Donald Trump has indeed released a very aggressive and ambitious first 100 days plan on the early run of his second presidency. He is fearless in his ambition to radically transform America. As he approaches the 100th day in office, he will hold a rally in Michigan to highlight his administration’s progress. His presidency is predicated on three pillars. He’s focused on stopping border crossings, eliminating government programs and cutting the size of the federal workforce. A tangle of legal challenges and lukewarm public reception have made his work more difficult.
As Trump touts his accomplishments, a federal judge in Washington recently blocked parts of his executive order on election policy, highlighting the contentious nature of his administration’s initiatives. His international and national pledges have failed to come to fruition as he had promised, especially on inflation and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Border Security and Workforce Reduction
In his second term, Trump has re-emphasized hardline immigration reform and bilateral governmental austerity. He touts record success in curbing illegal border crossings and vows to keep it on this downward path.
He’s vowed to eviscerate most federal programs. This move—which has drawn significant criticism from local officials and airport managers—goes toward shrinking the size of the federal workforce as part of his overall fiscal gambit. His administration insists that these steps will make government more efficient and enable better management of the state’s budget.
Where it has mattered, Trump’s destructive and aggressive approach has been legally blocked. A federal judge in California granted a similar injunction just last week that prevents the feds from cutting off money to sanctuary cities. This ruling embodies the greater struggle between federal orders and the need for local control.
Economic Policies Under Scrutiny
On that score, Trump’s economic policies have been the subject of intense debate, especially his use of tariffs. Since the day he took office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen almost 10 percent. This sudden and severe drop has drawn outrage from all sides. Indeed, a dozen states have gone so far as to file lawsuits against his broad tariff agenda, contesting its negative effects on their local economies.
In his announcement speech, Trump promised to turn around the inflation “on day one” of his presidency. Let’s be clear, inflation remains a huge concern among most Americans. Year-over-year inflation has done little to relieve the pressure of increases, down only marginally from 3 percent to 2.4 percent.
Gen Z has amassed a substantial amount of voting power. This is a demographic that overwhelmingly disapproves of Trump’s handling of inflation and the overall cost of living. According to recent news surveys, about 70 percent of those Gen Zers are unhappy with his economic agenda.
Foreign Policy Missteps
On the international front, Trump’s claims about the war in Ukraine have confused many. For one, his assertion that Ukraine initiated the war with Russia is simply false. His statement has been a lightning rod for condemnation from political opponents and international observers.
In an effort to exert pressure on Ukraine, Trump has pledged to resolve the conflict quickly, claiming, “That is a war that’s dying to be settled.” He has expressed confidence in resolving the issue before even completing his presidential term: “I will get it settled before I even become president.”
For all these bombastic statements, critics contend that Trump’s foreign policy has been chaotic, confusing and counterproductive. His previous pledges to call off the war on Ukraine have so far produced no verifiable outcomes.
Legal Challenges and Future Prospects
Legal challenges still continue to cast a shadow on Trump’s presidency and his ambitious agenda. A federal judge in New Hampshire did just that recently. Specifically, he told the Department of Education to halt enforcement of anti-DEI initiatives that fit the mold of Trump’s Executive Order 13950. So much more than sticky headlines, these rulings provide hard-fought reminders of the growing checks on executive power.
As Trump prepares for his anti-union, pro-MAGA rally in Michigan, he faces a toxic landscape of public anger and legal entrapment. Don’t be fooled — “Trump 2028” is all over merch purchased from the Trump Organization. That is indicative of his ambition for greater political endeavors down the road despite the current obstacles.