It has been a year since Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term as President of the United States, capping one of the most dramatic political comebacks in modern American history.
Last January, Trump proclaimed the arrival of what he called a new “Golden Age of America” on his Inauguration Day. In the 12 months since, the country has experienced a whirlwind of domestic and foreign policy shifts, sweeping executive actions, and deeply polarising decisions that have stirred intense national and global debate.
Within hours of taking office, Trump signed more than 200 executive actions, including rescinding nearly 80 policies enacted under former President Joe Biden. He also pardoned around 1,500 people convicted for crimes related to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, according to ABC News.
“From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America First,” Trump said in his inaugural address.
Marking one year in office this January, Trump held a marathon news conference at the White House, fielding questions for over an hour and 40 minutes on topics ranging from immigration to the future of the United Nations.
“It’s been an amazing period of time,” Trump said as he took the podium. According to Al Jazeera, the president highlighted accomplishments such as “reverse migration” away from the US and “high economic growth,” reflecting a mixture of fulfilled promises, bold actions, and ongoing controversies.
A look at Trump’s first year shows a mixture of fulfilled promises, dramatic actions and ongoing controversies that show his political ambitions and the divided response from Americans.
Bold Foreign Policy Moves
Trump presented himself as a “peacemaker and unifier” while taking bold, high-stakes actions abroad. He helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after months of violent conflict in Gaza, a rare diplomatic success amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
At the same time, he unveiled the “Donroe Doctrine,” a reinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting America’s dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
This vision was backed by an on-the-ground operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro, aiming to hold him accountable for alleged drug trafficking and weapons charges while asserting US influence in Latin America.
Greenland Gambit
Trump repeatedly threatened to seize Greenland from Denmark, arguing that full US control was essential to prevent Russia or China from gaining a strategic foothold in the Arctic.
“Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he said. While the US already maintains a strong military presence on the island, Trump refused to rule out using force, escalating tensions with Europe.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US takeover would end NATO, highlighting the diplomatic fallout from his provocative approach.
Aggressive Immigration Crackdown
Keeping a core campaign promise, Trump oversaw the “largest deportation operation in American history.”
In 2025, the US recorded negative net migration for the first time in over 50 years, largely due to a sharp drop in new entries. Immigration raids conducted by ICE and Customs officials included aggressive tactics, detaining thousands—some without criminal records and even including US citizens.
The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent sparked nationwide protests, prompting temporary deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to cities like Los Angeles.
Trump later threatened to send troops to Minnesota under the Insurrection Act, intensifying fears of militarized immigration enforcement.
Instigating Tariff Wars
Trump reignited global trade tensions by imposing sweeping tariffs on multiple countries. On April 2, he celebrated a “Liberation Day” at the White House, announcing reciprocal tariffs as a response to decades of alleged US exploitation.
Experts immediately questioned his calculations and methodology, noting that the tariffs would raise costs for American consumers while generating billions for the Treasury.
India became a primary target: In April 2025, the US imposed a 26% tariff on Indian exports, one of the highest among major trading partners, and doubled it to 50% in August. Sectors such as textiles, gems, jewellery, leather, and seafood were particularly affected.
Around 55% of India’s exports to the US—worth $48–$60 billion annually—fell under these tariffs. Reports show a 37.5% drop in exports over four months, highlighting the impact on key export sectors.
Before the tariffs, India exported $86 billion worth of goods to the US annually, with a trade surplus of $41 billion, making the US one of its most critical markets. The tariff escalation forced India to consider diversifying markets and negotiating new trade terms while struggling to maintain competitiveness.
Bombing Iran’s Nuclear Sites
In June, the US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites, deploying stealth bombers to drop “bunker-buster” bombs on three facilities linked to Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump declared that the sites were “completely and fully obliterated.” While fears of a broader regional conflict surged, Iran’s response was relatively muted. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the attack, calling it proof that the US is “the primary instigator of the Zionist regime’s hostile actions.” The strikes marked a dramatic escalation in US military involvement in the Middle East during Trump’s second term.
Waffling Epstein Files
Despite campaign promises, Trump initially blocked the release of Jeffrey Epstein investigation records, which many Americans demanded to understand the extent of abuse and potential complicity of powerful figures.
He pressured Congress to prevent their release but eventually signed legislation mandating it. The Justice Department released a heavily redacted trove in December, including references to Trump, which the White House dismissed as false.
The episode added to ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability during his administration.
Birthright Citizenship Controversy
Trump also sought to end birthright citizenship for children born in the US to certain immigrants, challenging the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the country.
The move sparked widespread legal challenges from states, including California, and federal courts blocked the order, highlighting the tension between executive ambition and constitutional safeguards.
Across domestic and foreign policy, Trump’s first year has been defined by bold initiatives, dramatic controversies, and sharp divisions at home and abroad.
From aggressive tariff wars and immigration crackdowns to high-stakes foreign policy maneuvers and military actions, the administration has left an indelible mark on both American politics and international relations, sparking debate about the limits of executive power and the role of the US on the world stage.
