Members of the Trump Administration seldom, well, never call me for my sage advice from Texas on how to run things in Washington, however beneficial it might be to their success. Also, I have not been an annual subscriber to New Year’s resolutions, so they have no reason to include me in their New Year strategies.
I do, though, have four resolutions that Trump forces should consider if they do not want a repeat of the second-half disasters during Trump’s first administration. They were suggested in one verse from a World War II Johnny Mercer song, “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positiv”. It goes:
You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom, down to the minimum
Otherwise pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
Resolution #1 – Let the Economy grow, don’t just talk about it. After the economic issues from the past administration, all but the well-off Americans are still in recovery mode from inflation, trying to meet their increased monthly expenses until their take-home pay increases. Until that match is made, Trump’s happy talk will not win votes in November.
Joy will be spread to the maximum when financially stressed citizens see that extra money in their paychecks in 2026, which will happen when untaxed overtime and tips become ‘surprise’ additional income. Elderly people who are deciding whether to work more, because income from Social Security will raise taxes, will conclude that they can work more hours and bring home more pay. These tax decreases will benefit those who suffered the most from high inflation.
Resolution #2 – Reform immigration, not over-enforce it. A major element of Trump’s economic policies was to use tariffs to induce accelerated foreign investment in the United States, which he claims is approaching $20 trillion. To absorb even half that amount, the country will need more workers than are available. Likewise, it is politically and practically impossible to deport the number of illegal immigrants in recent years allowed into the country. If they have not violated any laws, we should find ways to integrate them into the workforce needed to absorb the new investments being made.
By his election in 2024, Trump won the border issue. But he is increasingly losing public approval by overhyping it daily in the news and by his opponents overpublicizing ICE’s enforcement efforts. The Administration should call for a bipartisan immigration bill that would provide the workers needed to expand U.S. growth, while still deporting the criminal elements among them with less publicity.
Resolution #3 – Law and order should be a local problem; stay out of it! Emphasizing a problem like law and order, which should be an issue for local law enforcement, does not motivate most citizens. Having federal troops patrolling city streets only highlights another gloomy issue.
Resolution #4 – Speak softly, but carry a big stick; peace through strength. President Trump has resolved, or nearly resolved, the three major foreign policy issues that emerged during the Biden Administration: the Gaza War, the Iranian nuclear breakout, and the Ukraine War. The nation’s $38 trillion debt has greatly limited our nation’s defense budget options, but the Administration should initiate efforts to mitigate the future China challenge through strength.
Taking down Venezuela’s President Maduro would be an excellent international coup; attacking drug cartel targets in Mexico would be a major political fiasco.
In the first year of his second Administration, President Trump created policies designed to provide the U.S. with a viable, growing economy, about which he and his proponents can argue in the November midterms. His leadership role before the election should be to ensure that he does not allow pandemonium to walk upon the scene, as he is prone to do!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
TW3
December 25, 2025
John Whitmore Jenkins
