'Very bad': Republicans privately express fear as Trump plan execution draws near

 

*Trump Touts "Liberation Day" as New Tariffs Loom, But Allies Fear Economic Fallout*

President Donald Trump has dubbed Wednesday, April 2—the day his sweeping new tariffs are set to take effect—as "Liberation Day." But critics argue there’s little to celebrate in a policy that risks triggering severe inflation, straining U.S. relations with key allies like Canada and Mexico, and potentially pushing the economy toward recession.

While Democrats and Never Trump conservatives have been vocal in their opposition, even some of Trump’s closest allies are privately expressing concerns. According to a March 29 *Politico* report by Rachael Bade, Daniel Desrochers, and Victoria Guida, uncertainty surrounds the president’s plans—leaving his own administration, and even his inner circle, in the dark.

"Just days before Trump’s April 2 deadline—a date he’s framed as a turning point—key figures from Vice President JD Vance to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Cabinet officials remain unsure of his final decision," the report notes, citing three sources familiar with the discussions. Though some details of the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" have begun to surface, Trump has repeatedly shifted course, leaving allies and advisers scrambling to keep up.

One frustrated Trump ally, speaking anonymously, described the tariff rollout as chaotic.

"No one knows what’s going on," the source told *Politico*. "What are they going to tariff? Who are they targeting, and at what rates? The most basic questions still don’t have answers."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has framed the move as a victory, declaring April 2 "a historic day for American workers." But other Republicans, like Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), warn of political consequences if the tariffs backfire.

"If this sparks inflation, drives up interest rates, or tips the economy into recession, it would be disastrous," Kennedy said. "In my judgment, that could turn a four-year Trump presidency into a two-year term if we lose the midterms."

As the deadline approaches, the only certainty is the growing unease—even within Trump’s own camp.