Iron Fist and Unwavering Promises

By: Elián Zidán

Deportations, arrests, executive orders, confirmations, and legal battles—Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been anything but subtle. If anyone expected a more measured, restrained version of the former president, they were mistaken. Trump has wasted no time in making sweeping changes, seeing his victory as a direct mandate from the American people to overhaul the nation’s trajectory.

From the moment he took the oath of office—without placing his hand on the Bible and under Washington’s freezing skies—it was clear he had no intention of softening his approach. His first actions were swift and decisive, catering to the voters who propelled him back into power.

The day began with the traditional formalities; the outgoing president welcomed Trump at the White House before both made their way to the Capitol for the official transfer of power. But any semblance of political niceties quickly faded. In his inaugural address, Trump wasted no time in making bold declarations, from proposing a name change for the Gulf of Mexico to asserting that his administration would officially recognize only two genders: male and female.

Behind the scenes, his team was already dismantling key policies from the Biden era. The CBP One app, used to process migrant applications, was abruptly shut down, canceling thousands of scheduled asylum appointments. It was clear—this wasn’t going to be a slow transition.

Among the flurry of executive orders Trump signed in his first hours, one of the most controversial was a full pardon for those convicted in connection to the January 6th Capitol riot. He described them as "patriots who fought for freedom," in stark contrast to his previous rhetoric about law and order.

His hardline stance on immigration has already taken effect. ICE has been granted expansive authority to deport over 1.4 million undocumented migrants who entered the country under Biden’s policies, including those protected by humanitarian programs. The swift crackdown has led to chaos in some cases—like in Newark, New Jersey, where U.S. citizens and even a military veteran were mistakenly detained.

Public opinion remains divided. A recent Axios poll shows that while 66% of Americans support deporting undocumented immigrants, that number drops significantly when military involvement or family separations are mentioned—issues that strike a deep nerve in a country that prides itself on human rights.

Trump has also reignited the debate over birthright citizenship, challenging the long-established interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Critics warn that his proposal echoes the infamous Dred Scott decision, which once denied African Americans the right to citizenship. While a federal judge has temporarily blocked the measure, the legal battle is far from over.

On the economic front, Trump has doubled down on his “America First” agenda, slapping a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico—moves that could destabilize North America’s strongest trade alliance. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he issued a stark ultimatum to NATO allies, demanding they increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. He also wasted no time pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Meanwhile, the battles in Congress are already heating up. Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Secretary of Defense with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, while Marco Rubio was overwhelmingly approved as Secretary of State—the first Hispanic to hold the position. His first major test? Navigating a tense diplomatic standoff with Panama over control of the vital interoceanic canal.

Trump’s return isn’t just a political comeback—it’s a full-scale offensive. His administration is moving fast, breaking norms, and upending policies at an unprecedented pace. While his supporters celebrate these changes as a restoration of American strength, others fear they will deepen domestic divisions and create new international tensions.

The next 100 days will be crucial in determining whether Trump’s aggressive approach will reshape the country as he envisions—or if his second term will be defined by controversy, conflict, and resistance.