During his initial term, Donald Trump held a significant admiration for Andrew Jackson, the rugged-faced self-shaped populist known for his fondness of shaking up Washington’s politics. As his presidency unfolds, it’s apparent that he now has a different political figure in high regard: the assertive yet always civil William McKinley, who was a firm believer of both the expansion of America and imposing tariffs, which Trump echoes in his second-term policies. This shift in admiration only implicitly indicates how Trump’s political perspective has transformed since he took office.
McKinley’s political stance resonates with Trump’s evolving thought process and aligns well with the political climate he is currently navigating, different from what it was in 2017 when he was first inaugurated. During those times, his prime target was the elites whom Trump predicted would fall against a massive revolt led by the working class, echoing traits attributed to Jackson. However, in his second inauguration, he exalted McKinley, hailing him as an instinctive businessman who enriched our country through well-placed tariffs and stellar talent.
The president demonstrated his newfound affection for McKinley by issuing a Day 1 order to reinstate the title of North America’s highest mountain peak as Mount McKinley. He has also been referencing the 25th president more frequently in his discourse. As a result, the world now finds itself on the edge, expecting a trade war of a magnitude reminiscent of the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 due to Trump’s new tariffs. Meanwhile, the once-frequently-mentioned Jackson has faded into the background.
Regardless of the significant changes inferred from his new-found admiration, the White House maintains that the transition is not a deviation from the objectives set out during his first term. Instead, the change signifies Trump’s renewed focus on carrying out those objectives with a different set of tactics, in this case, tariffs.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that numerous of Trump’s current aides come from a financial background, and are eager to steer the economy according to Trump’s objectives, rather than attempting a complete bottom-up revamp. This change in focus has translated into Trump concentrating his political attacks on foreign countries, as well as ‘globalists’ who support worldwide free trade.
Increasingly, he seeks to institute a new economic order that prioritizes U.S. interests, seeing high import taxes as tools to pressure America’s trade partners into negotiating more advantageous deals. Despite the shift towards McKinley’s principles, it should be noted that some of Trump’s initial Jacksonian inclinations remain active.
It’s important to mention that during his first term in office, Trump did impose certain tariffs, continuing to leave his imprint on Washington through efforts to downsize the federal workforce and replace it with supportive allies. McKinley provides a historical and intellectual justification for Trump’s favor towards tariffs, contributing a comfortable precedent that he can lean on.
Looking back, Jackson was a historic figure, the creator of the Democratic Party, though he is currently criticized by many on the left due to his past as a slaveholder and his role in enforcing the ‘Trail of Tears’ on Native Americans. Even though Jackson, who was orphaned at 14, rose to wealth through self-tutoring in law, he was known to be a voice for the common Americans in politics, a quality Trump praised in his first term referring to Jackson as the ‘People’s President’.
McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio, near Youngstown, and was bestowed with the honorary title of ‘Major’ due to his valiant service in the Union army, a title he carried throughout his political journey. His leadership took an unfortunate halt halfway into his second term when he was assassinated in 1901. As a congressman, McKinley was referred to as the ‘Napoleon of Protection’ due to his strong support for the 1890 Tariff Act.
Not only was McKinley significant domestically, but he also symbolized a surge in American colonial expansion. This was demonstrated in his annexation of Hawaii and gaining control of the Philippines. His administration is also credited with the acquisition of new territories in Guam and Puerto Rico, the establishment of a military government in Cuba, and dispatching troops to China.
Presently, Trump has voiced his interest in expanding U.S. influence, mentioning places like Panama and Greenland as potential regions of interest. Moreover, he has suggested drastic ideas like incorporating Canada as the 51st state and transforming the Gaza Strip into the ‘Riviera’ of the Middle East.
The post Trump Shifts Political Admiration from Jackson to McKinley appeared first on Real News Now.
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