Kenneth T. Walsh

Cutting spending and staffing at national parks angers middle class folks who rely on the parks for recreation. If Trump’s budget cuts are as serious as they appear, full access to the parks this summer will be limited. Trump/Republicans likely to be blamed. Big risk for GOP.

President Trump is running into many obstacles that impede his agenda, such as the courts, various business interests, law firms, elements in the media and academia, Democrats, some Republican senators, leaders in other countries. The outcomes may depend on perseverance and will.

President Trump's message on Memorial Day included attacks on judges, the “radical left,” and other critics of his administration. Trump is not backing away from negative politics. For history and context, see my latest book, “The Architects of Toxic Politics in America.”

Trump threatening more tariffs….Playing “gotcha” with the president of South Africa in the Oval Office…. Accepting the gift of a 747 jet from Qatar as the new Air Force One. What a showman! Keeps his opponents off balance.

More on "flying palace" jet given to Trump govt. as new Air Force One: As I wrote in my book "Air Force One," other presidents changed the presidential plane including FDR, Truman, Ike, JFK, LBJ, Reagan, but Trump goes further by accepting posh jet as gift from foreign country.

U.S. accepts Qatari 747 jet for President Trump as new Air Force One. Lots of problems, including possible constitutional violation for accepting gift without congressional approval, need for costly improvements in security, comms. Trump loves the look--nicknamed flying palace.

President Trump is running into major obstacles as he attempts to implement his foreign policy. He pledged to quickly end the Israel-Hamas war and to quickly arrange an end to the fighting between Ukraine and Russia. Neither happened. Trump cannot simply impose his will.

President Trump seems to feel more empowered and emboldened than ever. Even though he is enduring setbacks in court, among other nations, in public opinion and elsewhere as he pushes his agenda, he remains very aggressive. Will he inevitably over-reach, and trigger a backlash?

Converting 747 jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One would require many more security precautions than Trump seems to realize such as scrubbing for sabotage and spying systems. The plane also needs extra technology for security, comms. For context, see my book, “Air Force One.”

Classic Trump: Making surprise announcements that the media can’t resist covering and that change the subject from negative stories. Examples: reopening Alcatraz …White House aides posting fake photo of Trump as pope…announcing he will build a posh ballroom in the White House.

President Trump is running into walls of opposition to his policies as he attempts to exert enormous executive power and push through the limits to his authority. At the 100-day mark of his second term, many Americans are turning against him for going too far too fast.

Donald Trump loves to get into fights. And he loves to win them. But is he going too far now? Alienating too many friends and potential allies? Insisting on getting his own way rather than finding common ground? These are fundamental questions as he approaches the 100-day mark.

President Trump announces 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs except for China. This contradicts some of his advisers who said he would not budge in imposing tariffs. Trump’s approach to trade wars has become a confusing roller coaster ride, increasing economic uncertainty.

President Trump and allies are increasingly trying to justify his trade wars. They seem to realize that millions of Americans worry that trade wars could jeopardize the entire economy, and the issue could further undermine Trump’s popularity.

Stock market slide. Global trade wars. Rising tariffs. Growing fear of recession and inflation. Economic chaos. Will President Trump adjust his “shock and awe” policies, or stay the course? This is the fundamental question he faces in his presidency right now.

One thing Americans hate is when a crisis spirals out of control and their president shows no ability or no willingness to improve matters or makes them worse. This seems to be where President Trump finds himself with his escalating trade war.

As the stock market sags and a trade war deepens, a new CNN poll finds that only 45% of Americans approve of President Donald Trump‘s job performance and 54% disapprove. On the Number One issue of the economy, only 44% approve and 56% disapprove. Tough times for the White House.