President Donald Trump commemorates the first anniversary of his historic return to the White House on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, but the milestone arrives shrouded in political difficulty and public scepticism.
Poll Reveals Deep Economic Discontent
A stark new survey from the Wall Street Journal paints a troubling picture for the administration. The poll, released to coincide with the anniversary, indicates that half of American voters now believe Trump has made the nation's economic situation worse since his inauguration last January. Only 35 percent perceive any improvement under his leadership, while his overall approval rating remains persistently low.
Foreign Policy Frictions and Domestic Unrest
Beyond the economy, the president faces significant international and domestic challenges. A heated feud with European allies has erupted over Trump's threat to impose steep new tariffs. This pressure tactic is linked to his unwavering determination to acquire Greenland, which he argues is a necessary acquisition for US national security.
Domestically, tensions continue to rage in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The federal deployment of immigration agents, part of Trump's intensified crackdown on undocumented migrants, has sparked sustained mass protests. These demonstrations were further inflamed by the fatal shooting earlier this month of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.
A Norm-Defying First Year Back
Analysts reflect on a tumultuous twelve months defined by confrontational actions. Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, described the period to The Independent as "a sprint toward an autocracy." From gutting federal agencies and freezing funds for Democratic-led states to the widespread deployment of National Guard and ICE agents, Trump's return has been a relentless exercise of executive power.
The president's schedule offers little respite. He is set to depart later today for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where his scheduled remarks on Wednesday will be scrutinised by global leaders and markets alike, seeking clues about the direction of his second year in office.
