President Donald Trump has returned to the White House with a sense of urgency, immediately making significant changes in his first few hours. Trump signed a large number of executive orders and actions, fulfilling campaign promises and reversing many policies implemented by former President Biden. He cracked down on immigration, moved towards a trade war with top allies and adversaries, and sparked controversy by pardoning or commuting the sentences of roughly 1,500 supporters involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Despite the backlash, Trump also fired top government officials, made a half-trillion dollar tech investment announcement, and held unscripted news conferences.
Republican strategists have praised Trump’s swift actions, with veteran Republican strategist Kristin Davison stating that Americans voted for decisive leadership and fast action, which Trump is delivering. Longtime Republican consultant Alex Castellanos also commended Trump’s pace of action, calling it a case for rallying American support for a transformation of government. However, Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo criticized Trump’s actions, stating that they negatively impact working families and show a lack of respect for the rule of law. Caiazzo argued that Trump’s policies work to enrich the wealthy and solidify his standing among the oligarchy in the country.
Trump’s fast pace of actions can be attributed to the fact that he is a term-limited and lame-duck president, with much of the political world beginning to focus on the 2026 midterm elections by Labor Day. This frenetic activity is also a departure from Trump’s first term, characterized by logjams and bottlenecks due to disagreements within the administration. The current administration has a more seasoned team that is intensely loyal to Trump, allowing for swift execution of the President’s orders. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who also served as co-campaign manager of Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, is credited for ensuring that Trump is surrounded by competent and loyal individuals who are able to support him effectively.
The actions taken by Trump during the beginning of his second term have raised eyebrows and divided opinions among both Republicans and Democrats. While some see Trump’s actions as necessary and in line with what Americans voted for, others view them as detrimental to working families and a sign of disregard for the rule of law. Trump’s approach to governance this time around appears to be marked by speed and decisiveness, reflecting his understanding of the need to act quickly in his second term as a term-limited president. Despite the controversy and criticism, Trump’s supporters praise his leadership style and the rapid pace at which he is enacting his agenda in his first days back in office.
