Trump’s Tactics and the Dangerous Game We’re Playing

This week felt like a high-stakes championship game where the rules are made up as we go along. Republican politicians are throwing wild passes, dodging tackles, and hoping no one notices the shady moves happening behind the scenes. The press focuses on the flashy plays, but the real strategy is being orchestrated in the backfield—decisions that will shape our future, whether we’re paying attention or not. It’s a game where democracy is at risk, the players are skilled at distraction, and the audience is left trying to figure out what’s really happening. It’s time to call out the unsportsmanlike conduct and get to the heart of this political game.

Author

Shaeleigh Severino
29 Apr • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

 🎯Victory, Defeat, and Dirty Tactics—The Week’s Biggest Political Plays🎯

What Happened: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, claimed “autism destroys families” and falsely stereotyped the entire autistic community as burdens who will never contribute to society. Experts and those familiar with autism are pushing back, citing that autism is a spectrum disorder with a wide range of effects. Autism cases have risen in recent years due to improved awareness and screenings, yet Secretary Kennedy disregards this reality and instead mislabels autism as a “disease” driven by vague “environmental exposures.”

Why It Matters: Trump’s disastrous cabinet isn’t just unqualified—it’s deliberately chosen to push a vision of America rooted in fear, exclusion, and misinformation. RFK Jr.’s recent speech is a prime example of the dangers embedded in Trump’s agenda, not just for public health but for the very fabric of society. By dismissing the strengths, achievements, and humanity of the autistic community, RFK Jr. is distorting the entire nation’s understanding of public health. In his hands, science becomes a tool of division, not discovery. Trump knew RFK Jr. would spread misinformation across America, but he didn’t care—what matters most to him is loyalty, no matter the harm it causes.

What Happened: The Trump Administration has cut $1.6 million in federal funds for projects digitizing the systematic abuse faced by indigenous children in government boarding schools. According to the agency supplying the funds, the research “no longer effectuates the agency’s needs and priorities.” Native Americans nationwide rely on these digitized documents to find loved ones who were taken and heal generational trauma, a fact the Trump Administration seemed to disregard. This cut is part of a larger effort by the Trump Administration to rollback funds for education, diversity projects, and equity initiatives.

Why It Matters: The Trump Administration’s decision is a deliberate effort to erase the uncomfortable parts of American history. This not only impacts the indigenous community but sets a dangerous precedent for how the history of other marginalized groups will be treated. By restricting access to these critical records, the administration weakens our nation’s ability to acknowledge and address systemic abuses. Trump is undermining the educational foundation necessary for future generations to understand and confront historical inequalities.

What Happened: In a second group chat that included his wife and brother, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used his personal phone to share information about United States military operations in Yemen. Hegseth’s aides warned him not to share sensitive information in an unsecure chat, yet the secretary proceeded anyway. This latest scandal comes weeks after Hegseth accidentally added the editor of The Atlantic to an unsecure chat about an upcoming bombing of Yemen.

Why It Matters: Hegseth’s actions are a perfect reflection of Trump’s cabinet as a whole. When a high-ranking official disregards security protocols to share sensitive military operations on an unsecure phone, it shows that protecting the country’s interests takes a backseat to personal convenience. This isn’t just a simple mistake—it compromises military operations, increases the risk of leaks, and erodes trust in leadership. Hegseth’s carelessness with classified information and Trump’s silence speak volumes about where national security ranks in his administration's priorities. 

📌Rubio Unveils First Stage of Major State Department Overhaul

What Happened: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a plan to close 132 domestic offices, cut 700 positions in DC, and eliminate sectors of the State Department focused on war crimes and global conflict. This plan will bring the State Department in alignment with Trump’s isolationist policies and desire to downsize the federal government. Democrats warn that as the United States steps away from international relations, our major competitors, namely China and Russia, will benefit greatly.

Why It Matters: Rubio’s cuts to the State Department couldn’t come at a worse time. When combined with Trump’s tariffs and disastrous diplomatic relations, this move will only worsen global tensions, reduce America’s access to global markets, and hurt our allies abroad. Rubio claims these cuts are just measures to reduce bureaucratic “bloat,” but in reality, it’s a dangerous step toward further isolating America on the world stage. Without strong international ties, we’re leaving ourselves vulnerable in a rapidly shifting global landscape. Yet Republicans aren’t concerned—they’re more focused on advancing their agenda than protecting their own country’s future.

What Happened: While FEMA waited to disburse a backlog of more $100 billion, the Trump Administration directed the agency to prioritize payments to GOP-led Missouri and Virginia. FEMA officials have voiced that while North Carolina was waiting for more than $150 million to rebuild after Hurricane Helene, Missouri’s less urgent situation was prioritized and rapidly addressed. Trump has also advocated for the cutting of disaster preparedness, mitigation, and homeland security programs within FEMA.

Why It Matters: If you live in a blue state who needs help, don’t expect FEMA to arrive anytime soon. Under Trump, disaster relief is being turned into a political favor— a partisan system where red states now get VIP treatment while others wait in the rubble. At the same time, Trump is gutting FEMA’s preparedness programs, making future disasters even harder to survive. This isn’t emergency management—it’s political punishment disguised as policy.

What Happened: Trump claimed that himself and the Chinese government have been actively engaged in negotiations regarding tariffs, but the Chinese foreign ministry has stated this is false. Currently, Trump has a 145% tariff on China which caused our global trading partner to up its tariff on the United States to 125%. Economists warn that this tense trade war could lead to a recession, global stock markets crashing again, and empty retail shelves.

Why It Matters: Trump is selling a fantasy of diplomatic progress, but the reality is a full-blown trade war with no signs of resolution. His false claims about negotiations only deepen global uncertainty while Americans brace for the fallout. With tariffs soaring on both sides, we’re looking at higher prices, supply chain breakdowns, and a real risk of economic recession. This isn’t tough bargaining—it’s a dangerous game, and everyday Americans are the ones footing the bill.

🎭 Meme of the Week

See you next week—stay informed, stay engaged, and don’t let the BS fool you.

✨Your movement bestie – Shae

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