Utah’s elected officials react to Trump’s second term in office

Photo by Susan Walsh

Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump has signed more than 70 executive orders, implemented the Department of Government Efficiency, enforced increased border control, withdrew from some international organizations and more according to the United States Federal Register.

This fast-paced and controversial period in office saw Trump sign almost double the amount of executive orders in just his first month than former President Joe Biden signed in his first 100 days which was 42, according to The American Presidency Project.

According to a recent poll by Gallup, 45% of Americans approve of Trump’s first month in office.

While this approval rating is higher than the first month of his first term in 2017, it is lower than the first months of all other U.S. presidents since 1953. However, Trump has the highest approval rating of 93% from Republicans since 1953 as well.

Here is where Utah’s elected officials — U.S. Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis and Utah Governor Spencer Cox — stand on how Trump has governed the United States so far during his second term, specifically regarding federal spending cuts, international relations and border control.

Federal funding and the Department of Government Efficiency

Months before his inauguration, Trump promised to cut back on federal spending and establish the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) , according to the Congressional Research Service. He kept his promise the day of his inauguration.

Headed by billionaire Elon Musk, DOGE reported to have cut back on more than $100 billion of government spending. However, the receipts of these cuts have not been completely verified according to their official website. DOGE has also fired thousands of federal employees across various agencies.

Sen. Mike Lee is in favor of cutting government spending. However, he expressed his wishes for more power to go back to Congress rather than to DOGE to achieve this cutback in spending. He has introduced the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would require approval from both chambers of Congress to pass major economic rules.

“Without the REINS Act, Americans will continue to live under the tyranny of unelected bureaucrats who effectively make laws but never have to stand for election,” Lee said in a statement.

Lee said this would restore Congress' constitutional duty to make laws and save Americans from the extra costs of government regulations.

To further aid the nation in cutting back on government spending and inefficiency, Lee and U.S. Representative James Comer introduced a bill to expedite government reorganization by Trump, still requiring Congressional approval to do so.

Sen. John Curtis also believed these cuts are essential. In an official opinion, Curtis recognized this necessity to aid the U.S. in becoming a stronger government and the nation’s $36 trillion debt that is threatening national stability and prosperity. He said Trump’s efforts and DOGE are “something any responsible executive would do.”

However, Curtis said these cuts are best achieved when they are addressed with compassion.

“We also shouldn’t discount or vilify the good people who work diligently for the American people even in the face of poor leadership in bloated bureaucracies,” Curtis said in his statement. “I agree with those concerned that the DOGE approach has appeared reckless and rash.”

In his opinion statement, he said he plans to introduce the Appropriations on Demand Act which would implement a new federal budget only when new circumstances require it.

“As someone who has successfully navigated difficult budget cuts while preserving core services and compassionately dealing with difficult decisions, I can say with confidence: we don’t have to fear spending discipline — we must embrace it,” Curtis said in the opinion. “Done right, it doesn’t weaken an organization — it makes it stronger.”

Utah Governor Spencer Cox voiced his support for DOGE in a statement with 25 other Republican governors across the nation before its official creation.

The United Nations and other foreign relations

President Trump published an executive order on Feb. 4 to withdraw from some organizations within the United Nations and review U.S. relations with all other international organizations. He has also withdrawn from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement.

Lee said he wants to completely withdraw from the United Nations with his newly-introduced Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act.

“Americans' hard-earned dollars have been funneled into initiatives that fly in the face of our values, enabling tyrants, betraying allies, and spreading bigotry,” Lee said in his statement. “If we engage with the UN in the future, it will be on our terms, with the full backing of the Senate.”

The Trump administration sided with Russia as it voted against a resolution within the United Nations regarding an end to the three-year war in Ukraine that would blame Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, according to the United Nations.

However, Curtis spoke out against this vote and proposed a resolution alongside other U.S. senators that would acknowledge Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine.

Lee and Curtis had opposing opinions on Trump’s televised conversation with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28.

Vice President J.D. Vance and President Zelenskyy had the following conversation towards the end of the meeting:

“Mr. President (Zelenskyy), with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance said. “Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president (Trump) for trying to bring it into this conflict.”
 
“Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?” Zelenskyy said.

“I have been to—” Vance said.

“Come once,” Zelenskyy said.

Trump and Zelenskyy had the following conversation shortly after, with each speaker talking over the other:

“You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now,” Trump said. “With us, you start having cards. But right now, you don't.”

“I'm not playing cards,” Zelenskyy said. “I'm very serious, Mr. President.”

“You're playing cards,” Trump said. “You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.”

“I'm the president in a war,” Zelenskyy said.

“You're gambling with World War III,” Trump said.

Zelenskyy said the meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to” and hoped future cooperation with the United States in helping to end the war would be constructive in a post on X.

Lee defended Trump’s and Vance’s comments and called a statement from Zelenskyy one of the “dumbest” in Washington, D.C., in a post on X.

Curtis’ X post following the meeting instead emphasized Ukraine as an ally to the United States and condemned the meeting for its lack of diplomacy.

Last year, Cox met with Zelenskyy to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, exhibiting a peaceful relationship with Utah and the president of Ukraine. Cox noted thousands of Utahns have donated and rallied in support of Ukraine.

“Utah has stood by Ukraine since the very beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion,” Cox said. “By formalizing our relationship with this key region, we commit to working together in this time of war, and we hope that soon, we will be working together in a time of peace.”

ICE and border control

Trump has cracked down on border control, specifically with an increase in arrests by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Lee voiced his support for ICE’s arrests in Salt Lake City, calling it “great work” in a post on X.

The day after Trump’s inauguration, Curtis published an official opinion on Trump’s immigration policies, acknowledging the issues of drug cartels at the southern border with Mexico. He argued those crossing the border with evil intentions must be deported and those who are letting human traffickers and drug dealers control U.S. borders must be held accountable.

However, just as with his opinion on federal spending cuts, Curtis emphasized a need for compassion while still aligning with the rule of law. He said mass deportation may not be the answer to exercising compassion and the rule of law. He proposed that the U.S. secure the southern border and repair the current U.S. immigration system.

“Many good people want to come to our country — some to work, some to live, and some to become citizens,” Curtis said in the opinion. “The failure to connect those who seek opportunity with a fair and functional process is one of the greatest shortcomings of my time in Congress.”

Cox officially supported Trump's immigration policies prior to his inauguration and said Utah will work to deport illegal immigrants who threaten public safety.