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Trump’s First 100 Days

April 29, 2025
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April 29, 2025, 09:00 AM PST

(PenniesToSave.com) – President Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in office have brought sweeping changes across America’s political, economic, and cultural landscape. His administration has acted swiftly to secure the southern border, revive domestic manufacturing, curb government waste, reset America’s role in the Ukraine conflict, and dismantle DEI initiatives in federal institutions. Supporters see these bold moves as critical steps toward restoring American strength and sovereignty, while critics argue they risk isolation and internal division. Understanding what has been done, why it was prioritized, and the early effects provides crucial insight into the new direction the nation is heading.

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How has Trump overhauled immigration enforcement and border security?

In one of the most immediate actions of his second term, President Trump moved aggressively to reestablish control over the U.S.-Mexico border. Construction crews resumed work on physical border barriers that had been stalled since 2021, completing over 200 new miles of fencing within weeks. Alongside infrastructure efforts, Trump’s Department of Homeland Security expanded the “Remain in Mexico” policy, forcing asylum seekers to wait outside the United States while their claims were processed. New guidelines broadened the categories for expedited deportations, allowing immigration officers to remove individuals with minimal judicial oversight if they lacked proper documentation.

Trump’s administration also deployed nearly 5,000 National Guard troops to key border regions to assist federal agencies in deterring illegal crossings. Interior enforcement increased, targeting not only newly arrived migrants but also undocumented immigrants already residing in the country who had prior legal infractions. Sanctuary cities faced funding cuts unless they complied with new federal cooperation mandates.

The administration framed these policies as essential to restoring national sovereignty and ensuring public safety. Many Americans, particularly in border states like Texas and Arizona, expressed strong approval. Critics countered that the policies created humanitarian crises at detention centers and placed undue strain on legal asylum processes. Nevertheless, early data suggests illegal border crossings have declined by over 30 percent compared to the same period the year prior.

What economic policies and tariffs has Trump introduced to boost American industry?

Revitalizing American industry has been another cornerstone of Trump’s early agenda. His administration wasted no time reintroducing tariffs on a wide range of imports, particularly targeting Chinese goods, steel, aluminum, and electric vehicle batteries. Trump has argued that unfair foreign competition has hollowed out America’s industrial base for decades, and that a hard reset was necessary to rebuild domestic capacity.

Beyond tariffs, Trump introduced significant tax credits for companies that relocate manufacturing plants to U.S. soil. In a notable win, several major corporations, including automakers and semiconductor firms, announced new factories in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Texas. Simultaneously, companies that move production offshore are now subject to penalties, including increased taxes and exclusion from federal contracts.

Trade agreements such as USMCA have been revisited with even tighter domestic content requirements, further incentivizing American-made goods. Trump’s economic advisors highlight early signs of success: manufacturing job postings have surged, factory orders are climbing, and investment in critical industries is rebounding.

However, economists remain split. Some warn that the higher cost of goods due to tariffs could fuel inflation, impacting American consumers. Others argue that a short-term price increase is a necessary trade-off to restore long-term industrial self-sufficiency. For many American workers, particularly in the manufacturing sector, Trump’s policies offer renewed hope after years of economic stagnation.

What is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and why was it created?

In a bold stroke aimed at shrinking the size of government, President Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within weeks of taking office. The agency’s mission is simple yet ambitious: root out waste, streamline services, and eliminate redundancy across the federal bureaucracy.

DOGE has already completed preliminary audits of multiple agencies, identifying hundreds of programs slated for consolidation or closure. Early actions included merging overlapping regulatory bodies, automating basic administrative functions, and cutting layers of middle management. Perhaps most controversially, DOGE introduced new federal employment rules making it easier to dismiss underperforming workers, a move heralded by conservatives as a long-overdue reform and condemned by labor unions as an attack on worker protections.

