Willl the past guide the future in Trump's last two years?

Nationwide county, state, and federal voting has passed. Many of us were up late watching, listening as the numbers were revealed. Some of my favorites won while others fell behind.

Whatever these mid-term elections may offer, our Democratic Republic has, once again, entered uncharted waters filled with surprises yet to be.

Proof in the pudding comes from eating. Our 120th Congress will be seated Jan. 3, 2027. Thereafter, those 435 House seats and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats will be filled by old and new faces offering a second serving of puddings and exotic deserts.

Since this President has considerable influence over continuing and new legislation, perhaps it’s helpful for us to review the White House agenda. These 2027-29 priorities are found online in greater detail at https://www.whitehouse.gov/priorities/.

LEAD THE WORLD IN SUPER INTELLIGENCE (AI): By empowering the private sector and protecting American innovation from foreign exploitation, this administration will ensure technological leadership remains firmly in U.S. hands.

GROW THE ECONOMY: By prioritizing American workers, manufacturers, and energy producers, this administration will continue to strengthen the nation’s economic foundation and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY: This administration will continue to increase operational efficiency, strengthen border-to-battlefield coordination, and ensure the Armed Forces have the resources needed to deter threats worldwide.

REFORM GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY (DOGE): By modernizing operations, improving oversight, and holding agencies accountable for results, this administration will restore trust in how the government serves the public.

MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN (MAHA): By prioritizing prevention over treatment and empowering families with better information and choices, the administration is addressing the root causes of poor health outcomes.

SECURE THE BORDER: Illegal crossings will continue to decline as resources are redirected to enforcement, removals accelerated, and cooperation with state and local partners expanded.

SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY: By enforcing the law and securing the border, this administration is reducing the flow of drugs, human trafficking, and criminal activity into the United States. These actions strengthen public safety.

UNLEASH AMERICAN ENERGY: Continue to accelerate and expand oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear capacity to deliver lower utility bills, more high-paying energy jobs, and renewed American dominance as the global leader in oil and gas production.

PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: The White House will continue to expand private school choice, protect parental rights, restore biological truth, uplift families, end illegal and divisive DEI policies, stop taxpayer funding for abortion, restore free speech, and stand side-by side with Israel.

Now, with that said, perhaps a few comments about President Trump’s efforts during his recent two years can prepare us for his last two years. The following comments appear from an Oct. 31 report from my (A.I.?) DuckDuckGo assistant: “Who is Donald J. Trump?”

Trump’s presidency has intensified political divisions, undermining national unity and governance. His approach has been marked by a lack of accountability and transparency, with allegations of corruption and misuse of taxpayer funds for personal interests.

Trump’s second term has been marked by policy failures, legal controversies, and public disapproval, with a 36% approval rating from overspending, tariffs, and governance.

Key areas of failure include promises to lower family expenses but have seen rising prices in housing, healthcare, fuel oils, and groceries. Wasteful government spending includes costly military parades and trips to Mar-a-Lago.

Trump’s selection of friends and allies has led to ineffective governance and costly reductions of federal employees. Immigration enforcement has been described as chaotic and unjust, with calls for reining in ICE.

The nation’s economy has suffered from his tariffs that increased costs for everyday Americans. Estimates suggest an average additional family expense of $1,700 due to these policies. Promises to improve healthcare and affordability find costs rising.

These failures reflect a broader trend of dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership, raising concerns about the future direction of his administration and its impact on American society.

(Me.) Many citizens want a return to traditional political norms that emphasize civility and collaboration rather than divisiveness and personal attacks.