Rebooted Article:
Trump's First 100 Days Evaluation: Assessing His Deliveries against Inauguration Day Vows
Signing off from the Capitol for his second inauguration, President Trump delved into his vision of america's future in a speech packed with vows to put America first and restore the nation's grandeur.
"From this very day, America will rise anew," Trump exclaimed in his fiery speech, emphasizing that his administration will set in motion steps to usher in a 'golden age' for the nation. This age will manifest through actions such as bolstering border security, streamlining the federal government, establishing a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and much more.
In a striking display, Trump publicly pledged, "Our sovereignty will be reclaimed, our safety will be restored, and the scales of justice will be rebalanced."
As we delve into the initial 100 days of Trump's second term, we take a look at the progress made on some of his key promises from his inauguration speech.
*our poll: the first 100 days of president trump's second term*
Immigration: diverting the crisis
Addressing the illegal immigration crisis that spiraled during the Biden years was among Trump's foremost campaign focuses, a theme he emphasized repeatedly during his inauguration speech.
"From this instant, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. The illegal entry will forthwith be terminated, and we will commence the process of returning millions of criminal aliens to their native lands," Trump boldly announced on January 20th.
To tackle this issue, Trump outlined a three-pronged approach. He vowed to reinstate his Remain in Mexico policy, end catch-and-release, and deploy troops to the border to repel the advancing tide of border breaches.
Trump has acted on these pledges, with various executive actions enacted in accordance with his promises. Among these actions, he has introduced policies that end catch-and-release, deployed troops to the border, and declared a national emergency, allowing him to reallocate funds from various federal agencies to bolster border security efforts.
Trump's approach appears to be bearing fruit, with the Department of Homeland Security reporting in April that March saw the second consecutive month of record-low daily nationwide apprehensions at the southern border since his inauguration [1]. Deportations have also been underway, with a pronounced focus on deporting illegal immigrants with ties to violent gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13.
A significant development is Trump's invocation of the wartime act, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, to facilitate deportations. This action enables deportation of native and citizen suspects from enemy nations without a hearing, marking a departure from standard legal procedures. The act has been invoked only three times before, most recently during World War II [2].
Strengthening U.S. Government Efficiency: A New DOGE
Trump has long been a vocal critic of government overspending, bureaucratic red tape, and swollen federal agencies. During his inaugural speech, he vowed to restore "competence" in the U.S. government and, as a step towards that goal, he announced the upcoming establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
True to his word, Trump signed an executive order in January, assembling the DOGE, and rebranding the Obama-era United States Digital Service to the United States DOGE Service [3]. DOGE has since been making waves, causing discomfort among Democrats due to its relentless pursuit of wasteful government practices, inefficiencies, and corruption.
DOGE has proven to be a dynamic force, estimated to have saved around $160 billion through the cancellation of government contracts, grants, workforce reductions, asset sales, and other cuts [3]. Under its leadership, the DOGE has also effectively shuttered the Department of Education and the U.S. Agency for International Development due to their perceived mismanagement and corruption [3][4].
Peacemaker and Unifier: The Middle East and Ukraine
Entering office just days after the ceasefires in Israel and Hamas, as well as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Trump sees himself as a peacemaker and unity builder.
"My greatest legacy will be that of a mediator and unifier. I aspire to be a mediator and a unifier," Trump expressed during his inauguration speech. He further added, "In the days preceding my inauguration, the hostages held in the Middle East were being returned to their families."
Despite Trump's optimism, the wars in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine continue to rage, albeit Trump has made efforts to facilitate peace talks. The world is now watching to see if and when progress will be made in these regions.
Education overhaul: removing DEI and fostering national pride
Ahead of his re-election in November, Trump spoke of the need for an overhaul in the U.S. education system. Among his proposed changes was paring down the size and scope of the Department of Education, as well as removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) curricula from public schools.
"We have an education system that teaches students to be ashamed of themselves and, in some cases, to despise their own country," Trump said in his inaugural speech [2].
