Trump’s second term reveals limits of presidential power as global leaders resist and legal battles mount in Washington.

Trump’s Strongman Image Faces Harsh Realities

President Donald Trump’s return to the global stage may look impressive — red carpets, military salutes, and lavish receptions in the Persian Gulf — but behind the optics, his ability to exert actual influence is facing growing challenges.

From stalled legislative efforts at home to geopolitical resistance abroad, Trump’s second term is increasingly defined by a key question: How powerful is the president — really?

Global Pushback: World Leaders Are Not Bowing Down

While Trump continues to wield broad executive power on foreign policy, some of his boldest international plays are falling flat. In a major setback, Chinese President Xi Jinping forced the White House to soften its aggressive tariff strategy, slashing planned 145% duties to 30% after economic pain began hitting U.S. markets.

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney won office on an explicitly anti-Trump platform. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, snubbed a U.S.-led peace initiative in Turkey — showing open defiance despite Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to attend.

Despite these rebukes, Trump clings to the idea that diplomacy driven by his personal influence will break stalemates. “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” he said from Air Force One — yet so far, that approach hasn’t yielded results.

Presidential Power Feels Stronger at Home — For Now

Back home, Trump appears more in control. He’s launched executive actions against adversaries, undermined institutions, and targeted top law firms and academic institutions like Harvard. High-profile tech leaders still appear wary of opposing him publicly, recalling the symbolic unity displayed at his inaugural events.

Yet, reality continues to intrude. Trump’s aggressive tariffs have drawn warnings from major corporations. Walmart recently cautioned that rising duties will push up consumer prices, undercutting the administration’s economic message. Amazon even considered detailing the cost of tariffs on its platform — prompting accusations of political hostility from the White House.

Clashing With the Courts and Stretching Legal Boundaries

The limits of Trump’s authority are most visible in the courts. Legal challenges have stalled efforts to slash federal agencies and dismantle government programs, with judges stepping in after damage has already been done.

The dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development is one such example. Even if Trump ultimately loses in court, the humanitarian cost is already unfolding.

Adding to constitutional tensions, the White House has hinted at a drastic move: suspending habeas corpus — a legal safeguard against unlawful detention. Critics say this would mark a grave overreach, intended to intimidate the judiciary rather than preserve national security.

Congress Remains a Critical Test of Trump’s Power

Even with a compliant Republican base, Trump faces resistance in turning his ambitious legislative agenda into reality. His latest proposal — featuring deep tax cuts, increased defense spending, and rollbacks to welfare programs — may pass the House, but its fate in the Senate is far from certain.

The bill risks backlash from the very voters who brought Trump back to power, especially with proposed cuts to Medicaid and food assistance.

For now, Trump’s hold over Republican lawmakers remains strong — but how long that lasts, especially amid economic uncertainty and global instability, is a question that could shape the rest of his presidency.

The Limits of a Strongman Presidency

Trump’s second term is rapidly revealing the boundaries of executive power. While his image remains potent among supporters and within his party, foreign leaders and legal institutions are increasingly testing — and in some cases, successfully resisting — his authority.

The coming months will determine whether Trump’s blend of charisma, force, and political leverage is enough to reshape the world and his country, or whether the reality of governance will once again rein him in.

Leaked report reveals high attrition rates and training delays plaguing Canada’s military, as recruits leave and retention efforts collapse.

New Recruits Are Leaving Fast — And the Military Knows Why

A newly leaked internal report has revealed a growing crisis inside Canada’s Armed Forces. Despite efforts to boost recruitment, an alarming number of new enlistees are quitting — many before they even finish training. The document, obtained by CBC News, paints a picture of an institution struggling not just to attract personnel, but to retain them.

In the 2023–24 fiscal year, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) saw an attrition rate of 9.4% among newly enrolled members — more than double the average across the broader Forces. The primary reasons? Delayed training, underemployment, and difficulty adjusting to military life.

A Training Logjam Leaves Recruits in Limbo

One of the most damning findings in the report is the extended wait time for recruits to begin training — sometimes more than 200 days. Specialized trades are particularly affected, due to shortages of instructors, equipment, and facilities.

“These delays significantly frustrate new members,” the report noted, “who often face months of underemployment after joining.”

