities. The administration's changes to asylum eligibility and refusal to process applications created a humanitarian bottleneck, stranding families at the border and in other countries, with little clarity on their legal standing or future. 2 Many have been forced into precarious living situations, exposed to violence, exploitation, and homelessness.
The infamous family separation policy, first implemented in 2018 but revived and expanded, stands as a stark symbol of the administration's inhumanity. Under a "zero tolerance" approach, all undocumented immigrants were prosecuted, resulting in the forcible separation of children from their parents at the U.S.–Mexico border. These children were sent to facilities scattered across the country—some even placed in foster care—while their parents remained in federal custody, often without adequate legal counsel.
The policy drew bipartisan condemnation for its cruelty and for ignoring established norms regarding the treatment of minors. Even after President Trump rescinded the policy under immense public and legal pressure, the damage was done: the administration admitted that it could not locate many of the separated children, raising the horrifying prospect that some might never be reunited with their families. The trauma inflicted on these children—many of whom were too young to speak or understand what was happening—is incalculable. Experts warn that such trauma can result in lifelong psychological and emotional damage. 3 The administration's failure to implement basic tracking and reunification protocols remains a stain on the nation's conscience.
The Trump administration's abuse of emergency powers has fundamentally undermined the constitutional balance between the executive and legislative branches. In his first 100 days back in office, President Trump invoked emergency powers more frequently than any modern president, often for questionable or outright manufactured reasons. From declaring a "national energy emergency" in the absence of any fuel shortage 4 to labeling trade deficits as threats to national security, these actions were less about addressing genuine crises and more about circumventing Congress to unilaterally impose a controversial domestic agenda.
Legal scholars and former government officials have warned that this overuse of emergency powers is a classic sign of authoritarian drift. It erodes the checks and balances that are essential to a healthy democracy. By testing legal limits and daring the judiciary to intervene, Trump has set a dangerous precedent that could empower future presidents to expand executive authority beyond its intended limits. The widespread acceptance of excessive executive power undermines democratic principles and leads the nation down a perilous path.
The administration's flood of executive orders far exceeded historical norms, 5 with many orders attempting to redefine fundamental constitutional rights. These include efforts to abolish birthright citizenship, roll back civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, rescind environmental safeguards, and reclassify civil service jobs as political appointments—effectively turning nonpartisan roles into loyalty-based appointments. Federal workers who questioned or resisted these changes were often dismissed or pressured to resign, limiting dissent within the government.
This behavior constitutes a direct attack on the separation of powers. By attempting to reshape the Constitution without the input or consent of Congress or the American people, 6 the Trump administration echoes the autocratic methods used in other nations where democratic institutions have been eroded. If left unchallenged, such practices threaten to permanently alter the nature of American governance.
The Trump administration has not stopped at immigration and inflated executive authority: it has also launched sustained attacks on core civil liberties, including freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and equal protection under the law. 7 The Departments of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been used to monitor, intimidate, and, in some cases, deport noncitizens who participated in protests or political activism. This marks a dangerous escalation in the government's willingness to suppress dissent.
Simultaneously, the administration has taken steps to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, arguing that such programs are divisive or un-American. Funding has been withdrawn from institutions promoting racial and gender equity, and new restrictions have been placed on how federal contractors and educational institutions can discuss topics such as systemic racism or LGBTQ+ rights. These actions not only roll back decades of progress but also reinforce discriminatory power structures.
Efforts to limit education on America's racial history, including bans on critical race theory, are further attempts to rewrite the national narrative in favor of a sanitized version of history. 8 Such censorship not only violates the spirit of the First Amendment but also undermines public understanding of the country's challenges and the ongoing work needed to achieve justice and equality.
This retreat from international engagement not only weakens global stability but also emboldens authoritarian regimes around the world. Under Trump, the United States withdrew from or defunded critical international institutions and agreements, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, and the Paris Climate Accords. These moves signaled to the world that human rights, global cooperation, and scientific consensus are expendable in favor of nationalist goals.
When the United States abdicates its role as a global leader in the defense of human rights and democratic norms, it leaves a vacuum that can be filled by less scrupulous actors. Countries with authoritarian leanings have already seized upon America's retreat to justify their own crackdowns on civil liberties and political opposition. 9 This erosion of moral leadership diminishes America's influence on the world stage and puts vulnerable populations at even greater risk.
While the focus of these comments is on humanitarian and constitutional issues, it is worth briefly mentioning the economic policies of the Trump administration. Chief among these is the reliance on tariffs and trade wars as tools of economic policy. These measures disrupted global supply chains, sparked retaliatory actions from trade partners, and inflicted economic pain on American farmers, manufacturers, and consumers. The uncertainty introduced by erratic trade policies made long-term planning difficult for businesses and strained relations with key allies.
Yet, these economic setbacks, serious though they are, pale in comparison to the administration's broader assault on the nation's moral and constitutional foundations. The economy can recover from misguided policies with time and reform; the damage done to democratic norms and human dignity is harder to mend.
The Trump administration's legacy is one of humanitarian tragedy and constitutional crises. By dismantling America's humanitarian commitments, pursuing cruel and dehumanizing immigration policies, abusing emergency powers, undermining civil liberties, and retreating from global leadership, the administration has inflicted lasting damage on the nation. What is at stake is not just a political agenda but the very soul of American democracy.
The United States has long prided itself on being a beacon of hope, a defender of the vulnerable, and a standard-bearer of democratic values. That legacy is now under threat. The challenge before all Americans—regardless of political affiliation—is to stand firm in defense of the principles of justice, equality, and democratic accountability. Only by confronting and reversing the disastrous policies of the Trump administration can the United States begin to heal and reclaim its rightful place as a leader in the world and a champion of the values that make it truly great.
Cannes, France
June 2025
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