"Harsh and merciless" Trump requires halt

In the heart of the United States, a series of controversial decisions by President Trump and his allies have raised concerns about the future of American democracy.

Harry Kim, a former mayor of Hawaii County and a member of the Democratic Party, has been watching these developments with a keen eye. The good and caring people of the United States are urged to stand up for their democracy to prevent a cruel and ruthless demagogue from tearing it down.

One of the most contentious issues is the potential loss of USAID, an agency serving the poorest people in the poorest countries of the world. According to a publication by "The Lancet," the loss of USAID could lead to over 14 million additional deaths globally in less than 5 years. Of those deaths, 4.5 million will be children under the age of 5. In the past 20 years, USAID programs have saved 25 million lives through providing food, clean water, medical services, security, and housing.

President Trump has been vocal about his disdain for USAID, stating that all programs are run by radical lunatics. In 2025, he signed an Executive Order titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," which rescinded affirmative action guidelines for federal agencies.

The current proposal passed by Congress and signed by the president has been criticized as an abdication of the legislative branch's power and an unusual surrender of congressional power over money. On July 18, 2025, Congress voted to cut already approved funding, including for public broadcasting and foreign aid humanitarian programs.

The Constitution of the United States, which defines the rules and responsibilities of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the president, has been a guiding light for American democracy since its inception. George Washington, a founder of our democracy, stated that the power under the Constitution will always be in the people.

However, the threat of the loss of the democratic government of the United States is very real. President Trump has even suggested that in four years, people may not have to vote again. After the issue of a website placing DEI labels on pages honoring World War II veterans to remove their roles in the war was pointed out, assurance was given that missing pages would be corrected. However, the order ending other radical and wasteful programs still remains.

It is crucial for the American public to stay informed and involved in these matters to ensure the endurance and success of a democratic form of government, which is the most difficult and depends on an informed and involved public.