An Open Letter to President Trump
Dear Mr. President,
I care about our country, and I hope that you are successful in your second term. These are extraordinary times. Your presidency is crucial to the future of America and to the future of the world.
March 13, 2025
President Donald Trump
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
I care about our country, and I hope that you are successful in your second term. These are extraordinary times. Your presidency is crucial to the future of America and to the future of the world. I want to be part of the solution and have come to the conclusion that perhaps I could be most helpful to you by offering advice as an outsider on a monthly basis. After closely following your first 6 weeks in office, here is my advice:
1. Great Government matters.
You are to be commended for being the first President to shake up the U.S. Government since Teddy Roosevelt. However, the problem—viewed from the outside—is that it appears that you are “tearing up” the Government without a real plan.
Let America’s citizens know what you are trying to accomplish. Most would agree with your core assessment that our Government is too large, too slow, spends more than we can afford, and accepts poor performance without question.
Be more specific about your process and the desired outcomes. When a good leader changes an organization, they let stakeholders know (1) the problem, (2) the plan to solve the problem, (3) why it’s the proper course, and (4) what is needed from them. Educate the American people. Challenge the American people.
2. Bring America’s financial situation back from the brink.
We will soon be $37 trillion in debt, with no end in sight. This debt has exploded under the watch of Presidents Bush, Obama, Biden, and even you during your first term. No President has solved this puzzle. But now you can!
I applaud you for doing something different with the DOGE initiative. However, it is my belief that the DOGE effort will not get the job done.
I think that the following process would better set you up for success:
- Explain to the American people our financial situation. We are in trouble. We spend way more than we bring in. We are on the road to bankruptcy, and we need to do something different.
- Set an expectation by telling us, as President, what you are doing to bring the country together to solve this puzzle.
- Lay out your vision and your plan—these are the taxes that need to go up, and this is the spending that needs to be reduced. From all of the research I have done, it is not possible to solve our financial predicament without raising taxes and cutting spending. Level with the American people.
- Change course and give each of your cabinet members a budget number that they need to hit in 2026, 2027, and 2028. No exceptions. Perhaps say “I expect to see your plan in 60 days.” Hold them accountable.
- Address a joint session of Congress and explain to the Congress and to the American people your plan to change our course and bring fiscal sanity back to our country.
- You are a persuasive leader. Get it done!
3. Be the peacemaker, not the bully.
When I was a kid, I always liked to show up early for school and play games on the playground. No matter what grade I was in there was always a bully and a peacemaker. For more than 200 years, the United States has been the peacemaker. We have brought countries together to take on big issues, and we have brought countries together to take on bullies. We have led.
When I see you bullying our closest allies, I am confused. Every business leader I know feels the same way. Why are we putting tariffs on Canada? Why are we threatening the European Union? Why are we embarrassing the leader of Ukraine in front of the cameras? If there are reasons why this is in the best long-term interest of the United States, tell us the facts. Educate us.
If we want to lead the world, we need friends. We cannot do it alone. The world has big problems, and the world needs leadership from the United States. One more thing, perhaps recall the leadership maxim: “Praise in public, reprimand in private.” If we have issues with our friends, work them out behind the scenes.
4. Don’t forget the two biggest issues of the future that will matter most to our children and grandchildren.
- The threat of nuclear war.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has moved the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight. We are closer to a nuclear war than at any time in history, including the Cuban Missile Crisis. Read Annie Jacobsen’s book Nuclear War. It scared the hell out of me, and it will probably scare the hell out of you. There is a great opportunity for the Trump Administration to take the lead and end the global nuclear madness. - The Environment.
I know that you are the “Drill Baby Drill” guy, but the reality is that 97 percent of global scientists believe that carbon emissions are causing climate change and that a warmer Earth is leading to higher sea levels, more hurricanes, and more forest fires. The environmental disasters are costing us a fortune. Some examples—Hurricane Ian in 2022 ravaged Florida, causing $58 billion in damages, and the devastation from the recent wildfires in Los Angeles is estimated at $100 billion. If you look at a 50-year trendline, it just continues to get worse. You could change course and lead the world towards climate sanity.
5. Tell the Truth.
If you don’t tell the truth, people are going to stop believing you, and when you are the most powerful person in the world, that is a problem. As an example, in your joint address to Congress, you said “Mexico and Canada have allowed fentanyl to come into our country at levels never seen before, killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens.” The reality is that less than 1 percent of fentanyl coming into the U.S. is coming from Canada. You consistently seem to misrepresent the truth. In the State Dining Room, above the fireplace, is a quote from John Adams from the first night he occupied the White House. “May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”
Your chances of success and becoming one of the most consequential Presidents in American history could increase dramatically if you take these five pieces of advice. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
John P. Burke