Charlotte Duval-Lantoine of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute called out the military’s piecemeal approach to the crisis. “You can’t just fix recruitment, then worry about training,” she said. “If morale drops early, people don’t stay.”

Retention Efforts Defunded Amid Budget Cuts

The situation has been compounded by the defunding of the military’s Retention Program Office — a department tasked with identifying why personnel leave and how to keep them. The office, launched with a 90-page strategy under former defence chief Gen. Wayne Eyre, has quietly lost funding.

The Department of National Defence (DND) has not confirmed if this decision was tied to the Trudeau government’s internal budget cuts, which mandated $810 million in savings from DND in 2024, and even steeper cuts in 2025 and beyond.

Analysts say this is yet another example of broken follow-through. “Personnel policy is being defended in a so-called ‘reconstitution era,’” Duval-Lantoine said. “But the military is clearly not putting its money where its mouth is.”

Low Morale, Disillusionment, and ‘Culture Wars’

Exit interviews reviewed in the report long operational hours, insufficient leadership, and a lack of basic resources like equipment and training. But a surprising source of frustration? Perceived leadership priorities.

Many recruits and serving members believe senior commanders are too focused on cultural reform — including gender and diversity initiatives — at the expense of operational readiness. “There is a perception that leadership is prioritizing culture change over ammunition and equipment,” the evaluation states.

The report also highlights a systemic failure to retain experienced personnel nearing retirement. Many feel “tired and broken” after multiple relocations and deployments, and little is done to encourage them to stay.

A Glimmer of Hope: The Naval Experience Program

One notable success is the Naval Experience Program (NEP) — a pilot initiative allowing new recruits to “test drive” military life through a one-year term with the Royal Canadian Navy. The program has helped reduce early exits by offering flexibility, including transfers to other branches.

“Early data shows this initiative has had positive effects,” the report said, suggesting it may be a model for future reform across the Forces.

Where Does the Military Go From Here?

Top brass, including Gen. Jeanie Carignan and Lt.-Gen. Lise Bourgon, have acknowledged the problems. Carignan stressed that “there’s no point in recruiting if you’re not retaining,” while Bourgon highlighted partnerships with colleges to address training bottlenecks.

Yet without significant policy shifts, funding commitments, and a clear strategy to keep trained personnel engaged, Canada’s military may continue to hemorrhage its newest members.

The Forces are currently facing a shortfall of up to 14,000 qualified personnel — a figure that could grow if real changes aren’t made soon.

PM Mark Carney’s new cabinet tackles trade tensions, affordability, and energy disputes as it sets out a bold national agenda.

A Cabinet with Urgency: Carney’s Team Faces Immediate Pressures

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly assembled cabinet held its first meeting on Parliament Hill this Wednesday, kicking off what is expected to be a challenging chapter in Canada’s political landscape. With mounting pressure on multiple fronts — from trade issues with the U.S. to internal discontent in the West — the government wasted no time getting to work.

Carney acknowledged the weight of responsibility, pointing to three top priorities: an escalating trade dispute with the United States, nationwide cost-of-living concerns, and unrest in Alberta over energy policy and regional equity.

Tackling Affordability: A Middle-Class Tax Cut on the Table

To immediately address financial pressures on Canadian families, Carney announced that Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has been instructed to draft legislation for a new middle-class tax cut. The initiative is expected to save dual-income households up to $825 annually.

“We’re acting on affordability as we look to build up this economy,” Carney said, signing a public-facing decision note — a symbolic gesture that echoed U.S. presidential executive orders.

Champagne confirmed the tax cut bill will be introduced soon after Parliament resumes, with more economic measures to be detailed in the upcoming speech from the throne. However, a full federal budget won’t arrive until the fall.

EV Strategy Falters Amid Investment Pullback

Canada’s electric vehicle ambitions took a hit this week after Honda announced it would pause a multi-billion-dollar investment in Canadian EV manufacturing. The decision follows similar slowdowns across the sector, with declining consumer demand and new U.S. tariffs complicating the landscape.

Newly appointed Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, previously Foreign Affairs Minister, vowed to advocate for Canadian autoworkers. “We’ll make sure we’re in solution mode,” she said ahead of talks with Honda executives.

Western Frustration Deepens Over Energy Policy

One of the most sensitive issues facing the new cabinet is ongoing discontent in Alberta. Premier Danielle Smith has called for a “reset” in federal-provincial relations, signaling openness to holding referendums — potentially including one on Alberta sovereignty.

