Imagine Donald Trump has completed his second year as president following his election in 2024. What might the U.S. and the world be like as Trump’s policies take effect?

• After imposing 30% tariffs on all imported items, inflation reaches 10%, the highest since 1980. Food, clothing, electronics, cars and lumber prices continue to increase.

• Trump announces that 2,500 illegal refugees have been arrested to date, including children. They are housed in concentration camps in California and New York. Planning for new camps nationwide is underway, including the former campus of Unity College. Arrest of another 7,500 immigrants is planned. Trump refuses to make the cost public.

• Trump and Texas Gov. Abbott attended a ceremony to mark the completion of 50 miles of new border wall. This section cost taxpayers approximately $1.1 billion. Total illegal immigration numbers do not show any sign of declining.

• Trump signs into law legislation passed by the Republican Congress to allow states to prohibit the sale of contraceptives.

• Leases for oil exploration drilling off the coast of Maine are now out to bid.

• Two years after Trump impounded Congress-approved military aide for Ukraine, and three months following Russia’s takeover of that country, Russian President Putin orders the amassing of troops on the Polish border.

• The Gaza war continues. Fifty hostages remain captive.

• The Maine Department of Transportation announced that due to a lack of federal funding, it must cancel half of Maine’s highway and bridge projects planned for next construction season.

• Following the layoff last Oct. 1 of 20,000 federal civil service employees, and their replacement with political appointees, government services are in chaos, including at the Togus VA Hospital, TSA and air control at the Portland Jetport, National Weather Service in Gray, and U.S. Post offices.

Is this the chaotic future for America you want?

George Seel

Belgrade