THE DML REPORT

THE TEST OF LEADERSHIP

“I know what you’re thinking, times are not the best but it could have been worse with Kamala. I agree, but that answer doesn’t solve our problems. Our president is facing major mountains to climb, and I wonder how he will do it.” — DML

ONE ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER

I wonder if Trump makes a list of things to do each day, if he does, how does he prioritize between them all — each is bigger than the next. Take a look below, objectively, and come to terms with what Trump faces, and what all of us face as Americans. And mind you, this is a partial list.

Saturday’s KING Protest and Trump’s Victory Parade

President Trump promised mass deportations, and his border czar has echoed this with fiery rhetoric reminiscent of an Irish militia leader—Tom Homan is more intimidating than Whitey Bulger. Yet, mass deportations haven’t materialized. Courts have gotten in the way, we do not have the manpower, and the White House is moving slower than Trump expected. Instead of mass deportations, a massive protest movement is brewing across the country, set to erupt tomorrow in major cities. The past week, the LA riots were bad, but they may pale in comparison to what could unfold on Saturday. I fear the BLM marches for George Floyd will look minor compared to millions of illegal aliens rallying at city halls nationwide? Only tomorrow will tell. But one thing is certain: Trump must confront this head-on.

Adding to the tension, Trump has scheduled a “Victory Parade” tomorrow in Washington, D.C., to celebrate his 2025 inauguration and rally the MAGA base. Supporters view it as a bold statement of his mandate, a festive display of patriotism with flags, music, and speeches touting his America First agenda. MAGA enthusiasts on X are calling it “a historic moment to reclaim the nation,” with some predicting it will boost morale and unify conservatives. I wish I was so optimistic. I do not know a single person traveling to be there. Meanwhile, critics, including progressive activists and some moderates, decry it as a provocative stunt. They argue it inflames divisions, especially amid the planned protests, and risks escalating tensions into violence. Posts on X from anti-Trump accounts warn of “a dangerous spectacle” that could “spark chaos” if protests and the parade converge. Both sides agree the day will be pivotal, but whether it’s a triumph or a flashpoint remains uncertain.

Tariffs: A Double-Edged Sword

I support tariffs to revive American manufacturing, but the on-again, off-again approach is problematic. Over lunch this week, a friend who runs a software security company serving Fortune 500 clients shared troubling insights. His accounts receivable are down 10%, and sales cycles are the longest in years. Why? Tariffs. Companies are in a holding pattern, paralyzed by unpredictable rates—25% one day, 145% the next, then 55%. This uncertainty makes it impossible to forecast inventories or sales. Major employers, who sustain thousands of American jobs, can’t endure this whirlpool of indecision. Layoffs loom if clarity doesn’t emerge soon. According to my pal, it’s too late. There is a recession coming and there is nothing that can stop it. We shall see, but I fear he is correct.

Trump’s in a bind of his own making with the tariffs. He must commit to a consistent tariff rate and strategy—live or die by it. The erratic shifts and looming deadlines can’t continue. Complicating matters, negotiations with China are raising alarms. Reports suggest the White House is offering student visas for Chinese nationals in exchange for better tariff terms. That China would even propose this sort of deal should send shivers down your spine. As I noted earlier this week, the last thing we need is an influx of Chinese student spies smuggling in bio-weapons, threatening our agriculture. There were three arrests of Chinese student smugglers this week alone. We need to kick the Chinese students out, not invite more in.

The Big Beautiful Bill and Amnesty Concerns

Trump’s MAGA plan, dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB), may be based on Trump’s vision for America, but in all actuality it is what we conservatives scream about when we are dealing with a liberal president — overspending and big government. If you want me to be truthful with you — although I’m 1000% America First and Pro-Trump, I cannot pretend the BBB is good for us. The BBB has some parts that offer great stuff, but as a whole it is a budgetary behemoth stuffed with pork and contentious provisions. Conservative lawmakers are balking, and having skimmed parts of it myself, I understand why. One glaring issue — just a small one in an ocean of small problems that drown a nation: the BBB is allowing states to build unregulated AI systems and facilities. AI is the most dangerous innovation in human history—unleashing it without oversight is reckless. AI is going to kill millions of jobs, and potentially be a war machine of its own. It needs to be regulated! All in, the bill faces stiff opposition and may not pass without major concessions, risking GOP infighting that could weaken the party in the midterms.

Worse, Trump’s sudden new push this week for relaxed immigration enforcement for illegal aliens working in agriculture, hotels, and hospitality smells like amnesty, no matter how it’s framed. In my 20 years covering politics, two truths stand firm: liberals won’t budge on abortion, and conservatives reject amnesty in any form. Even a hint of leniency could depress conservative turnout in the midterms. I’ve seen this pattern repeat—voters stay home when core principles are compromised. I really hope someone is telling the president that if he loses the midterms he will be impeached and possibly removed (if we lose the Senate, too).

The Russia-Ukraine Quagmire

The Russia-Ukraine war drags on, a relentless nightmare with no end in sight. Five months into Trump’s presidency, we’re no closer to peace than we were under Biden. Trump can’t ignore it—Russia’s power and unpredictability demand attention, unlike smaller conflicts in places like the Congo. But solutions are scarce, and now Russia’s ally, Iran, is escalating tensions elsewhere.

Iran and Israel: A Dangerous Escalation

Tonight, Iranian ballistic missiles struck Israel’s military headquarters, the Kirya—Israel’s Pentagon—in a direct hit, causing significant damage. The attack, part of a barrage of 150 missiles targeting military and residential areas, was Iran’s retaliation for Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities and IRGC leadership. This marks a major escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict, raising fears of a broader war. Trump’s response will be critical as global stability hangs in the balance.

Trump’s Toughest Test

Like many of you, I voted for Trump three times, believing he could navigate turbulent times. But this moment—illegal aliens, tariff chaos, Chinese negotiations, the Russia-Ukraine war, a cooling economy, AI, and now a potential Middle East crisis—may be his greatest challenge. Would things be worse under Harris or Biden? Yes, of course. But did I expect this many obstacles under Trump’s leadership? Honestly, no. Again, the courts have been a problem, but at the end of the day it’s on his watch. There is no escaping it.

I pray he has a plan that goes beyond what he posts on Truth Social. I go to bed believing and hoping there is. Either way, I wish him strength, and I envy his toughness when stress hovers over him, but I wouldn’t trade places with Trump for anything. This is one of the worst periods I recall in my 56 years.

You come to me for honesty, I hope. I gave it to you tonight. Gloom and doom? Not yet. But we are in very rough waters. Tomorrow’s protests and parade will test the nation’s resolve. May God bless America and President Trump.