THE WORLD HOLDS ITS BREATH AS TRUMP 2.0 BECOMES A REALITY

As the world learned from Trump 1.0, the only predictable thing about Donald Trump is his unpredictability.

- JOHN DOBSON

Tomorrow starts the open season of political vandalism in the United States as Donald Trump assumes office as President for the second time. The so-called "deep state" is in line to be gutted, following Trump's announced intention to purge the federal bureaucracy and administrative state of professional civil servants, who he believes were behind politically motivated attacks on him. These will be replaced by Trump loyalists, battle-hardened people who not only adore him, but also know how to wield the levers of bureaucratic control. Trump 2.0 will stretch the norms of Washington to their breaking point and ensure that not only willthe power ministries be used to shield him and his allies from accountability, but they will simultaneously be used to intimidate and persecute anyone who dares to criticise him. His "America First" policy will accelerate the country's abdication of the role of champion of free trade and the defender of global values.

Although Trump repeatedly disavowed the infamous 900-page Project 2025 over a backlash of some of its more radical proposals, many believe that this publication by the Heritage Foundation, one of Washington's most prominent right-wing think tanks, will be the blueprint for Trump's four years in office. More than 100 conservative organisations contributed to the document, including many that will now be hugely influential in Washington. Watch out for the four main policy aims as the new administration takes office: "restore the family as the centrepiece of American life; dismantle the administrative state; defend the nation's sovereignty and borders; and secure God-given rights to live freely".While fewwould criticise three of these, the idea of dismantling the administrative state is causing deep concern among those US citizens who believe in American democracy.