Donald Trump’s first term as president tested the US’s political boundaries, but his second term has demolished them. A month in and his second presidency is already notable for upending US domestic democracy and completely recasting US foreign policy. Some of this was predictable.

Trump had flagged reducing the federal bureaucracy, had indicated a willingness to use tariffs and said he would end the war in Ukraine, if only hinting at his methods. A clue was buried in the second half of his inauguration speech, in which Trump referenced former President William McKinley.

Since Trump was last president, it appears that he has paid some attention to McKinley, who served as president from 1897 until 1901. Under McKinley, the US recovered from economic depression and saw rapid economic growth. McKinley was a protectionist and supported increasing tariffs on imports, which rose to just under 50 per cent after he was first elected.

McKinley also initiated the Spanish-America War, from which the US gained sovereignty over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, as well as a high level of intervention in Cuba. Under McKinley, the US also annexed Hawaii and was active........

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