President Donald J. Trump, in his second term as U.S. president, has completed six months in office, marked by significant policy initiatives and global engagement. Since taking office on January 20, the Trump administration has operated at a rapid pace, implementing a range of policies and measures. Key tenets of Trump’s first 100 days include imposing harsh tariffs on Chinese imports, starting peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and cracking down on border security with a mass deportation initiative.
Congress sent a $9 billion spending cuts package to Trump’s desk after a late-night House vote. The next chapter of the second Trump administration began with the House of Representatives passing Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ before Memorial Day, sending it to the Senate for negotiations. The Senate approved the legislation and sent it back to the House, which passed the bill before Trump’s self-imposed Fourth of July deadline. The president signed the landmark legislation on July 4, which included tax breaks for individuals and businesses, and new deductions for tips and overtime pay. The Trump administration also focused on the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which proposed cuts to government programs deemed wasteful. Congress passed a rescission package to codify these cuts into law.
Trump’s administration also navigated multiple international challenges, including the U.S. ordering strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which were assessed as destroying critical infrastructure by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Israel, and the United States. The United States has set an August deadline for Iran to agree to a nuclear deal, with the possibility of reimposing UN sanctions if negotiations fail. Domestically, the administration has focused on securing the border, resulting in a record low in border encounters reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Trump also signed a sweeping order to block travel from nearly 20 countries deemed high-risk for terrorism. Internationally, the administration reached a preliminary trade agreement with China, addressing issues like rare earth materials and access to Chinese universities.
Domestically, the Department of Education announced workforce cuts, and the Justice Department released audio of former President Joe Biden’s interview with Robert Hur regarding the investigation into his handling of classified records. Trump has also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to make public any relevant grand jury testimony from the Jeffrey Epstein case. Intelligence officials and political appointees are declassifying records related to the Trump-Russia investigation, also known as ‘Crossfire Hurricane.’ Exclusive reports indicate that former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan are under criminal investigation for their actions tied to the Trump-Russia probe. The Trump administration continues to actively engage on both domestic and international fronts, executing on its campaign promises and addressing a wide array of policy and geopolitical issues.