Kevin Kruse on Why Trump’s Second Term is Worse Than Expected
Introduction
Kevin Kruse, a respected historian and author, has raised significant concerns about Donald Trump’s second presidential term, indicating it has surpassed his already cautious expectations.
In a March 2025 interview, Kruse noted that the administration’s actions during its first two months have proven to be more extreme and constitutionally troubling than he had anticipated.
Kruse’s Core Concerns About Trump 2.0
“I didn’t expect this administration to venture so boldly into questionable constitutional territory, yet they have,” Kruse remarked in a recent conversation with Public Notice.
This statement underscores that while Kruse anticipated some challenges in governance, the actual developments have been more pronounced than he foresaw.
Kruse emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “I want to highlight how concerning this is in terms of our established norms, expectations, and legal frameworks.
There are many elements here that raise significant constitutional questions." This indicates that Kruse is particularly troubled by what he perceives as potential violations of constitutional law rather than just breaches of political norms or traditions.
Additionally, he cautioned against normalizing such actions, expressing that the opposition “should not accept this as the new standard, which is what the administration hopes to achieve.” This suggests his concern about the strategic nature of the administration’s approach, which appears designed to overwhelm opposition through a rapid succession of controversial actions.
The Unprecedented Musk Factor
One surprising element of Trump’s second term for Kruse has been Elon Musk’s involvement in the administration. In the interview, Kruse was asked to draw historical parallels regarding “an unelected figure exerting considerable influence over the executive branch” as Musk has done.
While he cited Eisenhower’s cabinet of “eight millionaires and a plumber” as a historical reference, he emphasized that “nothing compares to the level of perceived lawlessness and challenges we face currently.”
Kruse pointed to specific instances of Musk's influence, noting, “Musk recently managed to transfer an FAA program from Verizon to his own company.” This direct transition of government programs for Musk's business interests illustrates what Kruse perceives as a troubling trend in governance.
Furthermore, Musk’s “tense meetings” with Marco Rubio regarding cuts to USAID and the State Department suggest that Musk’s influence may extend into the realm of foreign policy.
Profiting From Power
Kruse highlighted several policy areas of concern regarding possible self-dealing within the administration: “What is evident from Musk and others in Trump’s circle is that there are financial motivations at play,” Kruse stated.
He cited tax cuts as a prominent example, observing, “The members of the cabinet are poised to benefit from tax reductions for wealthy individuals.” This indicates that Kruse views economic policies as not solely ideological but potentially as mechanisms for self-enrichment among cabinet members.
Dismantling Government Capacity
By March 2025, notable cuts had already been implemented across government agencies.
These reductions resulted in significant losses to the Education Department, affecting staff from vital offices, potentially hindering the government’s capacity to ensure transparency in school performance and test scores.
Similarly, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin celebrated what he referred to as “an unprecedented day of deregulation” aimed at dismantling numerous key climate regulations.
Zeldin expressed hopes to challenge core scientific findings that link carbon emissions to public health risks.
This systematic reduction in government capacity aligns with concerns Kruse has articulated.
Historical Context: Trump’s Governance Approach
To better understand why Kruse regards Trump’s second term as more troubling, it is helpful to reflect on analyses of Trump’s first term and overarching governing philosophy.
Pattern of Falsehoods
During his first term, Trump was noted for making “tens of thousands of false or misleading claims.”
The Washington Post’s fact-checker described Trump as “the most fact-challenged politician” they had encountered.
By the conclusion of Trump’s first presidency, The Washington Post had documented 30,573 falsehoods, averaging 21 per day.
This established pattern of factual inaccuracies provides context for Kruse’s apprehensions regarding the administration’s relationship with truth.
Authoritarian Tendencies
Trumpism has been characterized as a form of “right-wing authoritarian populism” and is widely considered by scholars to pose significant challenges to American democracy. This refers to Trump’s advocacy for an “extreme interpretation of executive power, suggesting that Article II grants him the authority to ‘do whatever I want.’”
In February 2025, shortly after commencing his second term, Trump reportedly authored and displayed a comment asserting, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
Impact on Everyday Americans
Kevin Kruse expresses significant concern regarding the human impact of the current administration's policies.
David Rothkopf highlights the potential consequences of the actions of figures like Trump and Musk by stating, “The challenges that could arise in the next six months may be quite severe.
Many lives could be affected, whether through job losses, diminished access to essential government services, economic impacts stemming from policies that may lack economic foresight, the cessation of international programs, and legal challenges that could arise.”
Understanding the Current Landscape
The Foundation for American Progress (FAF) outlines several factors that contribute to Kruse’s belief that Trump’s second term presents more significant challenges than he initially expected:
Pace and Scope of Changes
FAF notes that the administration has swiftly cut government agencies and regulatory rollbacks in the initial months, indicating a more aggressive approach than Kruse had anticipated.
This aligns with Kruse’s observation that the administration aims to “flood the zone and overwhelm the opposition,” highlighting a rapid shift in governance.
Concerns Over Constitutional Integrity
Kruse points out that the administration seems to have crossed traditional boundaries, entering "deeply unconstitutional waters."
This suggests a qualitative difference in actions compared to Trump’s first term, raising concerns given the administration's expansive interpretations of presidential power.
Corporate Influence in Governance
Kruse has also been surprised by Elon Musk's notable involvement in shaping government policy, given its breadth and directness.
FAF suggests that Musk's influence across various federal agencies represents a level of corporate engagement in governance unprecedented in recent history.
Conclusion
A Historian's Perspective on Governance
Kevin Kruse’s assessment regarding the challenges of Trump’s second term carries significant weight due to his expertise as a historian focused on American political movements.
His surprise at the administration's assertive actions indicates that even those critical of such governance did not fully anticipate the rapidity and extent of the changes.
Kruse’s caution against the normalization of certain practices reflects concerns that constitutional breaches and corruption he has observed could become ingrained aspects of American governance without vigilant opposition.
His historical insight provides a thoughtful perspective on our current political landscape, suggesting that the nation is navigating governance characterized by a unique mix of corporate influence, constitutional scrutiny, and a fundamental re-evaluation of governmental capacities.
Kruse’s analysis, rooted in his scholarly understanding of American political movements, extends beyond partisan critique to offer a measured examination of governance trends that appear to surpass even the more pessimistic forecasts regarding Trump’s leadership.
