Key Changes Made by Donald Trump After Becoming President

  Key Changes Made by Donald Trump After Becoming President

When Donald Trump assumed office as the 45th President, he took charge of a nation at a political crossroads, with a platform that was significantly different from many of his predecessors. His presidency, from January 2017 to January 2021, was marked by sweeping changes in various areas such as domestic policies, economic approaches, foreign relations, and government regulations. Trump’s actions were often bold and controversial, and many of them reshaped the country's political landscape. Below are some of the most notable changes during his presidency.

1. Tax Reform: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

One of Trump’s key legislative achievements was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This major overhaul of the tax code reduced corporate taxes, with the rate dropping from 35% to 21%. The goal was to spur economic growth, create jobs, and encourage businesses to invest more in the U.S. economy.

On the individual side, tax rates were lowered for several income brackets, and the standard deduction was doubled. While supporters argued these changes would boost economic activity, critics pointed out that the benefits were disproportionately tilted toward higher-income earners and that the tax cuts added significantly to the national deficit.

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2. Immigration Policies: A Stronger Focus on Border Control

Trump's immigration policies were among the most divisive aspects of his presidency. On his first day in office, he signed an executive order to enhance border security. One of the most publicized aspects of his approach was the push to build a physical barrier along the southern U.S. border, although the scale of the wall and its financing remained a point of contention.

• Travel Restrictions (2017): Early in his presidency, Trump signed an executive order barring entry to individuals from several predominantly Muslim countries. This was justified as a measure to protect national security but faced significant legal and political challenges.

• DACA: Trump also sought to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected young undocumented immigrants, but the matter became a legal issue that remained unresolved for much of his term.

3. Foreign Policy: A Shift Toward National Interests

Trump's foreign policy was characterized by a focus on America First—an approach that sought to prioritize the U.S.'s own interests and sometimes questioned the value of longstanding international partnerships and agreements.

• Paris Climate Agreement: Trump made the decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, arguing that the deal placed unfair burdens on American businesses and workers.

• Trade Deals: He aimed to renegotiate existing trade deals, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). He also initiated a trade war with China, imposing tariffs on a variety of Chinese goods in an effort to address trade imbalances.

• Iran Nuclear Deal: Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, claiming it was not effective in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and that it had failed to address other areas of concern like Iran’s regional activities.

• North Korea Diplomacy: A key aspect of Trump’s foreign policy was his engagement with North Korea, where he became the first sitting U.S. president to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. While this historic meeting sparked hopes for denuclearization, no concrete agreements were made.

4. Deregulation: Reducing Government Oversight

Trump’s administration pursued a strong deregulatory agenda aimed at reducing government intervention in business. The goal was to promote economic growth by making it easier for businesses to operate.

• Environmental Regulations: The Trump administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including parts of the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.

• Financial Deregulation: Trump moved to scale back parts of the Dodd-Frank Act, which had been enacted after the 2008 financial crisis to regulate financial institutions. These rollbacks were seen as beneficial to smaller banks but raised concerns about long-term financial stability.

• Healthcare: Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, were a major policy focus. While he was unable to fully repeal the ACA, his administration took steps to reduce its scope, including removing the individual mandate that required people to have health insurance.

5. Supreme Court Appointments

Trump’s influence on the judicial system was one of the lasting legacies of his presidency. Over his four years, he appointed three justices to the U.S. Supreme Court:

• Neil Gorsuch (2017): Gorsuch was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by Justice Antonin Scalia.

• Brett Kavanaugh (2018): Kavanaugh was nominated after Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement, sparking a contentious confirmation process.

• Amy Coney Barrett (2020): Barrett was appointed following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, shifting the Court to a more conservative direction.

These appointments reshaped the ideological balance of the Supreme Court, with significant implications for future rulings on issues such as abortion rights, gun control, and religious freedoms.

6. Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic became one of the defining moments of his presidency. The administration faced significant criticism for its early response, with some arguing that it downplayed the severity of the virus and delayed critical public health measures.

However, Trump's administration did implement some key initiatives, such as:

• Operation Warp Speed: A government program designed to accelerate the development of vaccines for COVID-19, which resulted in the rapid production of several vaccines by the end of 2020.

• Economic Stimulus: The CARES Act, passed in March 2020, provided over $2 trillion in economic relief, including direct payments to individuals, extended unemployment benefits, and loans to businesses.

7. Impeachment and Controversies

Trump faced two impeachments during his presidency:

• First Impeachment (2019): Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his actions in Ukraine. The Senate ultimately acquitted him.

• Second Impeachment (2021): Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021, Trump was impeached again, this time on charges of incitement of insurrection. The Senate trial took place after he had left office, but he was acquitted once more.

Trump's presidency was a time of significant political upheaval, with many of his actions and policies deeply polarizing. While his supporters saw him as a champion of conservative values and American interests, critics often viewed his approach as divisive. The lasting effects of his presidency continue to shape political discourse and policy debates across the nation.