N400 - Should I wait or should I just apply?

[Tellurous 19]

I recently became eligible to apply for naturalization through the 3 year rule. I have had only 1 international trip that is 1 month long during the entire 3 year period. I still have a pending I-751 that was submitted back in Oct 2023. My field office is Tampa, as of now, N400s are supposedly being processed within 8.5 months according to USCIS.
 

I have a 1 week domestic trip planned in March 2025 and a 1 month international trip planned in June 2025. The very risk averse part of me is thinking to just wait until after my international trip in June 2025 before submitting my N400 application, so that I won't have any issues with being out of town when I am needed for biometrics/interview/oath, AND/OR getting my naturalization just in time where I'll need to quickly apply for a US passport before the international trip. However, with the recent election news, part of me now feels like it I should just apply anyway before any possible issues/delays arise as a side effect of the new administration. Am I being too paranoid? Which would be the path of least "resistance" ?

[OldUser 6,487]

How important are those trips? If you were to learn ahead about biometrics appointment, interview or oath interfering with the trip plans, would you consider moving the travel plans?

[Tellurous 19]

I would say fairly important. Non-refundable tickets, among other things.