It’s only been a month since Donald Trump took office again, but in that short time, he’s already made several scary, frustrating, and downright dangerous decisions. We’re living through a time where every day feels like we’re losing something important. And as I sit here counting down the days to January 20, 2029 (when hopefully a new president will take over), I can’t help but feel a sense of dread about what’s to come.

Here’s a look at some of the most alarming things Trump and his administration have done in his first month back in office:

1. Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Trump wasted no time attacking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, proving once again that his presidency isn’t just ignoring fairness, it’s actively working against it. In January, he signed an executive order wiping out DEI efforts across the federal government. This means no more training to stop workplace discrimination, no more programs making sure hiring is fair, and no more policies helping people from different backgrounds get the same opportunities as everyone else. Trump is making it clear: diversity doesn’t matter, fairness doesn’t matter, and if you’re not already at the top, you’re out of luck.

And big businesses? They’re falling right in line. Afraid of backlash, companies like Target, Walmart, and Meta have cut their own DEI programs, firing staff and pretending diversity was never a priority. Instead of standing up for their workers, they’re giving in to political pressure, proving that their so-called "commitment to equality" was never real. 

Schools are also under attack. Across the country, states and the federal government are forcing schools to cut back on diversity efforts. The U.S. Department of Education has removed all DEI programs, taking away support systems meant to help students from all backgrounds. This means fewer resources, less representation, and an education system that cares more about keeping certain people in power than helping students succeed.

Trump and his supporters claim this is about stopping wasteful spending or fighting reverse discrimination. That’s a lie. This is about keeping power in the hands of the people who already have it and shutting out everyone else. DEI programs weren’t just nice ideas, they made schools and jobs fairer. Now, all that progress is being erased, and Trump is making sure the system stays rigged.

2. Appointing Dangerous People to Important Positions

Trump’s appointments to key positions in his cabinet have been controversial, to say the least. Here are some of the most troubling ones:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services: Kennedy is one of the most infamous anti-vaccine activists in the country and is now in charge of the nation’s health policy. His history of spreading misinformation about vaccines, falsely linking them to autism despite overwhelming scientific evidence against the claim, has already contributed to rising vaccine hesitancy. Under his leadership, trust in public health is collapsing, and preventable diseases like measles are making a comeback. The CDC has already reported nearly 100 new measles cases in Texas and New Mexico, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. 

• Tulsi Gabbard as Secretary of Defense: Gabbard is a former Congresswoman who is known for making controversial statements about U.S. foreign policy. She has even suggested that the U.S. should stay out of conflicts in countries like Syria, even when those conflicts threaten democracy and human rights. Yet, at the same time, in 2017, she met with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who has been accused of using chemical weapons on his own people. With her as Secretary of Defense, there’s a real risk that America’s military might become less focused on protecting human rights and more focused on keeping things quiet internationally. 

• Kash Patel as Director of National Intelligence: Patel has been a loyal Trump ally, but his past actions raise serious concerns. He’s been accused of politicizing intelligence reports to serve Trump’s interests, instead of letting intelligence agencies do their jobs without interference. His appointment to oversee national intelligence could make it harder to trust the information we get about national security, especially if it’s filtered through a political lens. 

• Howard Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce: Lutnick is a businessman who runs Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial company. While it’s good to have business experience in government, Lutnick has faced criticism for prioritizing his business interests over the well-being of everyday Americans. Critics point to his firm's $600 million stake in the cryptocurrency company Tether, suggesting that with his leadership, there’s a chance that big businesses will get special treatment, while regular workers might not get the support they need.

These appointments show that Trump isn’t interested in putting qualified, experienced people in charge. Instead, he’s putting in place people who are loyal to him, even if they don’t have the expertise needed to do the job properly.

3. Federal Employees Forced to Resign or Lose Their Jobs

Federal workers are now being pushed out of their jobs. Under Trump’s influence, many have received emails telling them to resign by a certain date or be fired. But this isn’t just about cutting staff, it’s about getting rid of people who might disagree with Trump’s agenda.

It gets worse. These employees are also being asked to explain what they’ve done in their roles, details about past decisions and actions. This isn’t standard procedure; it’s a clear attempt to find and remove anyone who isn’t loyal to Trump’s goals.

This pressure is leaving federal workers afraid to speak up. And with Trump’s supporters in control, there’s almost no one left to protect them. The result? A government losing experienced workers weakens the very systems that are supposed to serve the public. This isn’t just about job cuts, it’s about forcing loyalty and tearing down the government from the inside.

