Annabel Dechant and Jack Liebowitz

Last week, Miami University hosted Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary for the Biden administration and first LGBTQ Black woman to hold a White House press briefing, and Marc Short, former Assistant to the President and Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House under the Trump administration and Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence, for the JANUS Forum. This semester’s forum was entitled, “Trump’s (Second) First 100 Days: Is This the New Normal?”

Introduction

Consistent with the spirit of the JANUS Forum – promoting civil civic discourse at the university to allow students to form their own nuanced views on issues – Marc Short opened the discussion with a comment on the difficulty our country has faced with this kind of activity. He noted that, in our polarized environment, “It’s not easy to have conversations with people of different worldviews,” something that has been posing a particular challenge for college campuses recently. 

Karine Jean-Pierre spoke about how her life experiences shaped her and how she was drawn into politics. She spoke about being the daughter of immigrants, and said she never saw herself being in politics or being the White House press secretary. She spoke about how curiosity helped her to find her passion, and how, gradually, “Politics came into play.”

The discussion began with each speaker’s recollection of the first 100 days from their respective administrations. Short contrasted the first and second Trump administrations. He reflected on how he didn’t expect Trump to win in 2016, but that he saw that Trump was tapping into the feelings and desire for change that existed in workers and the middle class. “There’s something we on the coasts were missing here in middle America.” Short argued that, in that first administration, Trump channeled support via populist rhetoric, but paired it with more standard conservative policy. Under the current administration, that paradigm has shifted. “I believe that Trump 2.0 is vastly different.” He claims that the party has become populist to the point of adopting shifts in policy that run contrary to his own “classical conservative viewpoint.”

Indeed, one of the more stark shifts in the Republican agenda has been the party’s approach to foreign policy. The interventionist approaches of Reagan and Bush have run their course; Republicans under Trump have embraced an isolationist mindset previously only held by hardliners of the right. Short remarked on this, even praising Biden’s continuous support for Ukraine and defending U.S. allies abroad. He noted that it’s Trump who appears to be guiding the party in this direction. That, prior to Trump’s second term, Republicans in Congress generally supported aid packages for Ukraine.

Jean-Pierre reflected on joining the Biden campaign and administration during the early pandemic. She said that, “Everybody’s lives were changed in that moment,” and that she decided to join the campaign because, “I knew that it was important to do my part.” In their first 100 days, they were focused on saving lives, using the American Rescue Plan to “get the country back on its feet.” 

In the 2024 election, however, Democrats lost across the board. Jean-Pierre noted how this prompted questioning of what Democrats did wrong and how they would move forward. As we move through the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, Jean-Pierre stated, “We’re living in a situation where it has been chaos.” 

Markets & Tariffs

The first question for discussion focused on recent trouble in the markets and the Trump administration’s tariffs. “We have this notion that a deficit is a bad thing,” Short said. “[In reality], we have a trade deficit because we are the wealthiest country in the world.” This assertion is correct in that the United States can afford to consume more from other countries at a higher rate. Short went on to argue that crafting a trade policy around the goal of eliminating the trade deficit was historically promoted by “Old-Left Democrats.” According to Short, trying to completely eliminate the trade deficit is something that could drive the country into a depression. 

Short also highlighted the negative consequences that protectionist trade policy could have on international relations. He noted that countries with economic interdependence are less likely to go to war. In other words, free trade promotes peace. “Protectionism has been behind the highest global tensions and war,” claimed Short. He argued that putting tariffs on the entire world would drive trading partners to China. Earlier this week, China’s President Xi Jinping embarked on a previously planned diplomatic trip across Southeast Asia. Given the burgeoning trade war with the United States, the trip was given new gravitas as President Xi honed tariffs as a frequent talking point. Overall, Short thought the White House has displayed mixed messages on tariffs, making it unclear whether they are meant to address the trade deficit or if it’s a negotiating tactic. He describes the approach as “A departure from traditional conservatism that supports trade.” 

Jean-Pierre stressed the chaos and uncertainty that have accompanied Trump’s tariff strategy. She said, “What we’re seeing today are tariffs that have no explanation.” She described them as “wreaking havoc on the stock market,” and contrasted the effects with the Trump campaign’s rhetoric on lowering costs for Americans. Jean-Pierre views such policies as “purely cruel to people.” She said of the market and tariff situation: “It’s scary, it doesn’t make sense.” Additionally, she warned that the continuation of these policies would drive us into a recession. The Penn Wharton Budget Model at the University of Pennsylvania projected that Trump’s tariffs (as of April 8) would “reduce long-run GDP by about 6% and wages by 5%.” 

Health

The discussion then pivoted to public health and scientific research. Short said he opposed the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., disagreeing with him on issues such as abortion and measles. However, he doesn’t see the rhetoric and policies of RFK as the party’s new position. Rather, he attributed it to “Pent-up frustration about Covid policy that is bleeding out [in] other ways.” Short said that, while making the vaccines was a “feat,” he felt that it’s the role of the government to educate about their importance rather than to mandate them. Short also felt that closing schools was “an enormous disaster.” In his view, the current vitriol and skepticism expressed by some Republicans toward public health is a reaction to “heavy-handed government forcing vaccines.” 

