In the first month of his second term, President Trump has reshaped American politics, economics, and social mores at a dizzying pace, all the while reimagining America’s place in the globe.
Simultaneously, he has granted unelected South African-born billionaire Elon Musk the authority to assist in the forced dismissal of thousands of government employees and, in some cases, to dissolve whole agencies established by Congress.
Trump has attempted to reshape social policy by eradicating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and reversing transgender rights, but these initiatives have taken a second seat to his attacks on immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Despite experts’ warnings that this will drive inflation and increase prices for American consumers, the president has levied and threatened to impose dozens of additional tariffs on U.S. trading partners.
The initial four weeks are presented here:
Sequestration begins at the federal level
Many employees were let go by the Trump administration while they were still on the standard probationary term. A few were given less than a half an hour to vacate their workplaces.
Experts in medical research, energy infrastructure, diplomatic service, the FBI, prosecution, educational and agricultural data, international charity workers, and human resources (who would normally handle the layoffs) are among those who might lose their employment.
The government allegedly intends to eliminate all data pertaining to the previous twelve years and lay off virtually the entire personnel of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was established to safeguard the public following the 2008 financial crisis. A judge ordered the government to stop dismantling the agency until March 3, and they complied.
Trump campaigned on a platform of transforming Washington, but his actions may have far-reaching consequences for thousands of government employees nationwide and accelerate the pace of unemployment in the event of mass layoffs.
New legal obstacles emerge
Lawsuits challenging Trump’s executive orders have been moving at a breakneck speed since January 20, the day of his inauguration. About 70 lawsuits throughout the country are contesting the president’s executive orders and efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.
The judicial system is the epicenter of resistance since the Republican-controlled Congress is not putting up much of a fight. From an executive order to cease the practice of automatically extending U.S. citizenship to everyone born in the country to granting access to sensitive federal data to Musk’s team, judges have issued over a dozen rulings temporarily halting various components of Trump’s plan.
Trump has also received adverse verdicts from judges appointed by Republican presidents, even though a number of those judges were nominated by Democratic presidents. With the words “Maybe we have to look at the judges,” Trump hinted that he would take aim at the judicial branch. While the president’s plan was being slowed down by the orders, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized them, calling each one “an abuse of the rule of law.” Meanwhile, the administration has announced that it will appeal.
The administration has also achieved several victories, the most notable of which was when a judge granted permission for Musk’s postponed resignation scheme to proceed.
Worsening economic conditions
The most recent economic statistics may cause some concern in the White House among the policy turmoil.
The Labor Department reported that inflation increased at a pace of 0.5% each month in January. After cooling for most of 2024, inflation is heating up again, as seen by the consumer price index’s 4.5% annual growth during the previous three months.
Trump promised his supporters that he could reduce inflation as soon as he took office. Leavitt said that the most recent inflation figures were “worse than expected,” but he still blamed Trump’s Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
The Commerce Department’s announcement that retail sales fell 0.9% month-over-month in January was another red flag. If consumer confidence and economic growth were to decline by that much, it would be a major indicator.
In January, factory output fell 0.1%, according to the Federal Reserve’s report on industrial production. The decline was driven mostly by a 5.2% decline in the production of motor vehicles and components.
The monthly numbers in February will be crucial, as these might all be temporary fluctuations.
What Trump calls “fair trade” isn’t always equitable.
What Trump referred to as the “big one” was implemented after tariffs were already imposed on China and import levies were prepared for Canada and Mexico. He promised that new tariffs will be prepared by his government in the next few weeks or months to bring them in line with international standards.
Few other countries see Trump’s stance as reasonable.
Value added taxes, which are similar to sales taxes, are included in his list of non-tariff goods, according to their perspective. As a result, the charges could be substantially higher than the average European tariff.
In addition to the 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel that Trump announced on Monday, he intends to impose additional tariffs on automobiles, computer chips, and medicines separately.
Whether Trump is using these trade sanctions as bargaining chips or as a means to increase tax revenue is unclear. He has implied thus far that they are same.
The Congress sees its power dwindle. However, there is evidence of resistance.
As the first branch of government with unparalleled influence over federal expenditures, Congress is being undermined in real time and finds itself confused by the assault on its institutional power.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed his enthusiasm for Musk’s team’s efforts, calling it “very exciting.” That Trump is “taking legitimate executive action” was Johnson’s exact words.
A new global order is what Trump seeks.
Trump is optimistic that his phone discussion with Putin last week marked the beginning of the end of Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
Having reached an agreement, the leaders instructed their teams to “start negotiations immediately.” Trump contacted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine after ending his talk with Putin to suggest returning to negotiations.
In a conflict that has killed or maimed hundreds of thousands, Putin’s call is a huge step forward.
However, moving forward is still not an easy task.
Until Trump has a peace plan in place, Zelenskyy has stated that he will not meet with Putin. European officials blasted Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for implying that Ukraine would not be joining NATO, which led to Trump receiving criticism.
Another conundrum for the White House: Zelenskyy wants the United States and other nations to ensure Ukraine’s security, but he also insists that he and Trump agree on the details of any peace settlement.