In line with his campaign promises, Trump signed executive orders in March to dismantle the Department of Education and return oversight power of educational systems to state leaders [4]. He also signed an executive order in January removing federal funding from schools that teach Critical Race Theory and DEI curricula [4].
Furthermore, in an attempt to cultivate national pride among students, Trump signed an executive order in February that prohibits schools and colleges that receive federal funds from allowing males onto women's sports teams and into women's locker rooms [4].
In addition, he signed an executive order expanding school choice in January, giving parents more flexibility in choosing the educational options that best meet their children's needs.
Bolstering the economy: devaluing inflation and reinvigorating manufacturing
A major focus of Trump's agenda is addressing the economy and job creation against the backdrop of rising inflation during the Biden years. He declared in his inaugural speech, "The inflation crisis is the result of enormous overspending and escalating energy prices, and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency."
He further pledged, "America will once again be a manufacturing hub." Trump's administration aims to achieve this by unleashing American energy, such as oil and coal. Thus far, inflation seems to be slowing, with the March annual inflation rate falling to 2.4% from 2.8% in February [1]. Unemployment figures show the labor market adding 151,000 jobs in February and 228,000 jobs in March [1].
Trump and his team are contemplating a potential shift from income tax to tariffs, as the latter could provide significant revenue for the government [7]. However, it remains to be seen whether this proposal will be realized, and what impact it might have on American consumers.
Revising Tariffs and Trade Relations
In his inaugural speech, Trump promised to overhaul the U.S. trade system to protect American workers and families.
On April 2, Trump unveiled his reciprocal, customized tariff plan to be imposed on dozens of nations, aiming to establish balance in U.S. trade deficit [6]. However, the plan was put on hold for 90 days on April 9, with China not exempted from this temporary pause [6]. As a result, China was hit with a 125% tariff, even as negotiations between the two nations continue.
A flurry of bilateral meetings is currently underway as countries vie for more favorable trading terms with the White House. For instance, South Korea's rapid negotiation progress has been singled out for praise by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who expects the two nations to reach an agreement as early as this week [6].
While the tariffs could have an impact on consumer spending, Trump has expressed confidence that the short-term disruptions will lead to long-term prosperity for America.
[1] - U.S. Customs and Border Protection
[2] - Alien Enemies Act
[3] - Trump Administration Aims to Slash 'Wasteful' Contracts
[4] - DOGE Disbands Agencies, Cuts Wasteful Spending
[5] - Trump Administration's Immigration Policies: Facts and Controversies
[6] - Reciprocal Tariff Plan Announced by the Trump Administration
[7] - Trump Suggests Tariffs Could Replace Income Tax
[Enrichment Data Footnote]: The search results reflect a general sense of the specific initiatives taken by the Trump administration regarding immigration and border security during his second term. This includes mass deportations, targeted gang members, and an increased focus on enforcing immigration policies. The search results do not offer comprehensive details about these policies or their overall impact.
- President Trump's second term commenced with a pledge to rebalance the scales of justice, including efforts to reclaim U.S. sovereignty and restore safety.
- In the realm of sports, the Trump administration's policies on immigration have been contentious, with an emphasis on border security and the potential removal of millions of undocumented immigrants.
- In terms of economic policy, Trump's approach has revolved around addressing inflation and revitalizing domestic manufacturing, with plans to potentially shift from income tax to tariffs as a source of government revenue.
- The administration's policy initiatives have also extended to the government sector, with the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at reducing bureaucracy and eradicating wasteful spending.
- In addition to economic matters, the Trump administration has taken a keen interest in foreign affairs, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, with aspirations to foster peace and unity.
- The global economy has been influenced by the Trump administration's tariff policies, with reciprocal tariffs planned for numerous countries in an attempt to correct trade deficits. However, these policies may have implications for consumer spending and have prompted a flurry of bilateral meetings with countries seeking more favorable trading terms.
(These sentences are inspired by the given text, but are not direct quotations from it.)
