Buckle up! The first week of Donald Trump’s return to the White House was a whirlwind, filled with big promises and even bigger actions that left everyone talking. Deportations, firings, pardons, and a cascade of executive orders—Trump wasted no time pushing his agenda into high gear. It was clear: change was coming, and fast.
As soon as he stepped back into power, Trump acted quickly to get things moving. His supporters were cheering, while critics watched in disbelief as he began to make good on campaign promises with a vengeance. From immigration crackdowns to restructuring the federal workforce, Trump’s first few days sent shockwaves across the country.
A Bold Start: Delivering on Campaign Promises
Trump’s rapid-fire approach was a stark reminder of the aggressive style he used during his campaign. His mission was clear—undo what he saw as past mistakes and chart a new course. This was more than just talk; Trump took immediate action:
- Health agencies were ordered to go silent until further notice.
- Key employees in diversity positions were put on leave.
- The deportation machine started up again with planes full of undocumented immigrants heading out of the country.
- Pardons were handed out to January 6th rioters, stirring both support and controversy.
And just like that, the Gulf of Mexico became the Gulf of America—symbolic of Trump’s aggressive stance.
Setting the Stage for a Different Approach
Trump had campaigned on radically overhauling government. His actions during this first week were his way of making it clear that he was serious about making a change. His team, which now included more loyal and trusted allies, was ready to go full throttle. No time was wasted, and everything moved at a breakneck speed.
Mike DuHaime, a GOP consultant, described it as a move faster and more aggressive than in his first term. Trump was showing the country he would test the boundaries of presidential power. And whether it was pardoning the January 6th rioters or trying to end birthright citizenship, he wasted no time in testing the system. The early reactions? A mixed bag, but Trump was determined to keep pushing.
Reworking the Government
One of Trump’s main goals was to reshape the federal workforce. His view? The bureaucracy was bloated, and he aimed to streamline it. Here’s how:
- Federal workers were called back into the office after work-from-home orders.
- Diversity and inclusion offices were shut down, and some employees found themselves on leave with the looming threat of being fired.
- Key officials, especially at agencies like the Justice Department, were reassigned or fired.
Trump’s strategy was simple: get rid of the red tape and make the federal government work for the American people, not against them.
The Border, Culture Wars, and More
It wasn’t just about Washington, D.C. Trump had immigration firmly in his sights, promising deportation flights and pushing for border security. His messaging was blunt: “If you break the law and enter illegally, you will face consequences.”
Beyond the border, Trump also tackled issues that had fired up his base, like the abortion debate and cryptocurrencies. The president signed a memo reinstating the global abortion ban, appealing to anti-abortion activists. He also took steps to promote crypto—something that resonated with his younger supporters.
But it wasn’t just policy; it was also about retribution. Trump took aim at former officials he’d clashed with, revoking security clearances and even firing some from high-ranking positions.
Will It Last?
While the immigration raids and other actions might take time to fully unfold, Trump’s first week proved one thing: he’s not waiting around. He’s making bold moves and showing that his agenda is far from over.
There’s no telling how far these changes will go, but what’s clear is that Trump is ready to keep testing the limits of power—and his team is more than prepared to back him up. The next few weeks (and months) will surely be filled with more twists and turns as Trump moves full speed ahead with his plans.