The Damage of Two Trump Terms: A Deep Dive into America’s Democratic and Social Erosion – Perplexity

The Damage of Two Trump Terms: A Deep Dive into America’s Democratic and Social Erosion – via Perplexity

From executive missteps to democratic backsliding, a look at how Donald Trump’s time in office has altered America—twice.

Introduction

Donald Trump’s tenure as President—across two non-consecutive terms—has been one of the most polarizing and consequential in modern U.S. history. From controversial executive actions to attacks on democratic institutions, his presidencies have been marked by a blend of disruption, reversals, and, for many, profound harm. This post charts and lists the most significant errors and damages of Trump’s first term and then maps the expanded injuries to America’s democracy and people during his second term.

Part One: First Term (2017–2021) — Errors and Damaging Policies

Key Errors and Harmful Decisions:

• Undermining Democratic Norms:
  • Attempted to pressure Ukraine for political favors, leading to impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
  • Persistent attempts to undermine faith in U.S. elections, especially mail-in voting12.
• Obstruction and Abuse of Power:
  • Fired FBI Director James Comey to allegedly hinder Russia investigation.
  • Frequent use of government for personal enrichment; violated the Hatch Act with partisan activities1.
• Foreign Policy Mistakes and Isolationism:
  • Withdrew from Iran nuclear deal, Paris Climate Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership, and abandoned the Syrian Kurds324.
  • Alienated U.S. allies, fostered instability, promoted “America First” at the expense of global cooperation.
• Human Rights Assaults:
  • Family separation policy at the southern border and mass deportations.
  • Executive orders targeting refugees and immigrants, including the “Muslim ban”567.
• Civil Rights Rollbacks:
  • Rolled back protections for LGBTQ+, racial minorities, and weakened enforcement of civil rights law7.
• Pandemic Response Failures:
  • Gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 response—delayed testing, contradictory messaging, and lack of federal coordination8.
• Environmental and Health Reversals:
  • Rolled back over 100 environmental regulations, withdrew from global environment treaties, and weakened climate change response.
• Economic Setbacks:
  • Initiated chaotic trade wars (notably with China), resulting in volatile markets and increased consumer costs.
  • Largest peacetime deficit increases due to tax cuts for the wealthy and spending surges23.

First-Term Summary Chart Example:

CategoryKey Action/ErrorConsequenceDemocratic NormsUkraine scandal, impeachmentErosion of institutional trust, impeachmentHuman RightsFamily separation, travel bansWidespread condemnation, civil rights violationsEnvironmentWithdrawal from Paris AccordIncreased global isolation, environmental rollbackPandemic ResponseDelayed COVID-19 actionHigher infection/death rate, global embarrassmentEconomyTrade wars, deficit expansionMarket volatility, ballooning deficitJustice/System AbuseHatch Act violations, DOJ misuseBlurred legal/political boundaries

Part Two: Second Term (2025– ) — Expanded Damage to America, Its People, and Democracy – It’s Worse!

Escalating Authoritarianism and Harmful Actions:

• Impunity for Insurrection:
  • Pardoned January 6 attackers, signaling tolerance for political violence910.
• Attacks on Checks and Balances:
  • Sweeping firings of inspectors general, independent agency leaders, and career officials investigating Trump or his allies1011.
  • Purged civil servants, targeting disloyalty over expertise or merit.
• Erosion of Civil Rights and Freedoms:
  • Issued executive orders rescinding DEI programs, LGBTQ+ protections, reproductive rights, and racial equity initiatives7.
  • Abolished or undermined federal data collection on marginalized groups, erasing accountability for discrimination.
• Retaliation and Consolidation of Power:
  • Launched Justice Department investigations against critics, withdrawing security and targeting political opponents1011.
  • Weaponized federal agencies to punish opposing state governments, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
• Undermining the Rule of Law:
  • Claimed presidential immunity to skirt legal accountability; moved to unilaterally direct federal funds and policy without Congressional authorization106.
• Civic and Social Consequences:
  • Steep rise in fear and uncertainty for immigrants, LGBTQ+ Americans, racial minorities, and women due to regressive legal changes and administrative chaos.
  • Abruptly shut down crucial health and safety data programs affecting millions7.
• Suppressing Dissent and Press Freedoms:
  • Cracked down on student protestors, threatened journalists, and manipulated federal communications oversight5.
• Socioeconomic Impacts:
  • Cutbacks in Medicaid and social safety nets, disproportionately hurting the poor and underprivileged11.
  • Economic instability from erratic tariffs, worsening inequality, and reduced trust in governance.

Second-Term Summary List:

• Mass pardons for political violence, erasing accountability and emboldening extremist groups
• Expanding executive power while sidelining Congress and the judiciary
• Direct interference in federal and independent agencies to protect allies and punish critics
• Dismantling civil rights enforcement and erasing data on marginalized Americans
• Retaliatory investigations targeting opposition, chilling dissent and free speech
• Aggressive anti-immigrant drives, mass deportations, and family separations resumed
• Economic and social policy favoring the wealthy; increasing burdens on working-class Americans and children
• Heightened polarization, division, and distrust throughout American society

Takeaway

Donald Trump’s cumulative impact over two terms goes far beyond political disagreements—his policies, executive actions, and disregard for democratic norms have fundamentally altered the landscape of American governance, justice, and public life. The ongoing harm to U.S. democracy, civic freedoms, and vulnerable communities underscores an urgent need for accountability, vigilance, and renewal.

Actions: America has long been defined by its resiliency and its ability to self-correct. But with democracy itself under threat, the challenge now is for citizens and institutions to reckon with the fallout—and chart a path back toward accountability and progress.

Sources:

1. https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/analysis/president-trumps-worst-offenses/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_presidency_of_Donald_Trump
3. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/11/14/trump-foreign-policy-first-term-errors-00189428
4. https://www.cfr.org/timeline/trumps-foreign-policy-moments
5. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/04/president-trumps-first-100-days-attacks-on-human-rights/
6. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/06/us-second-trump-term-threat-rights-us-world
7. https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/
8. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trumps-failed-presidency/
9. https://civilrights.org/blog/chaos-confusion-abuse-of-power-trumps-first-week-back-in-office/
10. https://brightlinewatch.org/accelerated-transgressions-in-the-second-trump-presidency/
11. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/opinion/trump-authoritarianism-republican-party-democracy.html
12. http://cohen.house.gov/TrumpAdminTracker
13. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5271938-trump-michigan-mistakes/
14. https://www.democracy2025.org
15. https://www.epi.org/publication/ten-actions-that-hurt-workers-during-trumps-first-year/
16. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-has-reshaped-these-3-major-things-in-his-first-100-days
17. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/threats-to-us-democracy-dangerous-cracks-in-us-democracy-pillars/
18. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/us/politics/trump-administration-missteps.html
19. https://judicature.duke.edu/articles/the-future-of-the-u-s-presidency/
20. https://newdemocratcoalition.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/100-days-100-disasters-new-dem-leadership-looks-back-on-the-first-chaotic-months-of-the-trump-administration

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