Jean-Pierre asserted that RFK is not fit for the job, arguing that the position of HHS Secretary is “about our health” and having what we need in order to live in a community. She said that, in the response to the pandemic, the Biden administration “followed the science” and was “able to get us out of that [the worst of the pandemic].” She said that, following the inadequate nature of the Pence administration’s pandemic response (which she said was not “robust” or “comprehensive” enough), the Biden administration was “almost starting from zero.” 

At this point, a rift formed between the speakers, as they disagreed on the two administrations’ different approaches to the COVID pandemic and the implications of such approaches and to health policy as we move through the second Trump administration. RFK Jr.’s varying stance on the vaccine and other factors have made solving the measles outbreak difficult. He’s also been controversial for his stances on autism. 

Democracy

Next, Short and Jean-Pierre talked about some broader and bigger-picture issues of democracy. Jean-Pierre reflected on the Democrats losing the White House, saying there were many reasons why it happened and describing her feelings of disappointment with the party. She praised Cory Booker’s speech on the floor of Congress and urged, “We need to see some fight.” The speech by Booker is the longest one on Senate record, and was full of criticism for the Trump administration. 

In light of the Trump administration’s softened stance toward Putin and diminished support for Ukraine, she questioned, “Are we still the leaders of the free world?” She described the current approach as “placating and bending a knee to Putin,” and asked, “If we do not support Ukraine, what else can happen?” More insight on the growing divide between the Trump administration and Ukrainian leadership can be found in a previous Miami Political Review article that covered an Oval Office confrontation between Trump/Vance and Zelenskyy. 

She also said that the Trump administration has “turned back the clock” on economic progress made over the last decade, taking us in the direction of dictators. She described the typical practice of the White House press briefing as “exercising democracy,” an activity in which reporters could hold politicians accountable and which acted to broadcast freedom of the press around the world. She contrasted this with what the Trump administration has been doing, saying that orchestrating who covers White House activity is “state TV.” She noted that the Trump administration had been “lying,” “gaslighting,” and stacking the press corps. She conceded that Trump is skilled at working the media, saying that today, it’s become about “putting on the best show.” She said that sowing chaos obstructed focus on other things. 

According to Axios, “The White House is sprinkling the traditional press corps with an array of MAGA-friendly journalists who dilute scrutiny, denigrate Democrats and ultimately flatter President Trump.” The administration has also worked on restricting access to independent newswires like the Associated Press and Reuters. 

Short, on the other hand, said that the White House press corps is “tough.” He expressed uncertainty over whether the press actually has a right to particular seats in the briefing room. “Given the real estate in the White House, I don’t think it’s a First Amendment violation.” 

In early April, a federal judge granted the Associated Press a preliminary injunction against the White House, restoring their press access for the time being. The judge agreed that the Trump administration’s barring of AP “amounted to a violation of the First Amendment.” The White House appealed, and there will be a hearing to determine the outcome. Later that week, Judge McFadden declined to compel the White House to follow the injunction.

On the point of coveted “real estate” within the briefing room, it’s also relevant to note the Trump administration has been welcoming of “new media” into the White House. In the first briefing of the second Trump administration, press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that “[T]he White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room.” Such new media has included The Daily Wire, Real America’s Voice, One America News Network, Turning Point USA, and LindellTV. 

Presidential Age & Well-Being

The next question focused on the criticism of Biden’s age during the campaign and the fact that Trump is the oldest president to take office. Responding to the question of whether Biden was fit for office, given his age, Jean-Pierre pointed to the fact that the American people put him there. 

Short said, “Age impacts people differently,” and didn’t think that there was a question of Trump’s “vitality.” He argued that, when it comes to presidents’ age and well-being, “There should be an expectation of transparency.”

Jean-Pierre said Biden was “always honest about his age.” She felt that there has been an “unbalanced” coverage of the age issue with regard to Biden versus to Trump.

Federal Government & Workers

After that, the moderator asked about the Trump administration’s efforts to cut the size of the federal government and what gain came from the mass firings of federal workers. As Reuters reported, “Over 260,000 federal workers have already been fired, have taken buyouts, retired early or have been earmarked for termination since Trump took office,” with more facing the threat of such outcomes to affect them in the time to come. 

Short said that there was a lot of shock over the number of federal employees being laid off, but thought that the trend might not last very long. He said that the legislative branch would have to pass a law to codify the cuts, and that it was necessary for the U.S. to make some cuts, given the fact that the country is $36 trillion in debt. He said that entitlement programs and interest on the debt were the primary drivers of this debt, and stated, “We have to begin cutting spending at some point.” He argued that both Democrats and Republicans haven’t been honest about this, and that we need to start cutting the “size and scope of federal government.” He stated, “The trajectory we’re on is just simply unsustainable.” He does, however, think that the layoffs and related cuts should be legislative actions.

