Shadows of Authority: The Intersection of Business, Politics, and Power

At the recent Group of Seven (G7) summit, President Donald Trump made a striking remark about the United Kingdom’s security, stating, “The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why. That's the ultimate protection.”¹ His comment raised concerns about his transactional approach to foreign relations, with some observers likening his rhetoric to that of an authoritarian leader.

Meanwhile, Trump has taken unprecedented control over U.S. Steel, following Japan’s Nippon Steel’s attempt to acquire the company. The Biden administration had previously blocked the deal due to national security concerns, but Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, negotiated an agreement granting the U.S. president a “golden share”—a preferred stock that gives permanent veto power over key company decisions, including board appointments and production shifts. Trump emphasized the significance of this control, stating, “We have a golden share, which I control, or the president controls. That gives you total control.”²

Trump’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin was evident at the G7 summit, where he echoed Russian narratives blaming Western nations for the war in Ukraine, rather than acknowledging Russia’s aggression.³

Additionally, reports indicate that Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has instructed staff in the Midwest—a region with a history of industrial pollution—to stop enforcing violations against fossil fuel companies.⁴ The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also significantly reduced its environmental division, leaving little oversight on corporate polluters.⁵ Trump has vowed to slash oil and gas regulations, which he claims are burdensome.

The weakening of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement could lead to serious environmental consequences, including worsening air and water quality, heightened climate change effects, and increased health risks.

1. Increased Pollution   With fewer restrictions on fossil fuel companies, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases are expected to rise significantly. This could accelerate climate change and contribute to poor air quality (Marsh and Nilsen 2025).

2. Water Contamination   Industrial sites may discharge more toxic waste into rivers and groundwater due to relaxed regulations, potentially compromising drinking water safety in vulnerable communities (Marsh and Nilsen 2025).

3. Public Health Consequences   Exposure to pollutants like heavy metals and particulate matter has been linked to respiratory diseases, cancer, and other health issues. A reduction in oversight leaves harmful practices unchecked, disproportionately affecting communities near industrial zones (Marsh and Nilsen 2025).

4. Loss of Protected Lands   Policies aimed at deregulation may result in the sale or repurposing of federally protected lands, threatening biodiversity and conservation efforts. This would affect ecosystems and wildlife across multiple states (Siler 2025).

   
   

The long-term consequences will depend on whether state governments and environmental advocacy groups intervene to enforce stricter policies at the regional level. Some states may take independent action, but without federal oversight, environmental protections will likely vary across different jurisdictions.

In legislative developments, a Republican-backed amendment in the budget reconciliation bill proposes the sale of up to 258 million acres of public land over the next five years, expanding beyond the original 3.3 million acres.⁶ The amendment, introduced by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Steve Daines (R-MT), includes Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands across 11 states, raising concerns about environmental and public access implications.

Meanwhile, Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man, has become a key investor in the Trump Organization, contributing to its expansion into international real estate.⁷ Ambani’s Reliance 4IR Realty Development paid a $10 million licensing fee to use the Trump brand for a Mumbai-based project, reflecting a broader trend of foreign investments in Trump’s business empire.

The growing influence of international oligarchs in government affairs recalls a 2011 speech by Robert Mueller, then FBI Director, who warned that organized crime had evolved into a global, fluid network with multibillion-dollar stakes.⁸ Mueller described these entities as capitalists and entrepreneurs, yet master criminals who blur the lines between legal and illicit activities.

On this day, it is notable how political scandals continue to shape governance. The Watergate affair, which led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation, serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in leadership.

Despite Republican lawmakers’ reluctance to challenge Trump, pushback against his administration is growing. The American Bar Association (ABA) has filed a lawsuit against Trump for his attacks on law firms, calling his actions “unprecedented and uniquely dangerous to the rule of law.”⁹

Additionally, U.S. District Judge William Young, an appointee of Republican President Ronald Reagan, ruled that Trump’s cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants were illegal, ordering the restoration of funding. Young condemned the racial and LGBTQ+ discrimination behind the cuts, stating, “I’ve never seen government racial discrimination and prejudice like this.”¹⁰

Footnotes

1. Swanson, A., & Hirsch, L. (2025, June 17). Trump administration secures permanent control over U.S. Steel. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com.

2. Swanson, A., & Hirsch, L. (2025, June 17). Trump administration secures permanent control over U.S. Steel. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com.

3. Brown, E. (2025, June 17). Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani invests in Trump Organization real estate projects. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com.

4. Marsh, R., & Nilsen, E. (2025, June 17). EPA enforcement weakens under Trump, leaving fossil fuel violations unchecked. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com.

5. Marsh, R., & Nilsen, E. (2025, June 17). EPA enforcement weakens under Trump, leaving fossil fuel violations unchecked. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com.

6. Siler, W. (2025, June 17). Republican-led bill pushes for sale of millions of acres of public lands. Wes Siler’s Newsletter. Retrieved from https://www.wessiler.com.

7. Brown, E. (2025, June 17). Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani invests in Trump Organization real estate projects. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com.

8. Mueller, R. (2011, May 26). The evolving nature of organized crime. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov.

9. Geidner, C. (2025, June 17). American Bar Association files lawsuit against Trump over legal attacks. LawDork. Retrieved from https://www.lawdork.com.

10. Young, W. (2025, June 17). Federal ruling on NIH funding and discrimination concerns. U.S. District Court Proceedings.