It is early 2026, and the political oxygen in America is, frankly, pretty thin. If you’ve been trying to keep track of what has trump been doing lately, you’re not alone in feeling a bit dizzy. We aren't just talking about tweets or rallies anymore. We’re talking about actual, boots-on-the-ground military operations and massive shifts in how your local school lunch is put together.
He’s nearly a year into his second term. Honestly, it’s been a whirlwind that makes 2016 look like a quiet Sunday afternoon. Between the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and a very public obsession with whole milk, the "America First" agenda isn't a slogan—it's a literal daily to-do list being checked off with a sharpie.
The Venezuela "Extraction" and the New Energy Map
On January 3, 2026, the world woke up to a photo that looked like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. Trump posted an image of Nicolás Maduro, blindfolded and in handcuffs, on the deck of the USS Iwo Jima. It was called "Operation Absolute Resolve."
Think about that for a second. A sitting U.S. President green-lit a massive joint military raid into the heart of Caracas to snatch a foreign leader. Now, Trump is basically saying the U.S. will "run" Venezuela until things settle down. Why? It's the oil. He’s already hosted executives from the biggest oil companies at the White House, telling them Venezuela is "open for business." He’s betting that seizing control of these reserves will drive your gas prices down even further.
Some people are calling it a bold move for energy independence. Others, like the critics at the ACLU or international observers, are terrified of the precedent. It’s "Peace Through Strength," but with a lot more "Strength" than we've seen in decades.
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What Has Trump Been Doing for Your Wallet?
Away from the high-stakes drama of South American invasions, there’s a massive domestic push centered on "affordability." It’s sort of his 2026 midterm strategy. He knows the GOP might struggle in November, so he’s trying to front-run the "cost of living" conversation.
- Credit Card Caps: He recently took to Truth Social to demand that credit card companies cap interest rates at 10%. He’s calling the current 20-30% rates a "rip-off."
- The Milk Bill: On January 14, he signed the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act." Alongside RFK Jr. and Ben Carson, he made it a point to say that full-fat dairy is back in school cafeterias. It’s part of that "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) push you’ve been hearing about.
- Housing Reform: There’s a plan in the works to stop private equity firms from buying up single-family homes. He’s expected to drop the full details during his speech in Davos.
It’s an odd mix of populist economics and traditional conservative deregulation. He’s also been pushing "Warrior Dividends"—bonuses for military members—while his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tries to slash federal spending.
The Insurrection Act and the Minnesota Tension
Things aren't all "milk and honey," though. There’s a lot of friction in the Midwest right now. After a federal immigration operation in Minnesota led to the death of a mother named Renee Nicole Good, protests erupted.
Trump’s response? He’s threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act.
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He’s calling the protesters "insurrectionists" and suggesting he’ll send in the military if state officials don't "quell" the unrest. It’s a tense standoff. The Supreme Court already blocked him from sending troops into Chicago late last year, so we’re looking at a massive constitutional game of chicken. You’ve got federal agents (ICE and Border Patrol) being moved into Minneapolis while local leaders are basically telling the White House to back off. It’s messy.
The 2026 Midterm Jitters
"We shouldn't even have an election."
That’s what he told Reuters just a few days ago. Naturally, it set the internet on fire. He was venting about the "psychological thing" where the President's party usually loses the midterms. While he doesn't actually have the power to cancel the November elections, the rhetoric is a clear sign of how high the stakes are for his administration.
If he loses the House or Senate, his "One Big Beautiful Bill" (H.R. 1), which made his tax cuts permanent, could face serious challenges. He’s obsessed with "disciplined messaging" right now, telling Republicans to stop bickering and focus on crime and drug prices.
Actionable Insights for the Current Landscape
If you’re trying to navigate this era, here’s what you actually need to watch:
- Monitor Your Interest Rates: If the White House actually finds a way to squeeze credit card companies, you might see changes in your monthly statements. Don't bank on it yet—he hasn't explained the "how"—but keep an eye on your bank's fine print.
- Energy Stocks: With Venezuela’s oil infrastructure being "rebuilt" by U.S. firms, the energy sector is in for a massive period of volatility and potential growth.
- Local School Policies: The whole milk bill is law now. If you have kids in public school, expect to see those "red-capped" cartons back in the lunchroom soon.
- The Davos Speech: Watch for the housing announcement. If he actually moves to limit private equity in the housing market, it could significantly shift the inventory for first-time homebuyers.
Whether you love the "bull in a china shop" approach or it keeps you up at night, there's no denying that what has trump been doing in 2026 is fundamentally reshaping the executive office. He isn't just playing the hits; he's rewriting the entire script on the fly.