The first 100 days of the current Trump administration has been a whirlwind of both winning and chaos.
Trump signed executive orders on day one to declare a border emergency, reinstate “Remain in Mexico,” and expand deportation efforts. The Laken Riley Act, signed January 29, 2025, mandated detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft or assaulting police.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a 90% decline in encounters by February 2025, and March 2025 saw the lowest monthly encounters in recorded history. Over 20,000 undocumented migrants were arrested in February alone, with ICE arrests up 627% compared to Biden’s era.
Trump issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, eliminating federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, claiming they violated civil rights laws. Another order banned transgender athletes from women’s sports, leveraging Title IX to threaten federal funding for non-compliant schools. Executive Order 14168 rejected “gender ideology,” defining only two sexes in federal policy.
Trump implemented a 10-to-1 de-regulatory initiative, requiring agencies to eliminate 10 rules for each new one proposed, building on his first term’s 5.5-to-1 ratio.
The Council of Economic Advisers reported 228,000 jobs created in March 2025, with unemployment for veterans dropping from 4.2% to 3.8%.
Prescription drug prices fell over 2%, and gasoline prices dropped 7% per the Consumer Price Index.
Trump issued a blanket pardon for approximately 1,500 January 6 Capitol riot defendants on his first day, plus 39 additional pardons including Ross Ulbricht.
He reinstated service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, restoring ranks and back pay. Orders also banned transgender troops from military service and ended vaccine mandates.
DOGE delivered on Trump’s promise to audit federal spending, identifying tangible examples of waste, like the limestone mine and foreign-focused grants. Its $160 billion savings claim, while contested, showed ambition, and its alignment with GAO’s High Risk List gave it credibility. The rapid pace canceling of 500,000 government credit cards and 1,000 contracts demonstrated action, fulfilling a campaign pledge to “drain the swamp.”
On the downside, over 200 lawsuits were filed against Trump’s executive actions by April 2025, with courts blocking key policies. A federal judge halted deportations under the Alien Enemies Act for due process violations, and another ruled the firing of 25,000 federal workers illegal, forcing reinstatements.
Yet the current GOP-controlled Congress has failed to ratify DOGE cuts. Congress has sent fewer bills to President Trump to sign into law than any Congress in 70 years, and 26 Senate Republicans just voted down a bill to codify DOGE foreign aid spending cuts.
Trump’s successes in his first 100 days of his second term centered on delivering campaign promises like border security, DEI rollbacks, and tariffs, earning praise from his base for speed and decisiveness. The first 100 days were polarizing, with 143 executive orders marking a frenetic pace but very limited legislative progress, setting the stage for ongoing battles.