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Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, his administration has moved at breakneck speed to reshape the federal government and assert American power abroad. Backed by a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump has aggressively pursued his 2024 campaign promises.
As he reaches his 100th day in office on Tuesday, the imprint of Trump’s leadership is undeniable — but whether his changes will be long-lasting remains unclear.
Many of Trump’s executive actions are groundwork rather than completed transformations. On his first day, he declared an energy emergency to boost production, although he cautioned voters that noticeable results like cheaper utility bills won’t arrive until 2026.
At times, Trump’s promises conflict. He pledged to lower living costs but also imposed sweeping tariffs that economists warn could drive prices higher. Several initiatives face lawsuits that could eventually unravel his efforts.
Here’s a look at his progress across key areas:
Inflation and Debt
Trump has claimed victory over inflation, pointing to a drop from 9.1% in 2022 to 2.4% in March 2025. “We already solved inflation,” he boasted. However, the Federal Reserve cautions that Trump’s broad tariffs on imports could reverse those gains.
Meanwhile, his pledge to eliminate the national debt appears far-fetched. Trump’s proposed tax cuts would slash revenue, and he made similar promises in 2016 — only for the debt to soar.
Immigration Enforcement
One area of clear progress: illegal border crossings have plummeted. From nearly 250,000 crossings in December 2023, the number dropped to just over 7,000 in March 2025. However, concerns remain over due process, as deportations, including some of innocent individuals like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, have surged.
Energy Costs
Trump campaigned on promises to cut energy bills by half or more within 18 months. So far, results are pending. He hedged at times during the campaign, but often presented it as a firm promise: “Under my plan, we will cut energy and electricity prices in half.”
Tariffs and Trade
Fulfilling another core pledge, Trump unleashed massive tariffs on foreign goods, particularly from China, where rates have climbed as high as 145%. While popular with his base, the tariffs triggered market volatility, and analysts warn of rising consumer costs.
Russia-Ukraine War
Trump vowed during the campaign to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in one day” after taking office. That day has not arrived. Despite campaign rhetoric, the conflict grinds on with no clear resolution from Washington.
Tax Cuts
Trump’s ambitious tax proposals — including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security — remain stalled. Thin Republican majorities in Congress complicate passage of what Trump calls a “big, beautiful bill.”
Higher Education and Cultural Shifts
Trump’s crackdown on elite universities, particularly Harvard, reflects his campaign promises to combat antisemitism and roll back DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) programs. His administration froze over $2 billion in grants and contracts and threatened Harvard’s ability to admit foreign students.
Beyond education, Trump issued executive orders banning federal DEI initiatives and launched a controversial purge of historical materials deemed politically sensitive. An attempt to delete images, such as the Enola Gay bomber and tributes to minority war heroes, largely failed after public backlash.
Transgender Policies
Delivering on campaign promises, Trump signed orders banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. He is also pressing the Supreme Court to uphold a ban on transgender troops in the military.
Government Overhaul via DOGE
In partnership with Elon Musk, Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk and his allies moved quickly to slash bureaucracy, but promised savings have fallen short. Originally aiming for $1 trillion in cuts, DOGE has so far adjusted its target to $150 billion — a figure that remains aspirational.
Pardons for January 6th Rioters
Trump followed through on a controversial pledge to pardon those prosecuted for the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Roughly 1,500 individuals received pardons, including some who had violently attacked police officers.
Environmental Rollbacks
Trump targeted environmental regulations, revoking what he called a Biden-era “electric vehicle mandate” (though no binding rule existed). He is also trying to strip California’s ability to mandate electric car sales, though Congressional action is still required.
Conclusion
Trump’s first 100 days back in office have been marked by aggressive moves across nearly every sector of American life. While he has delivered on many symbolic and executive promises, significant challenges, lawsuits, and political hurdles stand in the way of full implementation.
