Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
Donald Trump has roared back into the presidency, capping a four-journey from political irrelevance to political dominance. As he plots his return to the White House, here’s how he might make the most of his first 100 days in office.
Europe and Ukraine
Donald Trump will have his work cut out for him in Europe. The Euro-elites are still ailing from Trump Derangement Syndrome. Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, once branded Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathizer.” London has a mayor, Sadiq Khan, who likened Trump to a fascist dictator.
Yet deal with Europe Trump must, however much our sniffy politicians might mock him. Most pressing is Ukraine. Trump promised to bring the war to an end. He will be judged harshly if he fails. A bloody stalemate rules there now and a fresh face is required to break it. Is that Trump?
Trump must understand that Europe’s haughty intellectuals will damn any effort to end the war as yellow-bellied appeasement of Russia. For these folks, nothing short of regime change in Moscow will do. Even engaging with Putin will earn Trump condemnation in the press here. Ignore it.
But be careful not to placate Putin. A balance must be struck between Europe’s desire for Moscow’s humiliation and the instinct for peace. The latter is better, of course, so long as Putin doesn’t get the message that he can do whatever he likes. My advice: Do not give in either to Europe’s thirst for war with Russia or Putin’s imperious delusion that Eastern Europe is his. Careful diplomacy is essential.
Such care will be required in all dealings with Europe. Ours, sadly, is a continent dominated by the “globalist” EU, whereas Trump is more keen on the better ideals of sovereignty and nationhood. Europe is overrun with Israelophobia, while Trump, rightly, backs Israel. Trump must be firm with Europe’s post-borders, post-reason elites — without giving them the Trumpian clash they long for in order to justify their careers. Engage, but don’t play their games.
Brendan O’Neill is the chief political writer for spiked magazine in London
The Courts
In the obscure 1958 case Cooper v. Aaron, the US Supreme Court first declared itself to be the final, binding arbiter of constitutional disputes. Ever since, the courts have found themselves at the epicenter of our cultural battles. There are therefore few more impactful things a president can do than nominate new federal judges and justices.
During his first term, President Donald Trump nominated jurists who are faithful to the Constitution and the rule of law. That work now commences anew. Trump will likely nominate at least one or two new Supreme Court picks — possibly sooner rather than later. There are many enticing options. But my former boss, Trump-nominated Judge James C. Ho of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, has demonstrated remarkable courage and boldness and is the best of the bunch.
President Trump should also direct his D0J to drop certain activist cases that Merrick Garland has initiated. This Supreme Court term’s marquee case is United States v. Skrmetti, involving Tennessee’s ban on so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors. This lawsuit is a political intrusion upon Tennessee’s sovereign prerogative to protect vulnerable children from gender ideology, and Trump’s DOJ must drop it.
By contrast, Trump can take the baton from Biden on the antitrust case against Google’s online search monopoly—a case then-Attorney General Bill Barr first launched in 2020, and which a Washington, DC-based federal judge just vindicated in a landmark August ruling.
Finally, there’s lawfare. Trump must resist the temptation to offer a “peace pipe” to those who have prosecuted him and tried to incarcerate him. The correct path to ending lawfare is to fight. One place to start: Trump should direct his DOJ to initiate a new special counsel probe to investigate Hunter Biden’s shady foreign business dealings.
Josh Hammer is senior counsel for the Article III Project and host of “The Josh Hammer Show” and “America on Trial with Josh Hammer.” X: @josh_hammer.
Israel and The Middle East
Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mark a major shift in America’s Middle East policies. His established regional record brings a sigh of relief to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who welcomed Trump’s “historic return” as a “powerful recommitment” to U.S.-Israel ties.
President Biden’s administration often left Jerusalem’s hands tied. Policies like opposing Israel’s military operation in Rafah and threatening to withhold arms sent mixed signals to a nation battling terror organizations.
Trump’s first term took a distinctly different course. He recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, relocated the US Embassy there, acknowledged Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords. Now there is renewed potential to expand these Accords to include Saudi Arabia and create a powerful counterweight to Iran.
Trump has made clear he’s ready to confront Iranian aggression head-on — a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s reluctance to escalate the conflict, which emboldened Iran and its proxies. Trump has urged decisive action by Israel, which will now have greater freedom in prosecuting its war against Iran and its terror proxies.
Trump’s return also hints at a tougher US stance in securing Israel’s hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Given his campaign focus on this issue, he may be prepared to increase pressure on Qatar and Turkey to leverage their influence over Hamas, potentially breaking the current impasse.
Notably, don’t expect Trump to push for a two-state solution; he’s well aware that such an approach is unrealistic for the foreseeable future, given the lack of cohesive Palestinian leadership committed to peace.
Domestically, Trump has pledged to tackle antisemitism on college campuses by holding institutions accountable for the safety of Jewish students. Through executive orders and a renewed push for the Antisemitism Awareness Act, the new president may finally ensure universities take the threat of Jew-hatred more seriously
Aviva Klompas is the former director of speechwriting at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations and co-founder of Boundless Israel.
Law and Order
As he reenters the White House, President-elect Trump must prioritize policies that prevent crime while strengthening our communities. The task is formidable, but not unattainable. Here’s how he might succeed.
First, Trump must secure our borders and enforce immigration policies to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs that fuel criminal activity. Well-managed border security policies not only protect our nation, they reduce the strain on law enforcement and social services agencies.
Trump must also ensure that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have the resources needed to adequately staff and supply their forces. The number of officers in my hometown Chicago, for instance, is at a near-record low and ultra-progressive Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced plans to cut nearly 500 more this year. Trump must help reverse this tide, boosting officer numbers while equipping precincts with tools that improve response time and increase transparency.
Communities hit hardest by crime are often underserved in other critical areas like education, mental health, and after-school programs. Investing in community-based initiatives like mentorship, job training and mental health services can provide alternatives to at-risk populations, especially youth. One such program, Illinois-based R.I.S.E, offers education and employment training to pre and post-detainees in prisons in Illinois. An administration that prioritizes community programs – after the election; not just for votes during — understands that effective crime prevention begins with opportunity.
Finally, with economic instability a major driver of crime, the president should promote job growth, support affordable housing initiatives, and ensure that all U.S. citizens have access to quality education. The first Trump presidency saw dramatic crime drops: Murder fell by 6.8% in 2018 and violent crime by nearly 4% nationwide, according to the FBI. With targeted and comprehensive policies, Trump can, from the top, ensure such successes are repeated.
Gianno Caldwell is a political analyst for Fox News Channel and founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety.