President Donald Trump has maintained a fast-paced agenda in his second and third weeks in office, focusing on executive orders, tariffs, foreign policy, and domestic issues such as education and immigration. Here’s a summary of his recent actions.
Aircraft Crash Response
Last week, an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter before landing, leading to a tragic crash into the Potomac River, killing all 67 people on board. Trump addressed the nation alongside Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and newly confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The president suggested that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies could have played a role in the disaster and ordered a review of aviation hiring and safety protocols.
Education
Trump signed an executive order blocking federal funding for schools promoting Critical Race Theory and gender ideology. Another order encouraged school choice, directing federal funds to support alternatives. He also issued an order targeting anti-Semitism on college campuses, directing institutions to investigate and potentially remove students engaged in such activities. Additionally, the Department of Education discarded complaints regarding “book bans” and reversed Biden-era Title IX policies that included trans-identifying men in women’s sports.
Gender Ideology
The president issued an executive order preventing federal support for childhood gender transitions and banning trans-identifying males from participating in girls’ sports. This led to policy changes, including the NCAA updating its regulations. Trump also reinstated a ban on trans-identifying individuals serving in the military, ordered federal employees to remove pronouns from email signatures, and dismissed several Kennedy Center board members over programming that included drag performances targeting children.
Foreign Policy
Trump secured the release of six Israeli hostages and an American-Israeli citizen held by Hamas. He suggested that Egypt and Jordan accept more Palestinian refugees and proposed a controversial plan to relocate Gaza’s population before transforming it into a resort destination. Additionally, he sanctioned the International Criminal Court after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In military actions, Trump ordered airstrikes on ISIS operatives in Somalia and reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran by imposing oil-related sanctions. He also celebrated Panama’s departure from China’s Belt and Road Initiative following U.S. pressure.
Further moves included cutting U.S. funding to several United Nations agencies and initiating the development of a missile defense system akin to Israel’s Iron Dome. In Ukraine, he proposed a deal trading rare earth minerals for defense aid. Trump also froze assistance to South Africa, citing concerns related to its apartheid history.
Immigration
Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, requiring detention of illegal migrants accused of violent crimes. The administration sued Chicago and Illinois over sanctuary policies and expanded migrant operations at Guantanamo Bay, deporting violent gang members there. Additionally, the U.S. revoked deportation protections for Venezuelan migrants while securing the release of six Americans held in Venezuela.
Economy and Trade
After a brief diplomatic standoff, Trump threatened Colombia with tariffs, which led the country to comply with U.S. migration demands. He also imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to address immigration and fentanyl concerns, though paused the Canada and Mexico tariffs after both nations pledged new enforcement efforts.
China retaliated with its own tariffs, and Trump ordered a plan for a Sovereign Wealth Fund to finance a potential TikTok acquisition. Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) identified wasteful federal spending, leading to significant downsizing at USAID. Over 60,000 federal employees accepted buyout offers, and Trump restricted last-minute union negotiations by outgoing administrations.
Religious Freedom
Trump signed an order aimed at stopping government actions that target Christian and pro-life individuals. It cited past prosecutions under the Biden administration and efforts to shut faith-based groups out of foster care services. A new White House Faith Office was also established to support religious organizations.
Other Actions
The administration removed various government web pages, including vaccine guidance for pregnant individuals and reproductive rights information. Trump revoked Biden’s security clearance and halted his intelligence briefings, citing memory concerns. Security details were also stripped from retired General Mark Milley and former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
In another move, the administration canceled government-funded subscriptions to Politico Pro and similar news services. Trump also issued an order requiring that for every new regulation introduced, ten must be repealed.
On gun rights, he directed the Attorney General to review ongoing infringements on the Second Amendment. Additionally, he reinstated protections for American monuments, ensuring prosecution for vandalism and withholding federal funds from jurisdictions failing to protect them.
Commemorations and Events
Trump designated January 27 as the National Day of Remembrance for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz and proclaimed February as National Black History Month, American Heart Month, and Career and Technical Education Month. He also launched a task force to plan the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.
Cabinet confirmations continued, including Pam Bondi as Attorney General. Other nominees, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel, faced contentious hearings.
Finally, Trump is scheduled to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans this Sunday.
