Let’s Recap Trump’s First Week in Office

Photo Courtesy of Pew Research Institute

President Trump’s campaign motto was “change.” He promised to extend tax cuts, end inflation, continue to allow the states to determine abortion laws, execute mass deportations, end the Department of Education,  make the US the world leader in oil and gas production, support Israel, and end the war in Ukraine. 

In his first week in office, he has kept his promise to make change, but at what expense? And how does it impact the American people?

One topic that was often talked about was his ability to eliminate inflation and better the economy through his tax cuts and tariffs on other countries. He went as far as stating it was his number one issue that would be addressed on the first day. 

It seems as though that has been put aside. Vice President JD Vance, in an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation” replied to concerns by stating, “Prices are going to come down, but it’s going to take a little bit of time, right?”

Although, President Trump has begun to crack down on immigration laws. On the first day, six of the executive orders signed were in relation to limiting immigration by enhanced vetting processes for visa applicants, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, and removing protections under birthright citizenship. 

Critics of immigration restrictions bring up ethical concerns. 

“The Trump administration wants to use this illegal policy to fuel its mass deportation agenda and rip communities apart. Expanding expedited removal would give Trump a cheat code to circumvent due process and the Constitution, and we are again here to fight it,” said Anand Balakrishnan, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project and lead counsel on this case.

On the first day, President Trump also signed executive orders concerning energy sources and rolled back over 100 different environmental protection policies. His objective was to allow the drilling of oil and gas and return to relying on the two as primary sources of energy. 

Concerns for the environment have risen. With climate change on the rise and concerns for the survival of the planet, critics point out these policies could push us to the point of no return. 

The New York Times stated, “All told, the Trump administration’s deregulatory actions were estimated to significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade and lead to thousands of extra deaths from poor air quality each year.”

President Trump attempted to restrict LGBTQ+ and minority rights. In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump stated: “This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based.”

Trump continued, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.” Additionally, that day he signed executive orders to remove transgender people under federal definition and end DEI programs in the federal government. 

This caused massive outrage from the public and other government officials. Multiple organizations and states have joined in lawsuits against these orders stating they are a complete abuse of power and are unconstitutional.