The Golden Age of America?

Well, what to make of that!? As Trump returns to the White House, let's attempt a brief dissection of what we heard yesterday, and grade The President’s executive orders from a Libertarian perspective:

Free Speech, A*

Immediately following the obligatory heralding of a “Golden Age,” playing up to all the pomp and ceremony of the occasion with promises of putting “America First” and making her “the envy of every nation,” Trump’s first pledge of substance was a promise to end the weaponisation of the justice department. The President fervently championed the constitutional right to free speech and decried the overreach of the previous administration, promising to stop all government censorship. Great to see this at the outset of his policy announcement, full marks here.

Immigration, B

Trump began this one with a nice quip along the lines of the Democrats happily funding foreign borders but being unwilling to defend America’s own. Trump promised to declare a national emergency at the southern border, end catch and release and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organisations. Much to agree with here, though perhaps it would have been nice to have had some of the customary nods to the US as a nation of immigrants, legal migrants remaining welcome and the like. Talk of “invasion” and the deployment of military forces should always be treated with caution by Libertarians. The mass deportation of “millions and millions” is an interesting promise and uncosted. Still, a much more realistic appraisal of the situation at the US’ southern border and a clear statement of intent to actually do something about it, decent marks here.

Economy and Trade, C

Trump’s plan to defeat record inflation got off to a promising start with pledges to revoke the green new deal, save the automotive industry by removing electric vehicle mandates and “drill baby drill.” Unfortunately though, the T-word reared its ugly head again: “We will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.” Not only is this something of a two fingers towards this side of the Atlantic, but betrays a poor understanding of economics. In a country where consumerism is not necessarily a vice, it will be interesting to see how long American consumers tolerate the resulting increase in costs and depreciation in choice. The proposed “Department of government efficiency” should be a contradiction in terms, time will tell if this actually comes to anything.

Foreign Policy- D

Trump declared his “proudest legacy will be as a peacemaker.” The President spoke about having a strong military (courtesy no doubt of the American taxpayer) but also of ending wars, and just as, or even more importantly, not getting involved in them in the first place. He also promised to re-instate American service personnel unjustly sacked for refusing the Covid vaccine. So far so good!

Things then got a little too Trumpian rather quickly- it is easy to see why Donald has in the past expressed an admiration for Putin when he too believes in “the manifest destiny” of his country (was this a sly nod in Vlad’s direction?) and “carrying the flag to new horizons.” Re-re-naming Mount McKinley in honour of the former president was not just a nod to Mr Tariffs, but also an expansionist president who added multiple territories to the US by force. Having just boasted of his peace-loving credentials, Trump’s comments about the Panama Canal amounted to little less than a declaration of war against the Central American State.

While happy to trumpet America’s role as the supposed leader of the free world, Trump had nothing to say about the march of authoritarianism in Eastern Europe (or, for that matter, in Brussels or Westminster) and neglected to use the word “ally,” a single time, as the Danish ambassador sat quietly in the diplomatic section. A nasty whiff of nationalism and indifference about this whole section of his speech.

Diversity and Inclusion- A*

Trump in favour of a “colour-blind and merit-based society,” criticised the previous administration for bringing race and gender into every aspect of social life. Nothing more to say here, full marks.

Communication and delivery- A*

While arguably not the most important metric, the delivery was excellent. Impassioned and optimistic, Trump more than made the case for a strong and free United States. Say what you want about what he says, he certainly believes in what he says, and is a welcome breath of fresh air following a president who didn’t know what he was saying half the time. While the self-assuredness and religiousness of it all (apparently Trump was saved by God to make America great again) may be a bit much for some of us this side of the pond, there’s no denying Trump’s skills as an orator were on full display in Washington yesterday.

Overall then, a decent speech. Trump has already made history in becoming only the second president since Grover Cleveland to serve a non-consecutive second term, and the first with a criminal conviction to take on the presidency.

One suspects plenty more history is to be made in this second term. Will this be a golden age for America? Let’s wait and see. What we can be sure of - it won't be boring!