Is this what Kansans voted for? Breaking down the first 100 days of Trump 2.0.

Kansans have now lived through the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, and even amidst a magnitude of starts and stops and a relentless firehose of misinformation, a clearer picture emerges.

I am prompted to ask: Is this what Kansans voted for?

Obsessed narcissist

Trump made known what to expect with his 2017 pronouncement: “I alone can fix it.”

He now confidently elevates his obsession: “I am the only one who can save this nation.” And: “My gut tells me more sometimes than anybody else’s brain can ever tell me.” And further: “He who saves his country does not violate any law.”

If Kansans experienced a neighbor or local official with such a mindset, they would consider that person unhinged.

Trump’s fixations have led him to undermine the rule of law and evade constitutional checks and balances, conduct a slapdash assault on international trade through unprecedented tariffs, and assault established institutions in education, law and critical federal services, among others. Republicans in Congress — including those who represent Kansans — see their legislative powers eclipsed but quietly stand aside wringing their hands.

Trump has surrounded himself with loyalists and sycophants who nod approvingly at his every impulse. Stephen Hanson and Jeffery Kopstein describe this behavior as “patrimonial,” a pattern of governance practiced by royalty in historic times but now reemerging in places such as Vladimir Putin’s Russia, among others (check out their book, “Assault on the State“).

This governing style resembles that of a mob boss who daily indulges favored cronies while punishing real or perceived enemies. History shows the fatal flaws of patrimonial governance to be incompetence and corruption.

Incompetence

The incompetence of the Trump White House in its first 100 days has mushroomed. We saw it first in his top-level nominees to key departments: Pete Hegseth at Defense, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Health and Human Services, Linda McMahon at Education, among others. He has surrounded himself with yes men and women who mimic their patron.

The maladministration of these appointees has the fingerprints of U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, both of whom voted in lockstep to confirm numerous questionable nominees. They could have helped stop a few of them.

Trump’s incompetence on the economy has become manifest. Through on-again-off-again tariffs, his self-inflicted war on global trade has thrown the nation’s steadily growing economy with declining inflation into turmoil. It now shows signs of stalling growth while increasing inflation and prospects for a recession.

Trump imagines he can bully nearly 100 nations representing three-quarters of the global economy into submission, including favorable deals on tens of thousands of goods and services exchanged in global trade. Kansas farmers have watched international markets disappear, Kansas aviation workers have seen Boeing planes returned, and Kansans in or near retirement have seen their savings plummet.

A likely recession will hammer the bottom line of hometown business owners across Kansas.

Incompetence breeds administrative chaos and sows confusion. In a recent week of revolving chairs, the IRS saw three agency heads come and go. A demand letter to Harvard signed by top Trump officials, but later described by other Trump officials as “mistakenly sent,” prompted Harvard to take the extraordinary step of suing in federal court to block punitive measures taken by the administration against the university.

Disarray at the top of Pentagon has resulted in the firing of Trump appointees, while Hegseth communicates battle plans on an insecure commercial platform with wife and brother.

Corruption

Where to start? Trump views his presidency as a moneymaking venture for Trump enterprises: His new cryptocurrency business conducted out of public view. Real estate deals in the Middle East in advance of a presidential visit. Corporate sponsorships for the White House Easter Day egg hunt. Political gatherings at Trump resorts. Trump merchandise. The list goes on and on.

Trump’s personal aggrandizement has made government ripe for corruption and fraud, as have his other actions, such as firing inspectors generals throughout the federal government. He has also dismantled the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and paused enforcement of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act.

This snapshot of the first 100 days is but small start at a full picture. Enough for now. Stay tuned.