President Trump has been back in the white house for almost 10 months and Americans remain sharply divided about his presidency. Democrats say Trump is damaging the country and endangering democracy.
But even with low approval ratings, the president maintains sway over most republican elected officials. Trump’s supporters credit him with correcting mistakes made by the previous Biden administration and restoring what they consider traditional values.
Virtually every day brings a new headline-grabbing story involving the president. After tightening the border and imposing high tariffs on imports, Trump’s focus is now on sending national guard troops to more cities governed by democrats. All this takes place amid intense hyper-partisanship, declining confidence in government and the media, a seemingly worsening climate crisis and the latest federal government shutdown. Can elected officials move the country forward with all this happening? And how will America be different after president trump’s latest term?
These are some of the issues discussed during The Public’s Voice, a panel discussion recorded before a live audience at the Providence Athenaeum on October 9, 2025. The panel also talked about the upcoming election year in Rhode Island, and issues facing the state, including the ongoing saga of the Washington bridge.
This event was moderated by Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis.
The panel:
- State Rep. Brian Newberry, R - North Smithfield
- State Rep. Justine Caldwell, D - East Greenwich
- Prof. Adam Myers, Political Science at Providence College