4. Threats to Immigrants

Under Trump, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has become more aggressive, and it’s putting immigrant families, especially those with kids in school, in constant fear. One of the biggest changes is that Trump made it easier for ICE to operate near schools, churches, and hospitals, places that were once considered safe. This has caused a lot of stress for families, who now worry that just sending their kids to school could lead to them being separated from their families. 

In Massachusetts, Worcester schools have been directly affected. ICE has been permitted to enter schools and arrest people, even though there are federal laws that are supposed to protect children in these environments. While some schools are trying to stop this from happening by making “sanctuary” rules, it’s still a real concern. For many immigrant families, this sends a clear message that they aren’t safe anywhere, not even in their own communities. 

Across the country, ICE has been increasing its actions near schools, hospitals, and workplaces, which is making immigrant families feel like they’re living in constant fear. In places like Texas and California, ICE raids have happened near neighborhoods where immigrant families live, making them scared for their safety. Even though the Trump administration argues that these actions are necessary to enforce immigration laws, the reality is that they’re tearing families apart and making children afraid to even go to school. 

Trump’s immigration policies are putting immigrant families at risk. It’s not about protecting the country; it’s about making people live in fear and causing unnecessary pain to those who just want to live peacefully.

5. Attacks on Healthcare

The administration has been cutting money for the Affordable Care Act, making it harder for people to keep their healthcare. They’ve also been pushing to cut programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which help low-income families. Some plans want to cut these programs by more than half. Some proposals want to cut $880 billion from Medicaid, which helps low-income people and the disabled pay for health coverage. This would affect millions of people who rely on it. These cuts aren’t just about money, they’re about taking away healthcare from the people who need it most. 

6. Rolling Back Environmental Protections

Trump’s environmental policies have been catastrophic. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, weakening global efforts to fight climate change. His administration rolled back emissions regulations, loosened restrictions on fossil fuel industries, and cut funding for renewable energy. Maybe most alarming, Trump opened federally protected lands to drilling and mining, putting fragile ecosystems at risk. These rollbacks accelerate climate change, endanger wildlife, and threaten public health.

7. FAFSA and Federal Budget Cuts

If you're a student relying on federal aid to pay for college, you should be worried. Trump's administration has proposed major cuts to federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and FAFSA funding. For students like me, who come from families that rely on financial aid, this could mean losing out on thousands of dollars that help make college possible. Tuition prices are already sky-high, and if FAFSA funding gets cut, it could mean fewer students can attend college at all. This isn't just an inconvenience, it's a barrier that could block an entire generation from higher education. Trump's administration claims these cuts are about reducing government spending, but let's be real: it's about making it harder for low-income and middle-class students to succeed. The rich will always have a way to afford college, but for the rest of us, these cuts could be devastating.

8. The White House’s Disturbing Social Media Propaganda

If Trump’s administration wasn’t already screaming dictator, the White House’s social media presence is making it crystal clear. A recent Instagram post from the official White House account featured a fake Time magazine cover labeling Trump as “KING,” celebrating his reversal of New York’s congestion pricing plan. The message: Trump sees himself not as a president, but as a ruler. 

But it doesn’t stop there. In one of the most insensitive moves imaginable, the White House released an ASMR-style video showcasing the deportation of undocumented immigrants, reducing human suffering to an insane social media show. Even their Valentine’s Day post, featuring a poem mocking undocumented immigrants, shows an obvious disregard for basic human decency. 

This is more than bad PR, it’s propaganda designed to normalize Trump’s power grab. These posts aren’t just embarrassing; they’re dangerous.

The Disastrous Reality

Many of the voters who backed Trump were expecting big tax cuts and more opportunities for their businesses. They thought they'd see stronger economic growth and a more business-friendly government. Instead, they're getting a country filled with division, chaos, and fear. Trump has made it harder for immigrants to feel safe, made it easier for corporations to stop supporting diversity, and filled his government with unqualified, controversial people. If these voters had just put their trust in a woman who could actually lead and make positive changes to our nation, we might have been able to avoid all of this. 

As we move forward, things are looking grim. People are worried about the possibility of national abortion bans, the military being used for political purposes, and even the possibility of new wars breaking out. Trump's policies suggest he's willing to go against the norms and push the country toward more anti-American positions. The scariest part is knowing that every day feels like we're moving backward. It's easy to feel powerless when Washington D.C. seems so broken. Regardless, we need to hold strong, stay keenly aware of Trump's every move, and keep resisting every step toward an anti-democratic government. 

For now, I'll be counting down the days until the wannabe dictator is out of office.