It already feels like he’s been back for months.
Donald Trump has hit the ground running in his second term, moving at a breakneck pace to deliver on campaign promises, consolidate power, and settle old scores.
Following the relatively calm and measured Biden years, the return of a presidency that operates as a relentless barrage of actions and controversies serves as a stark reminder of why millions of Americans see Trump as a transformative, larger-than-life figure—and why millions of others regard him with profound apprehension.
In just two days, Trump has implemented strict immigration crackdowns, announced a flashy $500 billion tech investment, renamed the Gulf of Mexico, dismantled federal diversity policies, floated the sale of TikTok, dismissed officials via social media, hinted at territorial expansion, threatened trade wars, engaged with reporters more frequently than Biden did in months, and even danced with a sword.
He’s also defied norms and laws by pardoning January 6 rioters, perpetuated false claims about the 2020 election, retaliated against critics—such as stripping security protections from a former aide under threat from Iran—criticized a bishop, undermined government ethics, stigmatized transgender individuals, and authorized ICE arrests in schools and churches.
And this is just the beginning.
Trump has achieved initial success, but the true challenges are yet to come.
Trump’s pace is intentional. The sheer volume of activity leaves little room to process the significance of any single event. Trivial matters and transformative policies alike are swept into the whirlwind, with Trump orchestrating the chaos and amplifying it whenever he seeks attention.
To his supporters, this constant motion projects an image of relentless victories and fulfilled promises. Few Americans follow politics full-time, but Trump’s carefully curated narratives filter through social media, talk radio, and local news, reinforcing his political standing. Even when his actions amount to little more than baiting the media or antagonizing Democrats, his base embraces it, seeing him as the disruptor they sent to Washington to confound the establishment.
For his critics, it’s a challenge to decide which controversies deserve the most outrage. Their opposition often feels scattered, while Trump evades accountability amidst the noise. Conservative media, meanwhile, thrives on nightly compilations of liberals reacting to his provocations, energizing his loyal audience.
Most presidencies begin with a surge of activity, typically focused on the first 100 days rather than the first 100 hours. However, Trump’s early efforts have largely centered on optics and executive orders—some already facing legal challenges. Real, enduring change requires legislative victories, a far more complex and uncertain process.
This reality came into sharp relief during his meeting with Republican congressional leaders, where strategies for advancing his agenda remained unsettled. Whether through one sweeping bill or smaller, incremental measures, progress is anything but assured, given the razor-thin GOP majority in the House.
While Trump’s opening days have showcased his penchant for commanding attention and driving his narrative, the challenges of governing—domestic crises, international tests, and legislative hurdles—loom large. The coming weeks will reveal whether his frenetic start can translate into meaningful accomplishments.
More organized this time
The flurry of executive actions signals a more polished and professional operation in the White House compared to the turbulence of Trump’s first term. New White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who brought structure to his campaign while navigating his unpredictable and sometimes self-sabotaging tendencies, may now aim to bring similar order to the West Wing.
This time, Trump appears to have a clearer sense of purpose and strategy. Unlike the uncertain start of his initial presidency, he seems more focused on his goals and how to achieve them. His upbeat demeanor following the adulation of his second inauguration—still resilient despite inevitable political challenges—has likely contributed to this renewed direction.
The hardline push on immigration
On Monday, Donald Trump made a revealing statement during a speech to supporters about last year’s election.
“They all said inflation was the number one issue. I said I disagree. I think people coming into our country from prisons and from mental institutions (is the issue) for the people that I know. And I made it my number one,” Trump said. (It’s worth noting there’s no evidence to support his claims about prisons and institutions, though his political emphasis remains clear.) He continued, “I talked about inflation too. But you know, how many times can you say an apple has doubled in cost? I’d say it, and I’d hit it hard, but then I go back to the fact that we don’t want criminals coming into our country.”
Trump is acting on this belief through a series of aggressive executive actions aimed at laying the groundwork for a large-scale deportation program. He has declared a national emergency, which could involve deploying the military to the border. In a dramatic move on Tuesday, he removed protections for churches and schools from potential ICE arrests. Additionally, he has made it harder for migrants to legally enter the United States by shutting down a border application process.
If one objective of Trump’s policies is to create a climate of fear, it appears to be effective. “ICE officers are back to doing their job,” said the president’s border czar, Tom Homan, in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on Tuesday. He explained how the deportation efforts could expand rapidly if cities refuse to cooperate in tracking fugitive criminals. “We will find him, but when we find him, he may be with others. Others that don’t have a criminal conviction are in the country illegally. They will be arrested too because we’re not going to strike,” Homan added.
Immigration is a crowd-pleasing issue for Trump’s base, but prioritizing it comes with risks. The rising cost of groceries and housing, which he vowed to address during his campaign, remains a pressing concern for many voters, particularly swing voters. While Trump himself doesn’t need to run again, he must keep his coalition intact to avoid significant losses for the GOP in next year’s midterm elections.
Ignoring legal process
One of the major fears among Donald Trump’s opponents was that, if he regained power—particularly after portraying himself as a victim of persecution—he might disregard the rule of law. Those concerns appear to be materializing as Trump exercises his pardon power with sweeping latitude.
The former president staunchly defended his decision to grant clemency to more than 1,000 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots, including some convicted of assaulting police officers. Trump remained unapologetic, deflecting criticism by arguing, “Murderers today are not even charged. You have murderers that aren’t charged all over,” during a press interaction on Tuesday.
He also criticized President Biden for issuing preemptive pardons to family members, claiming it set a dangerous precedent. Many Democrats worry that Trump will exploit this precedent to expand his own authority further. Unlike Biden, however, Trump directly addressed the media to justify his actions.
Later on Tuesday, Trump announced another controversial pardon—this time for Ross William Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace. The Department of Justice had once described Silk Road as “the most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the Internet.” Trump suggested on Truth Social that this pardon was a nod to the Libertarian movement, which supported him in the election.
In just two days back in office, Trump’s aggressive use of the pardon power has amplified concerns that he is operating above the law, signaling that political allies could expect legal leniency in return for their loyalty.
Trump is looking for deals everywhere
One of the most notable developments since Trump’s return has been his repeated public appeals to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine. On Monday, Trump mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was open to talks. When asked on Tuesday if he would impose new sanctions on Putin should he refuse to cooperate, Trump responded, “Sounds likely.” While there’s no assurance that Putin is willing to end the conflict, Trump’s efforts to build leverage come ahead of a potential call between the two leaders.
Trump has also refrained from implementing promised tariffs on China for now, suggesting on Monday that he’s using the threat as leverage ahead of a possible trip to Beijing. On Tuesday, he issued a fresh warning to the European Union, hinting at another potential trade war. Whether this is a genuine threat or a negotiating tactic remains unclear. “They treat us very, very badly. So they’re going to be in for tariffs,” he stated.
Capping off another eventful day in the Trump White House, the president was asked about the possibility of tech billionaire Elon Musk—who already has significant entanglements with the government—buying TikTok, as Trump continues to pressure China to sell the app.
“I would be if he wanted to buy it,” Trump said.