Trump’s Second Presidential Tenure: A Groundbreaking Start

Throughout his four-year absence from the political limelight in America, surviving an attempted assassination and the degrading first-of-its-kind criminal investigation by his political rivals, Donald Trump has learned one essential life truth: Time is invaluable. Inspired by the adage ‘Carpe Diem’, Trump has taken charge of the day. Just as a Kentucky Derby racehorse charges out of the starting box, so has Trump’s second tenure as the United States President begun with fervor. The first half of this year, marked by his unrelenting pace, could easily be deemed the most fast-paced six months in contemporary presidential history.

The evidence of time’s relentless march is crucial for any public persona, and Trump is no exception. Throughout his initial term, many components of his governing agenda were hindered or diverted by conditions often outside his personal authority. These interruptions ranged from an unforeseen John McCain vote against the Obamacare repeal, to unruly lower-court judges, insubordinate administrative state players, a controversial special counsel enquiry into Russian election meddling, and the unfortunate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and unparalleled censorship by the Big Tech.

Reflecting on these past experiences and having grown wiser during his prolonged political hibernation, Trump altered his modus operandi, and it is abundantly visible. Presented here is a review of Trump’s work in the administration over the past six months.

In terms of economic progress, Trump scores a commendable B+. There has been an abundance of promising developments in this sector. The stock market has noticeably risen since Trump’s return to office. Substantial sums of revenue have been generated by his tariffs for the Treasury. Confirming his 2017 watershed tax breaks once again, additionally reducing taxes on overtime pay and tips, and successful in major historic trade deals, Trump ensured that inflation remains relatively stable.

Furthermore, corporate giants have pledged significant domestic investments in the American economy. However, lingering high inflation, coupled with uneven execution of the tariff plan and the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ raises concern, all of which have only contributed to further deepening America’s debt issue, even though the bill is generally positive in nature.

As for local policies, the Trump administration receives an A. His broader domestic schemes have seen tremendous success, especially from a conservative viewpoint. The long-awaited combat against the higher education establishment has already started to yield perceptible dividends. Trump has made notable strides both through judicial victories and vital executive orders to restrict the administrative state and uphold executive power where it truly belongs- in the President’s hands.

Likewise, in immigration policy, Trump receives an A+. Living up to his promise on this key political issue, Trump has overseen one of the most successful border security and mass deportation operations in American history, resulting in the significant decline to record lows of illegal border crossings and ‘gotaways’. And there appears to be no indication of this slowing down anytime soon.

In the realm of legal matters, the Trump administration has earned an A-. Lower-court judges’ attempts to stifle the administrative agenda with absurd ‘nationwide injunctions’ are expected to be checked by Trump’s recent Supreme Court triumph in the CASA case. Although appointments to the judiciary have been slower this term, those appointed to federal courts so far have invariably been stellar.

As for foreign policy, the administration has a solid A. Opposing Biden’s regime of appeasing global foes while punishing allies, Trump has returned to a policy that suits him better – supporting allies and penalizing adversaries. Last month’s brief interference in the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict achieved the long-desired objective of significantly crippling Iran’s nuclear program, without even a single American casualty or troop deployment.

In Europe, NATO countries have committed to expanding their defense budgets, thereby relieving the United States to primarily focus on its primary adversary – Communist China. Successful in pacifying the conflicts between India and Pakistan as well as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Trump’s governance shows promise.

Though a peace deal with Russia and Ukraine remains evasive, Trump has displayed admirable flexibility in modifying his tactics as circumstances evolve. There is undoubtedly an immense volume of work yet to be tackled.

No one understands this better than Trump himself, as he would likely be the first to admit there is much work to be done. However, Trump’s second term in office has had an impressive and robust start, setting an unprecedented rapid tempo.

The proverbial phrase, ‘Seize the day’, has become an intrinsic characteristic of the Trump administration’s strategy, evident in the strong and swift developments that have occurred thus far.