If you were expecting a slow start to 2025, you haven't been paying attention. The first 100 days of President Trump in his second term didn't just move the needle; they basically broke the gauge. It was a whirlwind. Honestly, it was a legislative and executive blitz that makes "fast-paced" sound like an understatement.
By the time the dust settled in April 2025, we were looking at a federal government that looked fundamentally different than it did on New Year’s Day.
Forget the typical honeymoon phase where a new leader slowly finds their desk. Trump arrived with a stack of 143 executive orders signed within that first three-month window. That’s a record. It’s actually more than double what most modern presidents manage in their first year, let alone their first 100 days.
The Day One "Explosion" of Action
January 20, 2025, was less of an inauguration and more of a starting pistol. While people were still debating the weather at the Capitol, the pens were already moving.
Within the first 100 hours, the administration effectively hit the "reset" button on years of policy. They didn't just tweak things. They dismantled them. One of the biggest shocks to the system was the immediate suspension of the CBP One app, which had been a cornerstone of the previous administration’s border processing.
Then came the "DOGE" effect.
You’ve probably heard the name: the Department of Government Efficiency. Led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, this wasn't just a committee. It was a chainsaw. They started with a 90-day hiring freeze across the federal government and a strict "return to office" mandate that ended remote work for nearly all federal employees. The message was pretty clear: the era of the home office in the public sector was over.
📖 Related: Sweden School Shooting 2025: What Really Happened at Campus Risbergska
The Border and the "National Emergency"
The first 100 days of President Trump were defined by immigration. Almost immediately, the President declared a second national emergency at the southern border. This wasn't just for show; it paved the way for the military to assist with logistics and transport for what the administration called the "largest deportation operation in history."
Specific laws like the Laken Riley Act—which Trump signed on March 4, 2025—gave the administration more leverage to detain and deport migrants. By the end of January alone, ICE was reporting nearly 1,000 arrests a day in some windows.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Courts stepped in constantly. In March, a federal judge ordered the administration to stop using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport people without hearings. There were literal "turn the plane around" moments where deportation flights were halted mid-air because of legal injunctions.
Economic Shocks and the Tariff War
Then there were the tariffs. Man, the tariffs.
On February 1, 2025, Trump dropped a 25% tariff on goods coming from Mexico and Canada. He cited the flow of fentanyl as the reason, basically telling America's closest neighbors to "fix the border or pay up."
It worked—kinda.
👉 See also: Will Palestine Ever Be Free: What Most People Get Wrong
Within days, Mexico and Canada promised more enforcement, and Trump "postponed" the tariffs. But then, on April 2, he declared "Liberation Day" in the Rose Garden, implementing reciprocal tariffs on almost everything else. We’re talking 10% to 49% duties on foreign imports.
The stock market didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Consumer confidence took a hit as people worried about the price of everything from iPhones to avocados. By late April, the administration had to "water down" some of these rules, especially for the auto industry, just to keep the supply chains from snapping like a dry twig.
Social Policies and "Biological Truth"
Another massive pillar of these first 100 days was the shift in social policy. The administration moved fast to:
- Ban DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs across all federal agencies.
- Rescind federal guidance on transgender healthcare and sports.
- Declare English as the "symbolic" official language of the U.S.
One executive order, titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism," mandated that sex be defined strictly by biological reality in federal records. This meant transgender women were transferred out of female federal prisons, and activist flags were pulled down from U.S. embassies worldwide.
What Actually Changed for You?
So, what does this mean for the average person?
If you’re a federal worker, your life changed overnight. No more Zoom from your living room. If you’re a business owner, you’re likely dealing with the "10-for-1" deregulation rule, which aims to kill ten old regulations for every new one created.
✨ Don't miss: JD Vance River Raised Controversy: What Really Happened in Ohio
On the healthcare front, there was actually a surprising win for some. The administration struck a deal with 14 major pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients to "Most Favored Nation" levels—basically matching the lower prices seen in Europe.
But it’s a mixed bag. Grocery prices remained stubbornly high through the first 100 days, despite the "Day 1" promises. The USDA even predicted food costs would keep rising because of the labor shortages caused by the deportation pushes and the cost of the new tariffs.
Actionable Insights: Navigating the New Landscape
The first 100 days of President Trump proved that the "norms" of Washington are gone. If you want to keep up, you have to be proactive.
1. Watch the Courts, Not Just the White House
The administration is moving faster than the legal system, but the courts are catching up. Many of the 143 executive orders are currently under "temporary restraining orders." If you're in an industry affected by these rules (like tech or immigration law), don't assume a signed order is a permanent law yet.
2. Prepare for Tariff Volatility
If you import goods or run a retail business, the "reciprocal tariff" era is here. Pricing is going to be a rollercoaster. You might want to look into "tariff relief" applications, which the administration opened up for the auto sector in late April.
3. Audit Your Compliance
With DEI being scrapped at the federal level and new "merit-based" hiring rules for contractors, businesses that do work with the government need to overhaul their HR handbooks. What was mandatory in 2024 might be prohibited in 2025.
4. Track the "DOGE" Reductions
Elon Musk’s efficiency team is looking for "waste." If your business relies on specific federal grants or niche programs, keep an eye on the "rescission" lists. They’ve already frozen billions in funding for things like green energy subsidies and certain education programs.
The first 100 days were a sprint. The next 1,361 days of the term will likely be a marathon at the same breakneck speed.