Donald J. Trump began his second, nonconsecutive term as the President of the United States 50 days ago on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trump’s inauguration cast a shadow over the day for many with new Immigration policies, DEI rollbacks and the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). New executive orders and tariffs have been announced almost daily, so here are some of the biggest events to happen during these first 50 tumultuous days.
Trump signed 26 executive orders on his first day in office, nearly all of which concerned immigration, crime and the restructuring of practically all levels of the federal government. One of the most controversial changes came with the Trump administration’s disbandment of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which helped millions of underrepresented Americans receive fair treatment at work and in the classroom. Consequently, a multitude of these orders have negatively affected many of the United States’ very own communities that it has sworn to protect, including people of color, children, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ members.
Trump’s first day also included the pardoning of more than 1,500 people who participated in the January 6 riots on our nation’s capital in early 2021, which many have dubbed a modern insurrection. Countless receivers of these presidential pardons committed violent crimes, including those convicted of harming Capital Police officers tasked with protecting the United States Congress.
Even the Department of Education has been under fire following the introduction of the current administration. The Department of Education oversees federal educational funding, ensuring equal access to education for all students and implementing crucial research on teaching. The department’s most important function for many Lake Land College students is the handling of federal loans, grants and work-study programs. For example, The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is handled by the Department of Education.
Egg prices have also skyrocketed under the Trump administration, reaching an astounding all time high of $8 for wholesale shoppers, and a cost just shy of $5 for the average consumer. This development is in direct opposition to the President’s claim during his campaign that he would lower grocery prices for consumers on day 1, with a major focus of his being the price of eggs.
The first month and a half of Trump’s presidency has managed to shift the world’s geopolitical climate as well. Trump has expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, claiming that the United States will acquire the region “one way or the other.” The same can be said for Canada, with Trump, and more recently the administration’s Press Secretary, claiming that Canada will become America’s 51st state.
Additionally, a heated and highly disputed meeting between Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump and Vice President JD Vance over the future of the war between Ukraine and Russia has put alliances between Ukraine and the United States into question.
Trump announced a 25% increase on tariffs on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico. The White House has also announced an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Currently, the suggested tariffs on Canada and Mexico have yet to go into effect as they have been delayed twice, with a new date set for April 2nd. Even still, Trump’s proposed tariffs have rocked the stock market, causing shares to plummet to dangerous levels.
With all of this in mind, the first 50 days of Trump’s presidency have irrevocably changed the course of the United States of America moving forward, within the country and beyond its borders.
Other events during the last 50 days:
- Trump has claimed that he would like to take control of the Gaza Strip, forcibly removing the native Palestinians and turning the currently war-torn area into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
- The Trump administration attempted to freeze all federal loans and grants. This order was met by a whirlwind of chaos and confusion until District Judge Loren L. AliKhan temporarily blocked the freeze.
- The White House is currently trying to change the name of the former Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, per one of Trump’s many executive orders on day one.
- The Panama Canal has also been mentioned by Trump, who says he would like to “reclaim” the historic waterway.
- An Associated Press (AP) News journalist was barred from the Oval Office by Trump during an event because of AP News’ stance on the Gulf of Mexico name change, with another journalist following suit and denied entry to a separate event.
