Donald J. Trump returned to the White House on January 20, 2025, marking the beginning of his second term as the President of the United States. Trump entered the White House with promises to “drain the swamp,” renegotiate trade deals, and put “America fFirst.” These are the 10 most significant events under Trump’s unconventional presidency:
A Cabinet of Loyalists –
One of Trump’s first moves was to overhaul his Cabinet, positioning loyalists and ideological allies in key positions. The new Cabinet has emphasized a return to “America fFirst” principles, with a focus on border security, energy independence, and rolling back what Trump calls “woke bureaucracy.
210 Executive Orders –
In the early weeks, Trump signed a wave of executive orders aimed at dismantling Biden-era policies. These included revoking climate regulations, bringing back the Keystone XL pipeline, and eliminating diversity mandates in federal agencies.
Laken Riley Act –
Named after a college student who was attacked and murdered by an illegal immigrant in March 2025, the law mandates stricter penalties for undocumented immigrants involved in violent crimes and expands federal authority over local policies.
Tariffs –
Trump’s reciprocal tariffs were a trade policy that would match the tariffs other countries place on U.S. goods. The stated goal was to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, but the policy has been criticized for potentially increasing prices on goods, harming American businesses, and leading to retaliatory tariffs from other nations.
Ballot Measures –
Election reform has also been a major focus. Trump has backed legislation requiring nationwide voter ID laws and limiting mail-in ballots. While these efforts have stalled in Congress, they have inspired similar measures in red (Republican-led) states and increased debates over voting rights.
Border Security –
Trump’s second term has seen a renewed focus on the southern border. Wall construction was resumed, National Guard troops were deployed, and the “Remain in Mexico” policy was reinstated. Immigration enforcement is once again a top priority.
TikTok Deal –
Under President Trump’s executive order, TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance and its affiliates will own less than 20% of TikTok, while “certain investors” such as Oracle and its co-founder Larry Ellison will have 80% ownership. This will allow them to who will gain control of the platform’s algorithm while protecting American user data under U.S. oversight. The agreement allows TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. and resolves national security concerns from a 2024 law, though China’s government still needs to sign off on the transaction.
U.S. Military Strikes on Venezuelan Ships –
The Trump administration has conducted airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats off the coast of Venezuela, which it calls self-defense against “narcoterrorism” from drug cartels. The administration has declared an “armed conflict” with these cartels, justifying the strikes as necessary to combat illicit drugs.
Government Shutdown –
At midnight on October 1, 2025, a government shutdown occurred after the Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a continuing resolution. The White House responded by firing thousands of more federal employees.
Ceasefire in Gaza –
Recently, a ceasefire deal organized by Trump went into effect on October 10, 2025, halting two years of war between Israel and Hamas. The agreement includes the release of hostages, increased humanitarian aid, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.