The creation of DOGE reflects Trump’s broader philosophy that government should operate more like a business, maximizing efficiency and delivering measurable results. Supporters argue that reducing bureaucratic bloat will lead to major taxpayer savings and improved responsiveness. Critics warn that slashing programs too quickly could undermine essential services, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Nonetheless, early public polling shows that a majority of Americans support the idea of a leaner, more accountable federal government. DOGE’s long-term effectiveness will likely become a key litmus test for Trump’s broader promise to “drain the swamp.”

What steps has Trump taken regarding the War in Ukraine?

Trump’s approach to the ongoing War in Ukraine has been among the most controversial aspects of his first 100 days. Breaking sharply from previous administrations, Trump froze a new round of military aid destined for Kyiv and called for immediate ceasefire negotiations with Russia. He emphasized that America’s priority must be defending its own borders, not policing foreign conflicts.

Trump dispatched envoys to NATO capitals to press European allies to assume a greater burden of support for Ukraine. Behind closed doors, officials report that Trump warned that failure to negotiate an end to the war could lead to decreased American support long-term. His critics argue that the United States is abandoning an ally and emboldening authoritarian aggression. Supporters counter that endless military funding drains American resources and risks entangling the nation in another long, costly war.

Polls show that while Americans remain sympathetic to Ukraine, there is growing public fatigue with the cost and length of the conflict. Trump’s pivot towards diplomacy reflects his broader America First worldview, even if it introduces new uncertainty into global geopolitics.

How has Trump addressed DEI programs in government and schools?

Another major early action by Trump has been his rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government and public institutions. Through a series of executive orders, Trump banned mandatory DEI training for federal employees and contractors, defunded DEI-focused initiatives within education grants, and instructed agencies to adopt hiring and admissions practices centered solely on merit.

Trump argues that DEI programs promote division, lower standards, and perpetuate a culture of grievance rather than excellence. Supporters view this rollback as a long-overdue course correction to restore fairness and equality under the law. Several states aligned with the Trump administration have already moved to mirror these actions at the state level, repealing DEI requirements in public universities and government offices.

Critics warn that removing DEI frameworks could exacerbate discrimination and reverse gains made in promoting diversity across professions and education. Legal challenges to Trump’s executive orders are already winding through the courts, setting up what may become a major constitutional debate.

Regardless of political perspective, the move represents a seismic shift in the cultural priorities of the federal government, signaling that Trump’s administration intends to push back hard against what it views as leftist ideology embedded in public institutions.

What early results are Americans seeing from these policies?

Trump’s first 100 days have produced visible, tangible changes across the American landscape. Border crossings have fallen significantly, down over 30 percent according to the latest Customs and Border Protection reports. Manufacturing indexes show a modest but notable increase, as corporations announce new investments within the U.S. heartland.

Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency is already reshaping the structure of Washington by consolidating offices and cutting bureaucratic layers. Trump’s recalibration of American involvement in Ukraine has shifted global diplomatic dynamics, prompting NATO countries to reconsider their defense contributions. The rollback of DEI initiatives has energized conservatives while sparking fierce debate across educational and governmental sectors.

The economy remains a mixed bag. Inflation remains stubborn, but job creation in targeted sectors is rising. Consumer confidence is improving slightly but remains cautious amid fears of potential trade retaliation and foreign policy instability.

For many average Americans, Trump’s bold and immediate actions are a refreshing change of pace, delivering on campaign promises to prioritize American interests first. Whether these early gains will translate into lasting prosperity or new challenges remains the defining question as his second term unfolds.

Final Thoughts

President Trump’s first 100 days have made it clear that he is determined to reshape America in a bold, uncompromising fashion. His administration’s focus on strong borders, economic independence, government reform, diplomatic recalibration, and cultural reset represents a comprehensive attempt to realign national priorities. Supporters hail the return to core American values, while critics brace for backlash at home and abroad. The true impact of Trump’s second term will be judged over time, but his early moves have already set America on a dramatically different path.

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