Honolulu, HI -- In just 43 days in office, President Trump has done nothing to help hard-working Americans. In fact, Trump made his priorities clear; he’s committed to laying off American Workers, engaging in trade wars with American allies, supporting dictators, and assaulting the U.S. Constitution.

-- Since Trump has taken office an estimated 75,000 Federal workers have been laid off through Trump’s self-created department entitled “DOGE” led by Elon Musk. These layoffs include over 1,000 military veterans working for the VA, 1,300 employees of the Centers for Disease Control working to contain Avian Flu, and hundreds of Air Traffic Control Agents working to make air travel safe. Not only have tens of thousands of hard-working Americans lost their jobs due to Trump, but as a result of these reckless layoffs the cost of eggs and groceries have skyrocketed, and air traffic accidents have increased exponentially.

-- On Mar 4th, Trump enacted 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico to be paid for by the American public. These reckless tariffs kicked off a trade war with two American allies, as Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on US goods, and Mexico is expected to announce retaliatory tariffs later this week. As a result, the stock market tumbled. Dow Jones tumbled more than 1,300 points, and the S&P 500 dropped 1.8% for its worst day since November of 2024. As a result of this trade war imposed by Trump, the American public will see substantial increases in the cost of Electronics, Automobiles, Gas, and Groceries.

-- Trump embarrassed America on the international stage. First, he spread misinformation about the origins of the Russia-Ukraine war. Then Trump put on a spectacle in the oval office, by verbally attacking visiting Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and praising Dictator, Vladimir Putin.

Yet Trump barely addressed these issues at Mar 4th’s Joint Address. He bragged about “Renaming the Gulf of Mexico,” attacked Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies, and spread lies about minority communities. In defending the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump did not address the mass layoffs of federal workers. He simply spread misinformation about how federal funds are being spent and spread lies about the age of Social Security recipients.

While Trump did address his self-imposed Tariffs on American allies, he did not provide a plan for the rising costs of goods that will result from the tariffs. Moreover, he simply ignored their effects on the stock market. In fact, Trump’s address did not address the rising cost of groceries, housing, or healthcare, all issues that Americans truly care about. Yet he did brag about upcoming corporate tax cuts.

On Mar 4th’s joint address by Trump provided little facts, few policies, and no solutions to solve the problems every day Americans are faced with. Trump continued to spread lies, and blamed minority communities for America’s problems. Trump doubled down on his divisive agenda.

Democrats nationally and locally will fight Trump’s tyrannical agenda and will continue to develop and implement solutions for hard working Americans.

-- Derek Turbin
Chair, Democratic Party of Hawai`i
Western Region Chair, Association of State Democratic Parties