Wow. We’re only one week into Donald Trump’s second presidency, and I’m already tired just writing about it. Some have described Trump’s return as a cyclone. That’s an apt comparison in my view, reminding me of the roller coaster of that name at Coney Island that I was afraid to get on when I was nine years old. Well, like it or not, we’re on it — so hang on, and let’s hope the guard rails are all in place.

Trump’s week #1 has elicited squeals of delight and groans of agony from the political sidelines. Here’s my own take on what we’re seeing:

1.) It’s a neck-snapping shift from still-life photography to high-speed blur. Shortly after the inauguration ceremony, luncheon, and traditional review of the troops, and before attending all three inaugural balls, Trump was back at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, signing and explaining his first round of executive orders and simultaneously fielding questions from a room full of reporters.

He spent much of his first week in meetings with House and Senate leaders, game-planning legislation strategy and simultaneously flogging the Senate confirmation of his cabinet and key staff appointees. At his urging, Majority Leader John Thune kept the Senate at work on nights and the weekend, and Trump’s nominees are being steadily approved.

On Thursday, Trump joined the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, via Zoom call, rocking that convocation back on its heels with a bold statement of his intentions and expectations going forward. In his spare time during those first few days, Trump announced a new business venture to spend hundreds of billions building AI capability. And he found time for a two-hour open-ended interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

On Friday, four days into his presidency, Trump visited hurricane-ravaged western North Carolina and wildfire-ravaged southern California. His visits were not just photo-ops; they were carefully structured to allow him to see the damage firsthand and then meet with victims, first responders, and elected leaders. In California, he chaired a remarkable sit-down meeting with Pacific Palisades state, city, and local officials.

At every Trump step during that hectic week, I found myself unable to imagine former President Joe Biden taking those same steps. It was not that long ago when concerns about Biden’s age and declining vitality became a high-profile election issue. Biden supporters reminded us that Trump is only two years younger than Biden and is also showing signs of decline. Really?

2.) Trump’s plan to mobilize ICE and commence deportation of illegal immigrants jumped into action on his second day in office. So far, it’s been businesslike and effective, focusing on known criminals and netting several hundred of them by week’s end. That’s just a tiny sliver of the Biden-era illegal migrants in the U.S., but based on the rap sheets of those deported, it is a clear step in the right direction with immediate safety benefits to American citizens.

Trump promises to proceed full speed ahead with the deportation program, and there surely will be bumps in the road — but we have no choice but to deal with the risk posed by millions of unvetted migrants in our midst.

3.) In his first week, the new president’s candid and constant communications with the American public has been astonishing. Each day, we’ve seen him respond to wide-ranging questions from the press and media; he seems already to have given them more access than Biden did in four years — all with no script, no notes, no preconditions, no restrictions, just the president of the United States telling people what he’s doing.

4.) Trump’s call for common sense, the key message in his Inaugural Address, is resonating with the public — there’s no telling how far it will go, but it’s a breath of fresh air. Will his executive order confirming that there are two genders trigger the elimination of criminal charges or career-threatening consequences for failure to use preferred pronouns? Can we protect women from unwanted intrusions in their private spaces and from physical danger of competing with biological men in female-only athletic pursuits? More importantly, can we draw the line at “gender-affirming care” that may damage children for life?

Americans are ready to embrace such commonsense adjustments without insulting or discriminating against anyone. Surely, we can live and let live. It shouldn’t be that hard.

5.) Meanwhile, liberal media keep looking for evidence of the fascist dictator, warning us of signs to watch for and seemingly unhappy that they haven’t materialized yet. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but wouldn’t it be helpful — to our whole country — if those who disagree with Trump’s policy at least acknowledge that the Hitler/Nazi/fascist hysteria went a bit too far?

To my eyes, Donald Trump is a man who has been waiting for this moment, believes that he is the antidote to what’s wrong with our country, and is committed to leaving no stone unturned and no moment wasted to make things better.

We’ve known that Trump tends to act on impulse. In the main, his instincts are on target — but shots from the hip are often dangerously off target. In these early days, Trump is moving so fast that some miscalculations are likely.

Hopefully, in this second time around in the presidency, Trump has acquired the maturity (and the scars that go with it) to hold fire and even to take steps back when called for. For example, he recently announced his intent to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization, and he’s said that he may scrap FEMA. He also announced the termination of security protection for several former U.S. officials who have been threatened by Iran.

These are weighty matters, and there are some indications that he may be giving them a second look. I hope so.

Despite misgivings in certain areas, I believe — and I sense that legions of Americans believe as well — that Trump’s high-energy leadership is precisely what our country needs right now. Perfect? Of course not. Healthy? Definitely. Will there be problems ahead, including some of his own making? Count on it.

In any case, this is the course the electorate has chosen — and it is, by the way, the ultimate demonstration that democracy in America is alive and well (and how ironic is that?). The best thing we can do is support our new president and help him help us. The worst thing we could do is mount another Trump resistance. Democrats tried that a few years ago, and look what happened.

Seat belts on, America — the Cyclone is moving down the track!