Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff says Trump's 'chaos and uncertainty' leading to economic challenges

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said the economic challenge sparked by President Donald Trump's "chaos and uncertainty" is the biggest issue facing the Peach State, stressing that the president's uncertain economic policy is impacting how businesses and residents make decisions for the future.

Ossoff, preparing to run for re-election in 2026, potentially against Georgia's popular Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who has yet to announce if he will join the race. Ossoff is the only Democrat seeking reelection who represents a state that Trump won last year, making him a top target for Republicans hoping to maintain their Senate majority.

"I am more than prepared for any challenger," Ossoff, 38, told The Associated Press on Saturday while declining to comment on any potential opponents.

Ossoff defeated incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue in a runoff in 2021, helping Democrats flip control of the Senate and hold onto the chamber's majority for four years during the Biden administration.

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During his first four years, Ossoff attempted to establish a reputation as a senator working to advance Georgia's traditional interests, including its farmers and military bases. He says he will attempt to work with Republicans to deliver for Georgia.

The senator, who has recently intensified his criticisms of Trump, warned Saturday that businesses and households in Georgia are struggling to plan for the future because of constant changes in the federal government's trade and economic moves.

"Businesses are unable to invest with an understanding of what the rules of international trade will be from one hour or week or month to the next," Ossoff told The Associated Press. "Households are unable to plan their annual budgets because there’s so much chaos and uncertainty in the implementation of federal economic policy."

"This administration needs to clearly define its economic objectives, and it needs to competently implement its plan, whatever that plan may be," he continued. "The fact that the White House does not even know what its policy is, and is with such unpredictability and chaos, lurching from one policy to the other, is putting the state’s economy at serious economic risk."

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Ossoff also expressed concerns about Trump's authoritarian and "un-American" executive action since returning to the White House in January, pointing to the president's attempts to go after his political opponents.

"We have never seen a president try to wield the federal government to crush his critics and political adversaries," Ossoff said. "That’s something new in American history, and it is, in my view, un-American. And it’s something that should chill us to the bone, no matter our politics, no matter our policy preferences."

The lawmaker urged Republicans to remember that eventually a Democrat will be president again and "the shoe will be on the other foot."

"This is about checks and balances," he said. "This is about whether or not the executive branch is constrained as designed by our Constitution, by judicious legislators who can put their partisanship aside to protect the public interest."

Ossoff explained that, while Democrats have limited power without control of the White House or either chamber of Congress, a big part of his job at the moment is to inform the people of Georgia that Trump's policies are not in the state's best interest.

In addition to his criticism of Trump, Ossoff has cited shortcomings during the Biden administration, particularly when it comes to border security. He was one of 12 Democrats who voted for the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student murdered by Venezuelan migrant Jose Antonio Ibarra.

The law requires illegal migrants accused — even without a conviction — of theft or violent crimes to be detained by the Department of Homeland Security.

"My view is that the American people expect and deserve secure borders," Ossoff said. "And I think the Biden administration failed in its border policies. The American people expect and deserve for people who enter this country illegally and may pose a threat to public safety or national security to be apprehended by the authorities."

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"But the American people don’t support and don’t expect federal police raids on elementary schools and hospitals and churches," he continued, referring to the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement actions. "And [the American people] don’t expect our military installations to become mass prison camps for immigrants and don’t want entire families rounded up with no due process. We just learned yesterday about a two-year-old U.S. citizen — a two-year-old girl — who was deported without due process. Our immigration policy needs to be responsible and serious. It also needs to be humane."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

'Too fast' or 'excellent'? Americans grade first 100 days of President Trump's second term

Americans from all over the country graded President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office and the results were mixed.

People from Detroit, Houston, Washington, D.C. and other major U.S. cities weighed in on Trump’s second term so far, with many giving it high marks, others giving it a mediocre score, and some giving it an F. 

"From zero to a hundred? A hundred. Perfect," Ben, a Mississippi man visiting D.C., told Fox News Digital.

On the other hand, Detroit resident Denny gave Trump the worst possible grade, stating, "Can I say F for the frack word? It rhymes with puck." She added, "He's doing a few of the things he said he would do, but he's a ridiculous, egomaniac bully."

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Trump reached the first 100 days of his second term on Tuesday, April 29. During that time, the president focused on stemming the tide of illegal immigration, cutting wasteful and fraudulent government spending, as well as enacting sweeping reciprocal tariffs on foreign countries.

A new Fox News poll on Trump’s first 100 days revealed that the president gets his best grades on the issue of border security, as a 55% majority approves. On immigration, a record high of 47% approve of Trump (48% disapprove), while a new low of 38% approve on the economy (56% disapprove). His worst ratings are on inflation (33% approve, 59% disapprove), followed by tariffs (33%-58%), foreign policy (40%-54%), taxes (38%-53%), and guns (41%-44%).

The Americans who spoke to Fox News Digital about Trump’s first 100 days offered a wide range of grades for the president’s performance. 

"I would say an A," Todd from Knoxville said, adding that he believes Trump needs to continue focusing on bringing more jobs back to the country.

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Detroit native Gilbert said, "I’d give him a C. He’s done some things that I like, and he’s also done some things that I don’t like."

Jay from Houston gave Trump a C, while his friend Mello gave Trump an A, adding, "Make America Great Again!"

Janelle, a Minnesota woman visiting D.C., said, "I would give him an A-minus. I think he's done a lot of the things that he campaigned on. I appreciate that. I think there could be some improvements, but I think he's doing a great job so far."

Her husband, Jeff, agreed. 

"I would say he’s doing pretty good for what we’ve elected him to do, although there are some things that kind of surprise me as I watch the news," he said, noting that Trump’s reciprocal tariffs were unexpected. 

"Predictably disappointing," Lynn from Houston declared, noting that Trump’s management of the country is "a mess."

Ryan, a preacher in D.C., also gave Trump low marks, stating she is "really disgusted that folks elected him for a second term."

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Darlene, a Missouri woman visiting D.C. to protest Trump’s agenda, gave the president’s first 100 days an F. 

"Everything has been too fast, too furious," she said. "Shock and awe is not a way to govern a nation."

Dave in Houston told Fox News Digital he thinks Trump’s team is "doing great." He added, "They just haven’t given them time to go ahead and show what they’re for."

When asked how he’d grade Trump’s first 100 days, Kyle from Knoxville said, "Probably a D until things get more stable."

"I think they’re going along pretty well," Eric from D.C. said. 

A Detroit construction worker named Dan gave Trump a B, saying, "He’s into too much, too quick. Let’s see how we’re going to land."

Ernest in Houston gave Trump a C. 

"I would say about 75 percent," he said. "You know, he’s doing good. I think he’s doing a good job, you know."