I’m No Anti-Trumper: Here’s What Trump Gets Right--and Wrong
Because of some feedback I have received from those who read this blog, let me be perfectly clear: I’m not an anti-Trumper—my lens is policy, not personality. I judge each policy on its own terms, and when I criticize Trump, it’s not about disliking him but about where I see his policies falling short. Early in his first term, Trump delivered real wins: tightening border security with policies like the “Remain in Mexico” program, slashing regulations to ease burdens on businesses, and passing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to boost economic growth. These moves laid a strong foundation for prosperity. But I’ve been vocal about the meddling and bullying in that first term—think tariffs or erratic trade policies—that had negative effects which reduced the momentum of those early successes. My critiques are about policy and results, not grudges, and I don’t sling insults like some. I stick to the substance of what works and what doesn’t, what is good policy and bad policy.
In his second term, Trump has reinforced his core priorities with tangible policy actions. On border security, he declared a national emergency at the southern border on January 20, 2025, deploying thousands of active duty, reserve and National Guard troops. These measures ultimately led to a virtual cessation of border crossings after they had skyrocketed under Biden.
Trump has also driven a robust deregulatory agenda, particularly through strategic appointments at the EPA, SEC, and Department of Energy, delivering substantial economic relief by slashing burdensome regulations. At the EPA, Administrator Lee Zeldin has spearheaded what the agency calls the “biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history,” proposing to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which underpinned over $1 trillion in costly regulations, including the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate, saving an estimated $54 billion annually while preserving consumer choice. At the SEC, Trump’s push to roll back climate disclosure rules, like the March 2024 greenhouse gas emissions mandate, has been bolstered by appointees challenging regulations that stifled businesses, with Liberty Energy’s successful pause of the SEC’s climate rule setting a precedent. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, alongside Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, has advanced Trump’s energy dominance agenda, streamlining permitting and overturning restrictive Biden-era rules, such as the DOE’s energy efficiency standards for appliances, saving businesses billions and boosting energy production. Additionally, at the Department of Agriculture, Secretary Brooke Rollins has collaborated with Wright and Zeldin to fast-track energy development and reform permitting, further easing regulatory burdens for rural and energy sectors. These targeted appointments, combined with Trump’s executive orders, have unleashed American industry by prioritizing common-sense policies over bureaucratic overreach.
Though his appointments at these agencies have been effective, it does not dismiss the fact that some of Trump’s other personnel choices have been serious missteps made to award loyalty. I’m thinking specifically of Kennedy at HHS and Lori Chavez-DeRemer at Labor.
On taxes, Trump has laudably and necessarily extended the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for promoting financial freedom, reducing individual income tax rates, and providing for immediate expensing of business investment. (Unfortunately, this is offset by his serious error in adding 800 pages of unwarranted spending and bad campaign promise-policies, as I have previously noted on these pages.)
That said, I’ve written enough critical pieces about Trump’s recent actions that some of my readers have asked me, “Does that mean you regret not voting for Harris?” That question is so far off the mark it’s almost laughable. Her policies—heavy regulations, tax hikes, and DEI/ESG mandates—would have crippled the economy for a generation. The notion is so off-base it’s forced me to revisit Trump’s wins and give credit where it’s due. I’m not cheering for a team; I’m rooting for what works. When Trump’s policies deliver, like on borders, deregulation, and taxes, I’ll say so. When they don’t, I’ll call it out—not because I’m “anti” anyone, but because I’m pro-free markets, what’s good for the economy, and overall results.