Gov. Maura Healey chatted on Friday about how the first 120 days of President Donald Trump being in charge are “deeply troubling.” Her main beef is with the budget cuts. In an interview on WGBH’s “Ask the Governor” segment on May 9, Healey didn’t hold back on criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the economy. She thinks they’re doing a terrible job, from slapping tariffs on global partners to slashing funds for important services like the National Institute of Health.
Healey pointed out that the administration seems to be on a mission to weaponize the Department of Justice and the IRS to silence critics and dissenters. And it’s not going over well. The market indexes took a nosedive when the tariffs were announced, and now everyone is running scared. Students, companies, and developers are all looking for greener pastures.
The House recently passed a budget for the fiscal year 2026 with over $61 billion in the pot. That’s a growth rate of over 6%, way higher than last year. The Senate is expected to jump on board, and Healey will sign off on it later this summer. But she’s not optimistic about the future. She feels like every day, Trump is making life harder for Americans and driving up costs.
Healey even thinks that all states are getting a raw deal, not just the ones that don’t see eye to eye with Trump. Schools in traditionally conservative states are bracing for impact. The Big Ten Academic Alliance, which includes schools from Ohio, Indiana, and Nebraska, is even forming a pact to protect each other legally in case the administration comes knocking.
Harvard University is already in a legal battle with the White House over demands to change policies and audit programs. Over $2 billion in grants have been frozen since the standoff. Healey is not happy about it. She feels like research funding getting yanked is a huge blow.
Massachusetts is a hub for international students, with over 78,000 holding visas. But the Trump administration has already revoked 40 student visas, scaring off potential future scholars. Healey wants to keep the state open for learning and innovation, but it’s tough when the feds keep throwing curveballs.
Despite all the chaos, Healey is trying to stay strong and keep the state a welcoming place for students and researchers. She’s also been busy dealing with other issues, like the recent ICE detention of a mother in Worcester. She signed an executive order to support older adults in the state and is working on solutions for the housing crisis.
It’s a tough time in politics, and Healey is feeling the heat. But she’s determined to push through and keep fighting for what she believes in. And who knows what the next 120 days will bring.
