The Week of Reckoning in America… Trump’s Loyalty Philosophy under Scrutiny

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U.S. President Donald Trump is taking decisive measures that his supporters see as a “correction of a historical mistake,” while his opponents view them as a “violation of institutional independence.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump‘s moves range from surprise security measures to broad institutional campaigns, reflecting his philosophy of linking political loyalty to rewards or sanctions.

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Security Protection Revoked: A Political Family Feud

During a visit to the Kennedy Center last week, a journalist asked Trump if he was aware that Hunter Biden had been accompanied by 18 Secret Service agents on a recent trip to South Africa.

Trump responded, “I’ll look into it tonight. This is the first time I’m hearing about it.”

Just hours later, Trump ordered the Secret Service protection for Hunter and his sister Ashley Biden to be revoked, sparking widespread controversy over the abrupt decision.

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Reshaping Institutions: From Culture to Commerce

Trump’s actions extended beyond security and into cultural and federal institutions, such as the Kennedy Center, where he dismissed the previous board of directors, claiming that its programs “do not reflect public taste,” replacing them with a team loyal to him.

Similarly, Trump removed two Democratic members from the Federal Trade Commission, arguing that their agendas were incompatible with his administration’s priorities.

This move is part of a broader strategy to restructure traditionally independent agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission, which has seen its leadership replaced with conservative officials in recent weeks.

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A War on Diversity: From Universities to Law Firms

Trump’s administration has taken strict measures against what it calls “liberal dominance” in academic and professional circles.

In addition to cutting $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its inclusion of a transgender swimmer in women’s competitions, the administration issued warnings to 20 major law firms, urging them to revise their diversity and inclusion policies.

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Sanctions and Rewards: A Balancing Act between Law and Business

Trump‘s “carrot-and-stick” approach has also extended to the private sector. While he lifted restrictions on Paul, Weiss law firm after its president pledged $40 million in free legal services to support administration policies, his team targeted companies like Meta and ABC with financial settlements of $25 million and $16 million, respectively.

Legal experts argue that, despite their weak legal basis, these settlements aim to send a chilling message to the private sector: cooperate with the administration or face severe financial consequences.

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Controversial Promotions: Rewarding Loyalty Over Expertise

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has promoted IRS employees who exposed investigations into Hunter Biden.

Gary Shapley was appointed Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations, while Joseph Ziegler was named Senior Tax Reform Advisor.

Decisions are being implemented at a faster pace than in Trump’s first term, thanks to a more unified team of loyalists rather than a mix of traditional conservatives and populists.

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Trump’s team spent four years out of power meticulously planning the immediate execution of his policies upon his return, learning from past administration experiences.

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stated that “the president is determined to break bureaucratic gridlock,” while Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin called the actions “a blatant abuse of executive power to settle personal scores.”

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A Climate of Fear: Silencing Critics and Weakening Institutions

In a move prioritizing loyalty over expertise, according to The Wall Street Journal, Trump promoted IRS employees who had disclosed details of investigations into Hunter Biden.

Gary Shapley was appointed Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations, while Joseph Ziegler was named Senior Adviser for Tax Reform.

These actions are unfolding at a faster pace compared to Trump’s first term. Analysts attribute this to a more cohesive management team composed of loyalists, unlike the previous mix of traditional conservatives and populist allies.

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Over the four years outside office, Trump’s team meticulously prepared plans to implement his policies immediately upon return, drawing from lessons of his previous administration.

Presidential spokesperson Harrison Fields stated, “The president is determined to break bureaucratic deadlock,” while Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin described the actions as “a blatant use of executive power for personal vendettas.”

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The Chilling Effect: Silencing Dissent and Weakening Institutions

Trump’s policies have created an atmosphere of apprehension among political and economic elites. Many moderate Republicans who previously criticized him have grown more cautious about voicing opposition publicly, fearing repercussions for their businesses or careers, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, major universities like Harvard and Yale have begun proactively reassessing their diversity policies, and top law firms are conducting internal reviews of their hiring practices.

Even conservative media outlets, such as Fox News, have softened their criticism of certain administration decisions—an indication of what some call “covert intimidation.”

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