Trump looking into government waste is good. But it's time for Musk to go.
Trump looking into government waste is good. But it's time for Musk to go. | Your Turn President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress Tuesday evening and talk about what he's done so far. But we wanted to hear from you: What should he do next?
A month into President Donald Trump's second term we asked: How are you feeling about it?
The responses just keep coming. Our Opinion Forum has heard from thousands of people across the country as Trump's term gets underway. We published a collection of those responses last week. Some readers said they feel safer thanks to Trump's immigration policies and are excited about tax cuts. Others feel fearful of what the future holds and say the administration is focused on creating chaos, not helping Americans.
Trump is sure to talk about some of these policies – and more – when he addresses a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening. But we wanted to hear from you: How are his policies impacting your area? And what should Trump focus on next? Here's what you said.
Good to cut wasteful spending. But Elon Musk?
I am not feeling very confident in the future of our nation. I feel like President Donald Trump won reelection on issues that he cannot control, such as the price of groceries. He pledged to lower prices almost immediately, only to later say he pretty much cannot do that. It's like a bait and switch.
His policies are affecting my state, big time. I live in Kentucky, and the threat of tariffs is looming large. We are an agricultural and bourbon-producing state. Between the threatened tariffs and mass deportations, I think the next few years will be tough, to say the least.
Tell us: Is President Trump doing enough to fix the economy? You tell us. | Opinion Forum
I do think the government is broken. I think it's corrupt and works to keep some people rich while others stay down. Looking into wasteful spending is a good idea. But done by Elon Musk? I don't agree with that. I would like Trump to focus on cutting actual waste, not just things that can help fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Trickle-down economics does not work.
I don't feel very hopeful. I think both parties are broken and need to be replaced. I have four children and fear for their future constantly. No one is even discussing the coming automation of many of the jobs Americans do everyday. What will happen then? Do we really think the wealthy will care for us when they no longer need us for labor?
— Matt Owen, Owensboro, Kentucky
There's bite to Trump's bark
Trump is fulfilling his promises, and that makes me very excited about the future. Every president prior to Trump promised a crackdown on illegal immigration, yet there was never any bite to the bark! Every president before Trump promised to do what Trump is actually doing. For that reason, I'm beyond excited. I'm glad he is getting so much accomplished. Let's all hope the Democrats don't tie his hands like last time.
In terms of seeing effects of the president's policies, because I live in North Pole, Alaska, there really isn't much happening at the moment. I am, however, looking forward to Trump's "drill baby drill."
Your Turn: Trump is making good on his promises. I feel safer because of it. | Opinion Forum
Your Turn: Trump shows how many Americans are racist. Even when they don't think they are. | Opinion Forum
Next, I want Trump to focus on welfare and food stamps. That system has outlived its good for the people. It needs to revamped. Make it fair, limit how many children the government will pay for. Families can have as many children as they want but the government should not pay for more than two children. Drug test the recipients.
Along with welfare, child protective services should also be reformed. That is another very broken system.
— Gina Cook, North Pole, Alaska
Legal immigrants fear Trump 'Gestapo'
Trump's start is far worse than expected! He has never wanted to be the president of the United States; he wants to be king. He is like a bull in a china shop, issuing executive orders to eliminate constitutional birthright citizenship when he has no legal authority to do so. That belongs to Congress, not him.
My wife and I volunteer at the Mead Food Bank every week. We are seeing less food donated since Trump took office. We interact with legal immigrants who are terrified that their home will be raided by the Trump "Gestapo" and that they will be deported. It's a terrible, terrible way for any human being to live.
As for what Trump should do next, Musk was not elected by U.S. voters. He has not been vetted by the Senate, FBI or anyone else. Don't give him access to government and individuals' private information. Stop this nonsense and get rid of Musk.
The next four years look bleak!
— Larry Jaquish, Chattaroy, Washington
Trump is moving fast. We need to be supportive and patient.
President Trump is making things happen, and it's very exciting to see the new direction the country is headed in. Everyone needs to let him move forward with his agenda as it will help all of us in the long run. He's moving fast, but we need to be supportive and patient.
In terms of what Trump should do next, I want him to follow up on the many executive orders he has announced and have the Department of Government Efficiency look into waste and fraud with Social Security and Medicare.
I just want Trump to continue to be bold and transparent and continue to lead this great nation. As for other Republicans in office, I want them to please support his agenda. Get his Cabinet nominees confirmed.
— Steve Reese, Wylie, Texas
Trump is trashing the Constitution. He should focus on inflation instead.
Trump is incompetent and trashing our Constitution. Tariffs will raise prices of everything. Attacking the federal government will harm our nation.
He should focus on inflation and lowering food prices as promised and stop deflecting with issues that are implemented for perceived slights. Get Musk out. He was not elected, nor was he vetted by Congress.
I feel the Project 2025 white nationalists using Trump will destroy our democratic republic.
— Sherrie Cook, Pensacola, Florida
Trump should abolish the IRS
I feel Trump had a uphill battle against the deep state before the election. Now he has the power but he still has to fight them.
In terms of Trump's policies, nothing has changed in my region. My roommate is on Supplemental Security Income. Nothing changed for him.
Next, I want the IRS abolished. I want property taxes abolished. Car taxes abolished. We're taxed to death. No taxes for anyone making less then $50,000 a year. If they tax anyone it should be the higher earning people. Or preferably a value-added tax here. Then it's my decision to buy something or not.
These families getting huge refunds need to be stopped. If you're idle and have children then you don't need our tax money. Figure it out. Or don't stay pregnant. Stop entitlements for these people. I go to a food bank and we get stuff. Plus I work and am disabled. I still buy my own groceries. I work too much to get help.
I'm feeling hopeful that I can afford to live awhile longer. I feel sorry for these young people.
— Karin Schmidt, Bluefield, Virginia
Trump's tariff Russian roulette could decimate auto industry
I did not foresee the executive office blitzkrieg and the abuses of the federal workforce.
Tariff Russian roulette could decimate Michigan's auto industry, and Trump's Gaza proposals are abhorrent to so many Arab Americans who voted for him.
The president needs to work with others, not bully others.
— Kenneth Tash, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Most government cuts won't affect people outside Washington
I'm excited. It's about time someone addressed the runaway spending. The government has been running on continuing resolutions' largesse for decades.
I have seen no impact to my life or the region of the country where I live, the Gulf Coast, from Trump's policies. His actions appear to be mostly impacting Washington, D.C. The immigration raids appear to be exaggerated by the news media.
I think Trump should next reduce nonmandatory spending until it causes grief for the American people. Austerity measures are needed to get the debt under control. I think the use of nongovernmental organizations is a point of graft by members of Congress. I expect 90% of the cuts will go unnoticed by people outside of Washington.
The military needs to return to one purpose: defeating enemies. The Transportation Security Administration needs to be closed and security turned over to airports. Federal spending needs to be slashed, and a majority of the cost of programs needs to be returned to states. Examples are education and non-interstate highways.
Finally, our entire health care system needs an overhaul. Now, it's being controlled by insurance companies that drive up cost and lower outcomes.
— Dennis Hoshman, Geismar, Louisiana
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