As President Donald Trump nears the end of his first month in his second term, he has swiftly and forcefully taken steps to reshape American social and political norms, alter the economy, and redefine the nation’s global role.
Simultaneously, he has given significant influence to Elon Musk, a billionaire originally from South Africa, allowing him to play a key role in dismissing thousands of federal employees and potentially dismantling entire agencies established by Congress.
These actions have largely overshadowed Trump’s crackdowns on immigration and border security with Mexico, as well as his social policy revisions, which include eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and reversing transgender rights protections.
Additionally, the president has implemented numerous tariffs on U.S. trading partners and has warned of further measures, despite economists cautioning that such moves could lead to increased consumer costs and contribute to inflation.
Mass Firings and Agency Disruptions
In the initial weeks of his presidency, the Trump administration terminated thousands of workers who were still within their probationary periods, a standard practice for new hires. Some employees were given less than an hour to vacate their offices.
Those impacted include professionals in medical research, energy infrastructure, foreign service, the FBI, prosecution, education and agricultural data, overseas aid, and even human resources personnel responsible for overseeing these dismissals.
At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was established following the 2008 financial crisis to safeguard consumers, staff members report that the administration aims to eliminate nearly the entire workforce and erase 12 years of accumulated data. However, a judge has ordered the administration to halt any further action against the agency until March 3.
Trump campaigned on promises to shake up Washington, but his approach could have long-term consequences, not just for thousands of federal employees nationwide but also for the broader economy, potentially increasing the unemployment rate if mass layoffs continue.
Legal Challenges to Trump’s Agenda
From Inauguration Day onward, legal battles have erupted over Trump’s policies. As of now, around 70 lawsuits have been filed across the country challenging his executive orders and his administration’s moves to reduce the size of the federal government.
With little opposition from the Republican-majority Congress, the judiciary has become the primary battleground for resistance. Judges have issued over a dozen rulings that temporarily block elements of Trump’s policies, including an executive order ending automatic U.S. citizenship for those born in the country and granting Musk’s team access to sensitive federal data.
While many of these rulings come from judges appointed by Democratic presidents, some decisions against Trump have also been handed down by judges nominated by Republicans. In response, Trump has suggested he might take action against the judiciary, stating, “Maybe we have to look at the judges.” Meanwhile, his administration has pledged to appeal the rulings, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denouncing the legal setbacks as “an abuse of the rule of law.”
Despite these legal hurdles, the administration has also achieved victories, most notably securing judicial approval for a deferred resignation program led by Musk.
Economic Indicators Show Trouble Ahead
Amid Trump’s policy changes, recent economic data presents a challenge for the White House.
According to the Labor Department, inflation rose by 0.5% in January, with the consumer price index increasing at an annualized rate of 4.5% over the past three months. This suggests inflation is once again accelerating after a period of decline in 2024.
During his campaign, Trump assured voters he could quickly lower inflation. However, White House press secretary Leavitt, while blaming former President Joe Biden, acknowledged that the latest inflation figures were “worse than expected.”
Additional economic concerns arose when the Commerce Department reported a 0.9% drop in retail sales for January. Such a significant decline could indicate weakening consumer confidence and slowing economic growth.
Furthermore, the Federal Reserve’s industrial production report found that manufacturing output fell by 0.1% in January, with a notable 5.2% decline in automobile and parts production.
While these data points may prove temporary, the upcoming economic reports for February will be crucial in determining whether these trends continue.
Trump’s ‘Fair Trade’ Approach Sparks Controversy
After already imposing tariffs on China and preparing new trade restrictions on Canada and Mexico, Trump has introduced what he calls “the big one.” He announced plans to implement additional tariffs in the coming months that will match the rates imposed by other countries.
However, many foreign governments argue that Trump’s approach is not truly fair.
From their perspective, he is factoring in elements such as value-added taxes, which function similarly to sales taxes. This results in considerably higher rates than standard European tariffs.
In addition, Trump has proposed separate tariffs on automobiles, computer chips, and pharmaceuticals, in addition to the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum announced earlier in the week.
It remains unclear whether these trade policies are primarily negotiating tactics or revenue-generating measures. So far, Trump has indicated that they serve both purposes.
Congress Faces Power Struggles, Some Resistance Emerges
Congress has struggled to counter Trump’s rapid actions, as its authority—particularly its constitutional power over federal spending—is being steadily diminished.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, expressed enthusiasm for Musk’s role in the administration, stating that he found their efforts “very exciting” and that Trump was “taking legitimate executive action.”
However, even within the Republican ranks, some lawmakers have begun to push back. While their responses have been limited—mainly letters and phone calls—they are advocating for the protection of their states’ interests as government funding and contracts face cuts.
Republican Representative Carlos Gimenez of Florida, for instance, urged the Department of Homeland Security to avoid mass deportations of Venezuelan migrants residing in the Miami area. “I’m not powerless. I’m a member of Congress,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have joined protesters outside closed federal offices, arguing that Trump and Musk have overstepped their authority. They have introduced legislative measures to safeguard various programs and have even filed articles of impeachment against Trump over his plan to demolish and redevelop parts of Gaza.
A Shift in Global Diplomacy
In a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump signaled his intent to broker a resolution to Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.
Following the conversation, both leaders agreed to have their respective teams “start negotiations immediately.” Trump subsequently called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss bringing both sides to the negotiating table.
This diplomatic move marks a significant development in a war that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries.
However, the road ahead is complex.
Zelenskyy has stated that he will not meet with Putin until Trump formulates a concrete peace plan. Trump, in turn, has faced sharp criticism from European leaders and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for suggesting that Ukraine’s NATO membership is not a viable option.
The White House now faces a strategic dilemma, as Zelenskyy is pressing for security guarantees from the U.S. and other nations. He insists that any agreement outlining the terms of peace be negotiated directly with Trump.
Conclusion
As Trump’s first month back in office concludes, his administration has embarked on a dramatic transformation of federal governance, economic policy, and foreign relations. His sweeping changes have sparked widespread legal challenges, economic concerns, and congressional tensions. Meanwhile, his approach to global diplomacy, particularly regarding Ukraine, has drawn both intrigue and criticism.
With the pace of these changes showing no signs of slowing, the next few months will be critical in determining how Trump’s policies shape the nation and its role on the world stage.