Nearly seven months into his second term, President Donald Trump is riding high on far-reaching policy wins and unchallenged personal power plays, barging into every corner of American life to impose his will and worldview.
But his presidency may be about to enter a new phase, as the policy and political consequences of his relentless pace begin to unfold and the lives of Americans and millions overseas feel the impact of his relentless ambition.
He’s done everything, quickly, and all at once.
He’s obsessed with slaying his biggest dragons — like global free trade — and more homespun goals that most presidents might not bother with — like reinstating a Presidential Fitness Test in schools or putting his architectural stamp on the White House.
His trade push is classic Trump. He imposed the most punitive tariffs on imports since the Great Depression — based on a lifelong personal obsession with an economic theory mocked by experts. He says he’s reviving manufacturing — but the sector lost a combined net 14,000 jobs in May and June, according to federal data.
