Donald Trump has wasted no time since taking office, kicking off his presidency with a whirlwind of decisive moves that have many cheering for Team America. In just two weeks, he has made it clear that he intends to put America first, a mantra that has quickly transformed into a series of actions that are making waves both domestically and internationally. One such wave came in the form of six U.S. citizens returning home from captivity in Venezuela, thanks to the efforts of Ric Grenell, the special envoy. It turns out that these Americans had been held as hostages, a fact that seemed to slip under the radar during the previous administration. However, Trump and his team have made sure to shine a light on these successes, showing that America is ready to stand up for its citizens.
Over the weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio popped in and out of Panama, where he secured a deal that would put the U.S. back in the driver’s seat regarding the Panama Canal. The canal was a significant achievement built by over 5,600 American workers a century ago, and the recent partnership with Panama signals a return to form—without the interference of China. As the prevailing sentiment of “America First” echoes around the globe, nations are lining up to work alongside the United States rather than with foreign entities. Who would have thought this would happen all in two weeks, right?
On the home front, homeland security is getting a facelift as well. Secretary Kristi Noem made her presence known at the southern border, joined soon after by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and border czar Tom Homan. Since Trump has taken over, the numbers show a whopping 93% drop in border crossings. In fact, over 7,000 criminal illegal aliens have been apprehended—a stark contrast to what was witnessed during the last administration. A visual harmony is now taking shape along the borders, where tracks of illegal crossings were once commonplace. With stark visuals of the southern border under Trump, it appears the narrative has shifted dramatically; illegal entries are now met with a fortified defense.
While these national developments progress, a curious scene unfolded in Oxnard, California. Here, students waving Mexican flags while igniting American flags decided to stage a protest. It might be hard to grasp their messaging, as it appears somewhat muddled and certainly counterproductive. If they truly believe in the values of the country they are waving around, one might wonder why the American flag was set ablaze. It seemed that confusion was rampant among the crowd, displayed through their flags of choice and bewildering slogans. Some may politely suggest that if their affection for Mexico is so fervent, a trip southward could be in order.
That same weekend, J.D. Vance made a heartfelt visit to East Palestine, Ohio, marking the second anniversary of a significant train derailment. This gesture speaks volumes about the kind of leadership these communities can expect under Trump—commitment and care that appears to have been absent previously. The message was loud and clear: no community will be left behind. This contrasts sharply with the lack of promptness shown by the last administration, which seemingly forgot the people of East Palestine until the political calendar mandated a visit. The new administration falls firmly on the side of proactive, hands-on governance, aiming to earn the trust of the American people.
While Republican enthusiasm is palpable and the success of Team America makes headlines, a glance at the opposing party’s latest convention reveals a rather confusing state of affairs. Democrats seem to be struggling with their identity, caught up in a maze of social issues while neglecting the everyday economic concerns of the average American. It appears the Democratic Party is focused on minor themes, like gender balance in their leadership, rather than addressing the more pressing economic questions that Americans are asking. All in all, they can spin stories about avocado prices or put the focus on agenda-driven dialogues, but the bread-and-butter issues continue to be overshadowed.
In conclusion, while Trump makes substantial strides in foreign relations and border security, the Democrats appear to be tangling themselves in their own verbiage. With the red, white, and blue banners flying high and a sense of renewed optimism sweeping through America, it looks like the next four years may be all about focusing on what really matters: the American people and what they value most. As for the other side, it’ll be interesting to see how they pivot from their current strategy—a jigsaw puzzle that may need more than a few missing pieces to come together.
