Donald Trump’s Second Term: Policies, Power, and Public Response.

🏛️ From Comeback to Second Term

Historic victory: Donald Trump was re‑elected in November 2024, becoming the 47th U.S. President in a stunning political comeback, securing at least 279 Electoral College votes and a narrow lead in the popular vote over VP Kamala Harris
Second inauguration: He officially took office on January 20, 2025, in a special indoor ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda, marking the first second, nonconsecutive presidential inauguration since Grover Cleveland

Executive action record: In his first 100 days, President Trump signed over 217 executive orders, surpassing FDR’s record
Tariffs & trade: He re‑introduced and expanded tariffs, including 25% duties on Mexican and Canadian goods and increased tariffs on Chinese imports, drawing criticism for potentially boosting household costs by $3,400–$4,200 annually

Firing of BLS chief: In early 2025, Trump dismissed Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after a revised jobs report showed unexpectedly low employment growth. Critics—including former officials—warned this undermines credibility and echoes authoritarian interference .
Federal Reserve shake-up: Appointments for new leadership—including potential picks like Kevin Hassett or Scott Bessent—signal Trump’s intent to reshape monetary policy and press the Fed to lower interest rates

WHO withdrawal: On day one in office, Trump initiated U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization, again citing biases and financial contributions he deemed unfair
Global flashpoints: Trump repositioned U.S. nuclear submarines amid tensions with Russia and urged diplomatic resolutions in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He also emphasized a peace-through-strength message involving India and Pakistan and took credit for earlier U.S. intervention encouraging a ceasefire

Oval Office showdown: In a high-profile May 2025 Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump made provocative claims regarding land reform and violence against farmers—sparking international backlash over his tone and accuracy

Rose Garden overhaul: Trump redesigned the White House’s iconic Rose Garden, replacing grass with stone surfaces inspired by Mar‑a‑Lago for practicality. A planned $200 million ballroom is set to be added by late 2025
Youth fitness revival: With corporate partners and sports icons like Bryson DeChambeau and Triple H, Trump relaunched the Presidential Fitness Test—first established in the 1960s—as part of a youth health initiative

Style under scrutiny: A recent profile in The New Yorker examines Trump’s leadership ethic—rooted in fear-driven tactics, aggressive dominance, and a legacy shaped by attorney Roy Cohn. The article argues that his methods increasingly centralize power, stifling dissent within his administration