Jean-Pierre responded, “You guys ballooned the deficit.”

February, Trump’s first full month in office, saw a four percent increase in the deficit. 

Immigration & Student Visas

The following question was based on immigration policy, focusing on mass deportations and cancellations of student visas. Short said that for students with visas, “It’s a gift and a privilege they have.” He said they aren’t “guaranteed the right to be here on a student visa.” He didn’t see it as a free speech issue, arguing that if students were going to “incite violence,” the government has the ability to tell them to “go home.” He did say, “Everyone merits a due process.” CNN reported, “More than 1,000 international students and recent graduates at more than 130 schools in the US have had their visas or statuses revoked.” Many universities have said that it’s unclear what the basis for these revocations has been. This trend has come close to our own university, with students at the University of Cincinnati having their visas revoked. 

Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of due process. She said that holders of green cards or visas “should not just disappear off the streets.” Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, was taken off the street by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She expressed concern over people being pulled off the streets and not given the proper due process. 

She reflected on the concept that “We are a country that is filled with immigrants.” With regard to immigration policy, she said that the Biden administration had had a comprehensive immigration plan, but then, Trump disrupted the passing of it. Of immigration policy, she stated, “We took it seriously, we wanted to do more, Donald Trump got in the way.” Brookings offers a helpful explanation of the “collapse of bipartisan immigration reform,” specifically covering the attempted Senate bill and its break-down, attributed to both Trump involvement and to “deeper reasons for the deadlock over immigration.” 

Conclusion

The final question was on advice that the speakers had for college students, especially for those with aspirations of going into public affairs. Short encouraged students to consider pursuing careers in public affairs, saying, “We need people of high character in office.” Responding to the concern over cuts to students’ internships and opportunities, he said, “You’re coming from a great school, you’re going to be given… opportunities” and that there would be plenty of opportunities for government work. Students have lost their federal government internships or been driven to consider career paths other than government as a result of efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. 

Jean-Pierre acknowledged, “It’s a difficult time” for those who love the country. She stated, “The damage that is being done today, in the last couple weeks, is going to have long-term effects.” She stressed the importance of getting involved and bringing the country together. 

Responding to a specific question about going into politics and policy as a Black woman, she said, “Black women tend to be the leaders of their community.” She also stated that Black women have big hearts, and tend to put others before themselves. 

She said, “It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better,” but she urged students, “You can’t give up” because “there’s too much riding on this.” She stated, “We have to rise up” and “we have to speak up, in a peaceful way.”

Writers’ Reflections

This semester’s JANUS Forum was very timely. Both Short and Jean-Pierre made acute points on the first 100 days of the first Trump administration. They certainly had a lot to cover, since the Trump administration has moved with great haste in a short period of time. The New York Times illustrates this with their daily tracker of the Trump administration’s major moves. The Trump administration’s approach has also been seen as a challenge to the powers of lawmakers, especially Congress’s oversight role, meaning the speakers certainly had some big issues to wrestle with. 

Despite their positions firmly planted on opposite sides of the political aisle, if any middle ground was found, it was the speakers’ mutual acknowledgement of the palpable shift in Republican policy under the second Trump administration. They expressed various feelings of uncertainty as we try to understand what the second Trump administration means for our country more largely, as well. 

Still, this year’s forum was hardly a docile exchange. On the contrary, there were moments where Jean-Pierre and Short clashed with fiery demeanor, having significant disagreements over issues such as their respective administrations’ COVID approaches. It seemed, too, that they departed on their messages regarding the degree of this new Trump administration’s implications for the country. While Short acknowledged disagreements with the Trump administration, his criticism didn’t go as far as Jean-Pierre, who condemned what she saw as attacks on democracy.

Republicans such as Marc Short undoubtedly find themselves in a difficult position. How do you square the complete 180 in economic and foreign policy under Trump 2.0 that runs contrary to conservative principles that have defined the Republican party for decades? How will they respond to allegations of First Amendment violations and assaults on democracy? As much soul searching as Democrats are conducting as they spend four years out of the White House, there can be little doubt that their Republican counterparts are also grappling with their party’s identity and direction, albeit introspectively. 

As Jean-Pierre’s reflections demonstrated, Democrats are going to need to think long and hard about the reasons for their 2024 losses and how they could come back from that. They’ll also have to consider what their role is going to be during the Trump administration. For example, will we see more Congress-floor speeches like Booker’s? Will they engage in other forms of resistance? Or will they wait until they have a chance to retake the White House in three years? 

From a severe economic approach characterized by tariffs to First Amendment conflicts to challenges to democratic norms, this JANUS Forum made it clear that the second Trump administration has been, and will likely continue to be, a turbulent and controversial one.