About 42 percent of Americans approve of President Trump’s performance in office, a historic low for a president in the early months of his term.

Just 43 percent approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, which had been his strong suit; 44 percent believe he “understands the problems facing people like you;” 55 percent oppose his tariff policies; 54 percent believe he is “exceeding the powers available to him.” A whopping 66 percent chose the word “chaotic” to describe his policies.

Poll numbers in the first 100 days are almost always as good as a president gets during his term, so it won’t be easy to turn things around.

That said, Trump can gain some ground with several initiatives that are almost certain to be popular across the political spectrum. Even his progressive critics should support actions they deem worthwhile in their own right.

First, Trump should induce Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has become a distraction and a political liability, to resign. When he was nominated, the former Fox News host was widely viewed as unqualified to lead the Pentagon. He was accused of excessive drinking, infidelity, sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement of two small veterans’ organizations. Just two in 10 Americans supported his confirmation.

During his brief tenure as secretary, Hegseth has shared highly sensitive details about impending U.S. airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen on unsecure devices with, among others, his wife, brother and personal lawyer, and issued angry non-denial denials. The Pentagon inspector general is reviewing his handling of this material.

A couple of weeks ago, John Ullyot, a staunch Trump loyalist, resigned as chief spokesman of the Pentagon and

© The Hill