President Donald Trump’s first 100 days have been among the most polarizing in recent American history. Defined by concentrated immigration crackdowns, sweeping tariffs, and suppression of opposition from universities and judges, Trump’s America has left global leaders in awe. He’s threatened to annex Canada, seize control of Greenland, and asked to send U.S. troops into Mexico; a move that Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected. Universities and media outlets are at war with the administration, with Trump freezing grants to universities who don’t concede to his policy changes. His attacks continue as the administration seeks to end federal funding to public broadcasting services such as NPR and PBS. With the assistance of Elon Musk, DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) continues to reduce the government workforce and defund essential programs for millions of Americans.

Across the sea, things aren’t looking too great either. Widespread tariffs have resulted in mass boycotts against American products throughout Europe. A trade war with China continues to ravage both nations, with rising costs soon to hit U.S. consumers. Economists, and now most consumers, believe these tariffs will send the United States into a recession at record’s pace. Trump’s tariffs have no preference; no industry is safe. In a shocking announcement on May 4, Trump proposed 100% tariffs on “any and all” films produced in foreign lands, sending shockwaves across the industry.  Leaders from around the world have condemned the president’s decision, saying it will be the end of independent films.

However, what has shocked the nation the most is his mass deportation efforts. CECOT, the notorious El Salvadorian prison, has been the subject of immense scrutiny from world leaders and human rights organizations from around the world. The administration has deported dozens of immigrants to the prison without due process under the Alien Enemies Act of  1798. Despite several court orders forcing him to return several deported migrants, Trump has swayed them away as though mere suggestions. He is even taking it one step further, currently negotiating with Rwanda in taking U.S. deportees. City leaders from across the nation pledged to combat his mass deportation policies and provide sanctuary for immigrants. When asked on whether the administration would possibly arrest sanctuary city leaders who defy Trump’s mass deportation agenda, Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, simply responded “Wait till you see what’s coming.”

The administration’s efforts to combat opposition rages on. In an effort to crackdown on antisemitism across college campuses, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) began detaining several student organizers throughout the country. Columbia student and Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi was released April 30 after ICE agents detained him while waiting for his naturalization interview in Vermont. The Trump administration currently faces legal challenges as student organizer Mahmoud Khalil continues to fight his deportation order. A Columbia graduate and student leader, Khalil organized campus protests against Israel’s assault on Gaza. He was detained March 8 and has remained in custody.

Trump’s approval rating has dropped down to 41%, the lowest 100-day approval rating of any U.S. president. This new, almost spiteful Trump 2.0 is driving a wedge between every sector, institution, and even the government itself. Despite this, he remains headstrong in his agenda. But the question remains: So what now? What can we do? What can we make of our new reality? Is it even possible to go back to a pre-Trump America? And more importantly, where do we go from here?

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of North OC, professors from CSUF and USC gathered on April 29 to address these concerns. Jody Agius Vallejo, Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern California tackled Trump’s immigration policy. Alexei Shevchenko, Professor of Political Science at California State University of Fullerton, addressed foreign policy. Robert Robinson, Coordinator for the CSUF’s Department of Political Science, explained the current dismantling of separation of powers. Jodi Balma, Professor of Political Science at Fullerton College, discussed DOGE and the gutting of our federal institutions. A Q&A follows the panel.

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