President Donald Trump began his second term with a strong and decisive start, quickly resuming his duties and moving back into the White House. He wasted no time, signing several executive orders, including freezing regulations and halting federal hiring. His Cabinet began taking shape, with Marco Rubio being swiftly confirmed as Secretary of State, setting the tone for more nominations to follow.
Trump’s foreign policy outlook, reflected in Rubio’s comments, emphasizes peace-through-strength, especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Though some of his Cabinet choices, such as Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, face controversy, they still have strong Republican backing, ensuring smooth confirmations despite Democratic opposition. Other nominees, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, will undergo closer scrutiny.
On his first day, Trump also signed several executive orders, including rescinding actions taken by President Biden, withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, and implementing policies to prevent government censorship and address national security concerns, including pardoning individuals involved in the January 6th riot. These moves set the stage for the administration’s agenda in the coming months.
In Congress, GOP leaders are already working to pass legislation aligned with Trump’s priorities, including border security, tax cuts, and energy production. However, the House and Senate are debating how to best advance these bills, with a focus on using the reconciliation process to bypass Democratic opposition. The challenge lies in balancing ambitious goals with the need to navigate divisions within the party.
Lawmakers are also grappling with the impending debt ceiling deadline, which is expected to be reached soon. Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed raising the debt ceiling while also making significant cuts to government spending. The new Congress aims to pass major reforms by April, starting with the Laken Riley Act, which strengthens immigration enforcement, marking the first major legislation of the new term.
