By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has triggered a surge in consumer prices, widespread protests, and mounting legal and political concerns—all within his first 100 days. A new analysis from Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) reveals that Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign goods have already added $14 billion in costs for U.S. households. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, import taxes soared to $96.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 17 percent from the same period last year. ATF called the tariffs a regressive tax scheme that burdens working—and middle-class families while shielding the wealthy. “These are just the first effects of Trump’s reckless and regressive tariffs—the beginning of higher costs that families will face due to the president’s incompetent trade policies and to fund his tax giveaway to billionaires,” David Kass, ATF’s executive director, said. ATF’s analysis found that the bottom 60 percent of households, which receive about one-fifth of the nation’s income, will shoulder nearly one-third of the tariff burden. Meanwhile, the top 1 percent of income earners—those making more than $940,000—will pay just one-tenth of the cost despite taking in more than one-fifth of national income.

The Yale Budget Lab projects that Trump’s tariff policy will result in an 18 percent effective tax rate on imported goods by the end of 2025—the highest since 1934. Without changes in consumer behavior, the rate could rise to 28 percent, the highest since 1901. More than 200 demonstrators shut down traffic across Washington on Tuesday to protest what organizers called “100 days of disaster.” The protests resulted in eight arrests and widespread disruption throughout the city’s morning commute. “For 100 days, Trump, Musk, and their billionaire friends have stripped away our fundamental freedoms—abducting our neighbors, cracking down on political dissidents, and attempting to erase trans people from existence,” Ella Weber, an organizer, said. Olivia DiNucci of CODEPINK said the administration has “gutted social services, sent billions to Israel, and boosted a trillion-dollar Pentagon budget, while families struggle to survive.”

Rev. Al Sharpton said Trump’s first 100 days “are Project 2025 in motion.” He pointed to executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion, eliminating police accountability efforts, and attacking LGBTQ+ rights. “Trump may have executive orders. He may have the House and the Senate. He may have a conservative Supreme Court that will stand idly by even when he defies their orders. But he does not control our dollars. He cannot stop us from marching,” Sharpton asserted. The Not Above the Law coalition accused the administration of ignoring court rulings, targeting political opponents through the Justice Department, and rewarding allies with sweeping pardons and federal contracts. “We have come too far, heard too many commitments, and proved our case for success to go back now,” Sharpton said.

Stacy M. Brown

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