Today marks the 100th day of Donald Trumps second term, The first 100 Days of an American Presidency is a milestone and measurement of the Presidents performance. Here are some of the significant events that took place in Donald Trumps first 100 Days that will shape the future of America.
(See the resource links for more details)
Donald Trump’s First 100 Days: A Turbulent Return to Power: The Guardian+2Financial Times+2New York Post+2
As President Donald Trump concludes the first 100 days of his second term, his administration has enacted sweeping changes across domestic and foreign policy arenas. From a flurry of executive orders to aggressive immigration enforcement and economic upheavals, these initial months have set a contentious tone for the remainder of his presidency.: New York Post
Executive Orders: A Rapid Restructuring
President Trump has signed 139 executive orders since taking office on January 20, 2025, marking a record-setting pace. It is the largest number of executive orders issued in the 1st 100 days of any American presidency. The second largest number of Executive Orders signed by a president in their first 100 days was President Biden who signed 42.
These orders have targeted various areas, including: Federal Register
- Immigration: Orders aimed at securing borders and designating certain gangs as terrorist organizations: The Times
- Government Efficiency: Establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to streamline federal operations. This led to thousands of firings of government employees, cuts to Veterans benefits, and threatening cuts to Medicare, SNAP (food program) HeadStart (preschool education), and Social Security. Additional cuts to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), NIH (National Institute of Health) seriously impacted responses to the Bird Flu and Measles outbreaks, as well as monitoring of infectious disease: New York Post+3Latest news & breaking headlines+3The Guardian+3
- Foreign Aid: A 90-day pause on foreign development assistance to reevaluate U.S. foreign aid programs. One of the first cuts DOGE made to USAID foreign aid administrator cancelled medicine for HIV children and mothers in Africa, and tons of food export cancellations impacting American farmers: Wikipedia
These actions reflect a concerted effort to realign federal priorities with the administration’s agenda. The barrage of orders have resulted in over 100 federal lawsuits challenging their legitimacy, legality, and constitutional conflicts.
Economic Turbulence: Markets React to Policy Shifts
The administration’s aggressive trade policies have led to significant market volatility. The S&P 500 has declined nearly 8% since January 20, 2025, marking the worst performance for a president’s first 100 days since Gerald Ford’s tenure. The introduction of sweeping tariffs, including a 10% levy on all imported goods and higher rates on specific countries, has disrupted global supply chains and investor confidence. Although many of the tariffs are 10 to 25 percent globally, China’s tariff is 145%. China
S imports account for 80% of Christmas items and 90% of Christmas toys: New York Post+4Financial Times+4Business Insider+4Financial Times+2Reuters+2USA TODAY+2Wikipedia
These economic measures have raised concerns about a potential recession, with some analysts assigning a 60% likelihood of a mild recession within the next year: Reuters+11MarketWatch+11Financial Times+11
Immigration Enforcement: A Hardline Approach
Immigration policy has been a focal point of the administration’s agenda. Key actions include:
- Deportations: Over 139,000 deportations have occurred since January 20, 2025, with a significant increase in arrests of individuals accused or convicted of crimes. The White House
- Border Security: Border apprehensions have sharply declined, with just over 7,000 crossings in March 2025, the lowest in recent history. National Immigration Forum+1NPR+1
- Use of the Alien Enemies Act: The administration has invoked this 18th-century law to expedite deportations, including controversial cases involving individuals with disputed gang affiliations. Al Jazeera+2Wikipedia+2Time+2
These measures have drawn both support and criticism, reflecting the polarizing nature of the administration’s immigration policies.
Foreign Policy: Redefining Alliances and Aid
President Trump’s foreign policy initiatives have included:
- Aid Reevaluation: A temporary halt on foreign development assistance to reassess U.S. aid priorities, sparking global concern and diplomatic responses. Wikipedia
- Military Support: Continued military aid to key allies such as Israel and Egypt, while reevaluating other international commitments.
These actions signal a shift towards a more unilateral approach to foreign relations, emphasizing national interests.
Looking Ahead: Implications for the Future
The first 100 days of President Trump’s second term have been marked by rapid policy changes and significant controversy. The administration’s actions have reshaped the political landscape, with potential long-term effects on domestic governance and international relations. As the administration moves forward, its ability to navigate legal challenges, economic uncertainties, and diplomatic tensions will be critical in determining the trajectory of the United States under President Trump’s leadership.
