Breaking Down Trump’s 2025 Policy Blueprint

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Alright folks, welcome back to The New Sentinel. I'm Frank McAllister, and today we're wrangling with Trump’s 2025 policy blueprint. Now, let’s start with the big ticket items—tax cuts, deregulation, and this big ol’ push for AI. Y’all still with me, or did I lose ya in the weeds already?

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

Oh, I’m right here, Frank! So, like, the first thing that jumps out is the extension of those Trump-era tax cuts. That’s supposed to, you know, boost investment and make businesses all happy in the short run. But, I mean, is it really that simple? I always get nervous when folks say “deregulation” like it’s a magic word. Especially when it’s energy, finance, and tech all at once.

Chijioke Eze

Evie, you are not alone. Deregulation can be like opening the floodgates—sometimes you get more fish, sometimes you get a flood. In Nigeria, we saw this with oil. Quick gains, but long-term headaches. Here, the plan is to cut red tape for energy, finance, and AI. That could mean more jobs, at least for a while. But, as my father would say, “If you clear the bush too fast, you lose the shade.”

Carlos Estevez

Yeah, and on the tech side, I gotta say, the AI ambitions are wild. The plan is to fast-track data centers, automate federal agencies, and basically make the U.S. the global standard-setter for AI. That’s huge. I mean, I’ve worked on digital security for years, and when you move this fast, you get innovation, but you also get, uh, a lot of risk. Like, who’s watching the henhouse, you know?

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Carlos, you’re talkin’ my language. It’s like when we’d overhaul a pump line—move too quick, and you’re liable to blow a gasket. Now, this energy independence thing—nuclear, fossil fuels, carbon capture—sounds good for folks worried about foreign oil. But what’s the trade-off, Evie? I know you got thoughts on clean energy.

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

Oh, you know I do! So, like, pushing nuclear and carbon capture could help with emissions, but if you’re rolling back clean energy incentives, you’re kinda robbing Peter to pay Paul. And, honestly, younger voters and folks in coastal communities—like mine—are watching this real close. They want jobs, but not at the cost of their future, you know?

Chijioke Eze

And don’t forget, automation in federal agencies means fewer government jobs. That’s a big deal in places where the government is the main employer. It’s like, “You cut the tree, where do the birds go?”

Carlos Estevez

Exactly, Chijioke. And with AI, if we’re not careful, we could end up with a bunch of shiny new tech and a lot of folks left behind. But, if we get it right, the U.S. could lead the world in AI standards. That’s a big “if,” though.

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Alright, let’s chew on the risks a bit. These tariffs on China and other countries—sounds tough, but what’s it mean for regular folks? I remember when steel tariffs hit back in the day, and suddenly, everything from tractors to fence wire cost more. Are we lookin’ at the same thing here?

Carlos Estevez

Yeah, Frank, that’s pretty much it. Tariffs can jack up prices for consumers, and if you pile on enough, you get inflation. Plus, if other countries hit back, U.S. exports take a hit, and that slows down the whole economy. It’s like, you try to fix one leak and end up with three more.

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

And, like, the federal workforce cuts? That’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet. I work with folks in small towns where the post office or the local FEMA office is the main job in town. If those go away, you’re talking about real people losing paychecks, losing health insurance—especially if ACA subsidies get cut. I mean, I might be wrong, but didn’t we see premiums spike last time subsidies got trimmed?

Chijioke Eze

You are right, Evie. When you cut support, the weakest feel it first. In the army, we used to say, “When the food runs out, the smallest soldier goes hungry first.” Same with healthcare and jobs. And with deregulation, you risk more pollution, more storms, more trouble for the next generation. That can turn young people away from the party in power for a long time.

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Yeah, and I’ll tell you, when you mess with the environment, it’s not just about the trees and the critters. It’s about folks’ livelihoods—farmers, fishers, even oil hands like me. If the land goes bad, the work dries up. That’s a lesson we learned the hard way out in West Texas.

Carlos Estevez

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

So, let’s talk about the flip side—opportunities. There’s this idea that tariffs and reshoring could bring back U.S. manufacturing. But, like, is that really sustainable, or are we just setting up for another round of trade wars?

Carlos Estevez

That’s the million-dollar question, Evie. If supply chains adapt, we could see a real boost in domestic industry. But if other countries retaliate, we might end up isolated, with higher prices and fewer allies. And on the tech side, exporting AI to allies could make the U.S. a leader in global tech governance—if we don’t overplay our hand.

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

And then there’s this whole thing about shaping the narrative—using executive orders to steer media and education. Reminds me of when the company tried to push a new safety slogan on us. Top-down, sounded good in the boardroom, but on the rig, folks just rolled their eyes. You gotta have buy-in, or it just don’t stick.

Chijioke Eze

Frank, that is true everywhere. In the army, we had leaders who tried to control the story, but if the troops did not believe, the unit fell apart. I remember one mission—leadership was divided, and our allies started to drift away. It took months to rebuild trust. If the U.S. pushes too hard, we could see legal challenges, global isolation, and more division at home. “When the drum beats too loud, the dancers scatter.”

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

And, like, the culture stuff—using “freedom” as a rallying cry—might work for some, but it can also deepen divides, especially with policies targeting marginalized groups. That’s a real risk for social cohesion.

Carlos Estevez