Since assuming office in January 2017, former President Donald Trump pursued an aggressive agenda centered on tightening immigration enforcement, overhauling federal institutions, and leveraging executive power in ways that sparked intense debate. His tenure was marked by sweeping policy shifts, confrontations with legal and political norms, and a flurry of controversial pardons that critics argue prioritized loyalty over accountability. Here’s a breakdown of Trump’s most consequential actions during his presidency.
**1. Crackdown on Illegal Immigration**
Trump’s hardline stance on immigration was a cornerstone of his 2016 campaign, encapsulated in his promise to build a “big, beautiful wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border. Upon taking office, he moved swiftly to implement policies aimed at restricting both legal and illegal immigration.
**A. Travel Ban and Border Security**
One of Trump’s first acts was signing **Executive Order 13769** in January 2017, which barred entry to citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen). Widely labeled a “Muslim ban,” the order faced immediate legal challenges, with courts ruling it discriminatory. The administration revised the policy multiple times, eventually securing Supreme Court approval in 2018 for a narrower version targeting eight countries.
Simultaneously, Trump prioritized expanding border security. He declared a national emergency in 2019 to redirect federal funds toward constructing a border wall after Congress refused to allocate the full $5.7 billion he requested. While approximately 450 miles of barriers were built or reinforced, much of it replaced existing structures rather than creating new ones.
**B. Family Separation and “Zero Tolerance” Policy**
In 2018, the administration implemented a **“zero tolerance” policy** mandating criminal prosecution for all adults crossing the border illegally. This led to the separation of over 5,500 children from their parents, sparking global condemnation. Amid bipartisan backlash, Trump signed an executive order halting family separations in June 2018, though reunification efforts remained fraught for years.
**C. Restricting Asylum and “Remain in Mexico”**
Trump sought to limit asylum claims through policies like the **Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)**, which forced over 70,000 asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed in U.S. courts. Critics argued this exposed vulnerable migrants to dangerous conditions. The administration also enacted agreements with Central American nations to require asylum applicants to seek refuge in third countries first.
**D. Ending DACA and Legal Immigration Curbs**
In 2017, Trump announced plans to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Federal courts blocked the move, leaving DACA in limbo. His administration also slashed refugee admissions to historic lows, proposed merit-based immigration reforms, and suspended visas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
**2. Reshaping the Federal Government**
Trump’s vision of a leaner, more business-friendly bureaucracy drove efforts to deregulate industries, slash taxes, and realign federal agencies.
**A. Deregulation Push**
The administration rolled back hundreds of Obama-era regulations, particularly targeting environmental protections. Key actions included withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, weakening the Clean Water Act, and easing emissions standards for vehicles and power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) saw a 31% budget cut proposal in 2020, though Congress approved smaller reductions.
**B. Tax Cuts and Economic Policies**
The **Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017**, Trump’s signature legislative achievement, reduced corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and temporarily lowered individual rates. While proponents credited it with boosting economic growth, critics highlighted its disproportionate benefits for wealthy Americans and a projected $1.9 trillion increase to the federal deficit.
**C. Judiciary Reshaping**
Trump appointed **234 federal judges**, including three Supreme Court justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett), cementing a conservative majority. His judicial picks, often vetted by the Federalist Society, were praised by Republicans for their originalist leanings but criticized by Democrats for potentially rolling back abortion rights and LGBTQ protections.
**D. Federal Workforce and Agency Overhauls**
Trump signed an executive order in 2020 creating **“Schedule F,”** a classification that would strip job protections from tens of thousands of federal employees, enabling their dismissal for political reasons. Though revoked by President Biden, the move signaled a broader effort to politicize the civil service.
The administration also relocated key agencies, including moving the Bureau of Land Management from Washington, D.C., to Colorado—a shift critics called an attempt to undermine federal oversight of public lands.
**3. Controversial Pardons and Clemency Actions**
Trump’s use of presidential pardon power drew scrutiny for favoring allies, political figures, and individuals convicted of high-profile crimes.
**A. Pardoning Allies and Political Figures**
- **Joe Arpaio**: In 2017, Trump pardoned the former Arizona sheriff convicted of criminal contempt for defying a court order to stop racially profiling Latinos.
- **Roger Stone**: Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime advisor in 2020, who was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering during the Russia investigation.
- **Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn**: In his final weeks, Trump pardoned his former campaign chairman (convicted of tax fraud and conspiracy) and his first national security advisor (who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI).
**B. Military Pardons**
Trump intervened in several cases involving U.S. military personnel accused of war crimes, including pardoning Army Lt. Clint Lorance and Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who were charged with murdering civilians and detainees. Supporters called it a defense of soldiers; critics argued it undermined military justice.
**C. Clemency for High-Profile Offenses**
In December 2020, Trump granted clemency to **14 individuals** in a scandal involving bribes for political favors, including former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. He also pardoned **Rapper Kodak Black** and **Death Row Records co-founder Michael Harris**, citing support from criminal justice reform advocates.
Critics accused Trump of using pardons to reward loyalty, shield associates from accountability, and signal disdain for federal investigations into his administration.
**4. Long-Term Implications**
Trump’s policies left a profound imprint on U.S. governance and politics:
- **Immigration**: His border policies reshaped the national conversation, with Biden struggling to reverse measures like “Remain in Mexico” amid record migrant crossings.
- **Judiciary**: The conservative-leaning courts will influence rulings on abortion, voting rights, and executive power for decades.
- **Executive Power**: Trump’s willingness to bypass Congress via executive orders and test ethical boundaries expanded presidential authority, setting precedents future leaders may exploit.
**Conclusion**
Donald Trump’s presidency was defined by disruption. His immigration crackdowns, deregulatory zeal, and contentious pardons thrilled his base while galvanizing opponents. Whether viewed as a fulfillment of populist promises or an assault on democratic norms, his actions underscored the potency—and perils—of unfettered executive power. As legal battles over his policies continue and his political influence endures, the Trump era remains a pivotal chapter in American history.
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