Tensions have risen over Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin’s past opposition to oil sands expansion, and comments from former environment minister Steven Guilbeault, now Minister of Canadian Culture, who downplayed the need for new pipelines.

Despite his portfolio change, Guilbeault’s remarks about underutilized infrastructure sparked backlash. Premier Smith called the statements misleading and damaging, noting that the Trans Mountain pipeline is operating near capacity.

Alberta Calls for Real Pipeline Progress

Energy sector advocates, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, continue to push for a new pipeline spanning central and eastern Canada. They argue such a project would boost national energy independence and create new export opportunities.

In response, new Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, who has experience on the board of MEG Energy, signaled his intention to visit Western Canada soon. “We’re ready to work with industry to build a more secure, prosperous Canada,” he said.

Securing Trade Ties: Canada-U.S. Relations Front and Centre

A separate committee — the “Secure and Sovereign Canada” group — has been formed to manage the increasingly complex U.S.-Canada trade relationship. Defence Minister David McGuinty will chair the committee, with Carney himself taking a personal role in steering this critical file.

Notably absent from the committee is Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, who recently faced personal attacks from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Still, Freeland remains focused on eliminating Canada’s domestic trade barriers by Canada Day — a move the IMF says could boost GDP by 4%.

Charting a Path Forward

As exports to the U.S. continue to decline amid tariff tensions, Canada’s new cabinet is juggling the urgent need to diversify trade, reinforce domestic unity, and revive a faltering economy. With Minister Maninder Sidhu tasked with expanding international trade partnerships, and Carney pledging to bridge East-West divides, the months ahead will test the government’s ability to deliver results under pressure.

Pierre Poilievre exits Parliament but stays at Stornoway as Conservatives weigh leadership and logistics during a key political transition.

Following his defeat in the Carleton riding, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has closed both his constituency and Parliament Hill offices. Yet, despite no longer being a Member of Parliament — a status he has held for two decades — Poilievre continues to reside at Stornoway, the official residence for Canada’s Leader of the Opposition.

The move comes amid a brief leadership transition. Conservative MP Andrew Scheer has been named interim Leader of the Opposition for the spring session, as only a sitting MP can legally hold the title.

Leadership Role Shifts, But Residence Stays

While Scheer will assume parliamentary leadership duties, he confirmed that Poilievre and his family will remain at Stornoway during this transition.

“Mr. Poilievre hopes to return to the House in a few months. Relocating his family now, only to move them back shortly, would incur unnecessary taxpayer expense,” said Scheer.

He clarified that he has no intention of occupying Stornoway himself.

Party Discretion Governs Residency at Stornoway

Although parliamentary rules require MPs who lose elections to vacate their offices within 21 days, occupancy at Stornoway is not regulated by law. According to the Privy Council Office, it’s up to the Conservative Party to decide who stays at the official residence.

The issue has sparked debate over whether Poilievre, no longer serving as an MP, should remain in the taxpayer-funded home. Scheer addressed the concerns by noting the short-term nature of the transition and emphasizing fiscal prudence.

Cost Considerations Behind the Decision

Past expenses shed light on the rationale. In 2022, it cost the federal government nearly $20,000 to prepare Stornoway for interim leader Candice Bergen’s short stay. Maintaining the property during the 2023–24 fiscal year cost more than $78,000, covering utilities, property management, and grounds upkeep.

While specific figures for moving Poilievre’s family in and out have not been released, the National Capital Commission has been asked to provide estimates.

Next Steps: Return to the House via Alberta Riding

Conservative MP Damien Kurek has offered to vacate his safe Alberta seat of Battle River–Crowfoot to pave the way for Poilievre’s return. However, bureaucratic timelines delay the process. Kurek’s resignation cannot be formalized until 30 days after his election results are published in the Canada Gazette.

Even then, organizing a federal byelection comes at a cost. According to Elections Canada, the average expense for a byelection between 2021 and 2024 was $1.7 million, although costs vary depending on the district and campaign duration.

Conclusion: A Pause, Not a Permanent Exit

While Poilievre has stepped out of Parliament, the Conservative Party appears to be holding his place — and his residence — in trust. With the expectation of a swift byelection and return to the House, the decision reflects both logistical efficiency and political calculation.