As former President Donald Trump marks one year into his second term, he has made significant strides in reshaping key areas of U.S. policy, focusing on immigration, trade, the federal workforce, and more. Here’s a breakdown of his campaign promises and their current outcomes.
Immigration Policy Overhaul
Promises Made
During his campaign, Trump placed immigration at the forefront, advocating for a vigorous crackdown on illegal crossings and a stricter migration policy.
Actions Taken
Since January, illegal border crossings have plummeted to historic lows, with the Border Patrol documenting fewer than 10,000 crossings per month—a significant decrease not witnessed in decades. To further assert control, the administration has restricted asylum access for those entering illegally and has pressured Mexico to boost enforcement before migrants arrive at the U.S. border. Two new laws have expanded detention frameworks, resulting in a tripling of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) budget.
Despite these measures, Trump’s goal of deporting one million migrants annually has not been met, with approximately 500,000 deportations occurring thus far in 2025. Notably, many individuals arrested in raids were found to lack criminal records. Trump’s administration has also tightened legal immigration, sharply reducing refugee admissions and complicating entry for nationals from countries under his travel bans.
Shifts in the Federal Workforce
Promises Made
In his bid to “demolish the deep state,” Trump aimed to reconfigure the federal workforce.
Actions Taken
This year saw over 317,000 federal employees exit the government, while only around 68,000 were hired. High-profile dismissals at the Justice Department and FBI, particularly of officials linked to investigations regarding Trump, redirected resources from public corruption to immigration enforcement. Collaborating with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, the administration has slashed budgets, frozen grants, and dismantled various congressional agencies, including USAID and the Education Department. While immigration enforcement has ramped up, critical services such as disaster response have suffered as a result.
Trade Policies and Tariffs
Promises Made
Trump promised robust tariffs aimed at correcting trade imbalances and revitalizing American manufacturing.
Actions Taken
He followed through with sweeping tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and China, leading to an effective tariff rate of over 18%, the highest since 1934. While intended to bolster U.S. manufacturing, the sector has actually shed over 50,000 jobs since his return to office. Consumers are now experiencing increased costs as businesses absorb the price hikes. Some legal pushback has arisen, with the Supreme Court questioning the president’s use of emergency powers for these tariffs.
Cost of Living Concerns
Promises Made
Trump asserted he would effectively lower prices for consumers.
Actions Taken
However, inflation remains high, with food and household goods still costly. The White House has credited policy changes for some decrease in fuel prices, but analysts express varying opinions on this claim. Despite attempts to stimulate economic growth, rising affordability concerns now dominate public sentiment. Trump has pushed for interest rate reductions from the Federal Reserve, but mortgage rates remain elevated and his innovative proposals like 50-year mortgages have drawn bipartisan criticism.
Drug Policy and Cartels
Promises Made
Trump vowed to combat drug cartels decisively.
Actions Taken
His administration has classified drug cartels as terrorist organizations and authorized military operations against suspected traffickers in international waters. Since September, these efforts have led to attacks on 29 vessels, resulting in numerous casualties. Critics, however, argue that the focus remains primarily on cocaine, while fentanyl, a leading cause of overdose deaths, continues to be an overlooked issue.
Foreign Policy and Military Engagements
Promises Made
Trump committed to avoiding new wars and swiftly concluding existing conflicts.
Actions Taken
While he brokered a ceasefire in Gaza, violence continues, and the war in Ukraine remains unresolved, contrary to his initial intentions. His administration has conducted military strikes in Venezuela and Iran, leading to concerns over potential escalations in these regions.
Domestic Military Deployment
Promises Made
He indicated a willingness to use military presence on U.S. soil to address crime and illegal immigration.
Actions Taken
Federal troops have been dispatched to the border, with some given the authority to detain migrants. In a controversial move, federal forces were deployed in Los Angeles, clashing with the wishes of the state government. Subsequent court rulings questioned the legality of some deployments, yet the use of troops in urban settings appears to be increasingly normalized.
Justice System Changes
Promises Made
Trump pledged to focus the Justice Department’s efforts on political adversaries.
Actions Taken
He directly ordered several investigations, flouting the principle of departmental independence, leading to a number of cases being dismissed under issues of improper conduct. Nevertheless, efforts to revive these investigations continue.
Diversity and Civil Rights Agendas
Promises Made
A commitment was made to dismantle diversity programs within government and education.
Actions Taken
The administration has rolled back various diversity initiatives, cutting federal funding and imposing restrictions on how race and gender are taught in schools. Additionally, a reduction in protections for transgender individuals and the restoration of Confederate statues have generated considerable controversy.
Expansion of Presidential Authority
Promises Made
Trump expressed a desire to enhance executive powers.
Actions Taken
His approach has led to the centralization of power within the executive branch, including the dismissal of officials without adherence to statutory protections and withholding funds approved by Congress. Furthermore, Trump has instructed agencies to overlook certain laws, raising alarm among critics about potential overreach.
As Trump moves into the second year of his term, supporters maintain that he is acting on longstanding commitments, while critics caution that many of these ongoing changes could be challenging to reverse in the future.
