{{Short description|U.S. presidential administration since 2025}} {{for timeline|Timeline of the Donald Trump presidencies#Second presidency (2025–present)}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Multiple issues|{{Overly detailed|date=June 2025}} {{Very long|words=19,800|date=February 2026}}}} {{Use American English|date=November 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox administration | name = Second presidency of Donald Trump | image = Official Presidential Portrait of President Donald J. Trump (2025).jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2025 | term_start = January 20, 2025 | term_end = present | president_link = President of the United States | vicepresident = JD Vance | cabinet = Full list | party = Republican | election = 2024 | seat = White House | predecessor = Joe Biden | successor = | official_url = whitehouse.gov }}
{{Donald Trump series}}
Donald Trump's second and current tenure as the president of the United States began upon his inauguration as the 47th president on January 20, 2025. Trump, a Republican, previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021. He lost re-election to Democratic nominee Joe Biden in 2020, and then won against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in 2024. Trump is the second former U.S. president to return to office.{{efn|The first was Grover Cleveland, following his victory in the 1892 presidential election.}} Alongside Trump's second presidency, the Republican Party also currently holds simple majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate, thereby attaining an overall federal government trifecta.
During 2025, Trump signed 225 executive orders, the most of any president in a single year since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Many of these have been or are being challenged in court.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 20, 2025 |title=How many executive orders has Trump signed in 2025?: A look at the president's first month back in office |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/how-many-executive-orders-has-trump-signed-2025-first-month/6157457/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US |archive-date=December 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251229175609/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/how-many-executive-orders-has-trump-signed-2025-first-month/6157457/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His attempts to expand presidential power and conflict with the courts have been described as a defining characteristic of his second presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/trump-power-courts-crisis.html|title=How Trump Is Trying to Consolidate Power Over Courts, Congress and More|quote=President Trump's expansive interpretation of presidential power has become the defining characteristic of his second term.|first1=Erica L.|last1=Green|first2=Zolan|last2=Kanno-Youngs|first3=Maggie|last3=Haberman|website=The New York Times|date=March 20, 2025|access-date=March 20, 2025|archive-date=April 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401194213/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/trump-power-courts-crisis.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On immigration, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, attempted to restrict birthright citizenship, and ordered mass deportations of immigrants. In January 2025, Trump launched the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with Elon Musk briefly overseeing it. DOGE was tasked with reducing federal spending and shrinking the size of the government, and it oversaw mass layoffs of civil servants, as well as closing government agencies such as the Agency for International Development. Trump also signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, which permanently extended the tax cuts introduced in the first Trump administration, while increasing the deficit by around $3 trillion by 2034.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBO Reports the Final "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Tally Will Add $3.4 Trillion to Deficits Over 10 Years {{!}} U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget |url=https://www.budget.senate.gov/ranking-member/newsroom/press/cbo-reports-the-final-one-big-beautiful-bill-tally-will-add-34-trillion-to-deficits-over-10-years |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=www.budget.senate.gov |language=en |archive-date=February 13, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213173341/https://www.budget.senate.gov/ranking-member/newsroom/press/cbo-reports-the-final-one-big-beautiful-bill-tally-will-add-34-trillion-to-deficits-over-10-years |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump has also overseen a series of tariff increases and pauses, which led to retaliatory tariffs from other countries and stock market volatility.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Waldenberg |first1=Samantha |last2=Liptak |first2=Kevin |last3=Treene |first3=Alayna |last4=Goldman |first4=David |date=February 1, 2025 |title=Trump announces new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/01/politics/mexico-canada-china-tariffs-trump/index.html |access-date= |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=April 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411204257/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/01/politics/mexico-canada-china-tariffs-trump/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AP, Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico, February 3, 2025">{{Cite web |last1=Boak |first1=Josh |last2=Sánchez |first2=Fabiola |last3=Gillies |first3=Rob |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico after they pledge to boost border enforcement |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-sheinbaum-trudeau-017efa8c3343b8d2a9444f7e65356ae9 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203221911/https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-sheinbaum-trudeau-017efa8c3343b8d2a9444f7e65356ae9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Financial Post, Canada to place retaliatory 25 per cent, February 1, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Gowling |first=Jordan |date=February 1, 2025 |title=Canada to place retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion in U.S. goods in two phases |url=https://financialpost.com/news/trump-signs-executive-order-imposing-25-per-cent-tariffs-on-canada-starting-tuesday |website=Financial Post |access-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-date=April 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404124316/https://financialpost.com/news/trump-signs-executive-order-imposing-25-per-cent-tariffs-on-canada-starting-tuesday |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Melloy |first1=John |last2=Machael |first2=Tanaya |date=April 6, 2025 |title=Dow futures fall 900 points as Trump tariff market collapse worsens |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/06/stock-market-today-live-updates.html |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=CNBC |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412023029/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/06/stock-market-today-live-updates.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In international affairs, Trump has further pursued a more interventionist and aggressive foreign policy, including the greater use of military force. His administration increased support for Israel in the Gaza war, struck Houthi targets in Yemen from March to May 2025 and aided Israel in the June 2025 Twelve-Day War, during which he carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees and floats plan to 'clean out' Gaza|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-israel-bomb-gaza-hamas-war-023b36984c6116c128b5e47f117bba2a|website=Associated Press|date=January 26, 2025|access-date=December 8, 2025|archive-date=December 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202190325/https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-israel-bomb-gaza-hamas-war-023b36984c6116c128b5e47f117bba2a|url-status=live}}</ref> In early October 2025, Trump's plan for a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was signed. Trump has authorized a series of strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea, the legality of which is widely disputed under both U.S. and international law, and subsequently ordered a military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, the disputed president of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |last2=Rosenberg |first2=Carol |last3=Gamio |first3=Lazaro |title=Tracking U.S. Military Killings in Boat Attacks Known |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/29/us/us-caribbean-pacific-boat-strikes.html |access-date=December 31, 2025 |agency=The New York Times |date=December 29, 2025 |archive-date=March 26, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260326140028/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/29/us/us-caribbean-pacific-boat-strikes.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |title=The Furor Over Trump's Boat Attacks and a Particular Follow-Up Strike, Explained |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/us/politics/boat-strikes-trump-hegseth-caribbean.html |access-date=December 31, 2025 |agency=The New York Times |date=December 4, 2025 |archive-date=December 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217195441/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/us/politics/boat-strikes-trump-hegseth-caribbean.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2026, he launched a major attack on Iran with Israel with the stated goal of regime change, including the assassination of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei, which led to the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis and fuel crisis. As in his first presidency, Trump initiated the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization, the Paris Climate Accords, and UNESCO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chrisafis |first=Angelique |date=July 22, 2025 |title=Trump pulls US out of Unesco in blow for UN culture and education agency |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/22/us-unesco-withdrawal-trump-united-nations |access-date=July 22, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
The Trump administration has been criticized for its targeting of political opponents and civil society. Many of his administration's actions have been found by the judiciary to be illegal and unconstitutional,<ref name="Savage 05232025" /><ref name="Sneed 01232025" /><ref name="Lucas 05022025" /><ref name="Jouvenal 07212025" /> and have been criticized as authoritarian and fascistic. These actions have also been seen as contributing to democratic backsliding in the country. Trump is the first president with a felony conviction, having been convicted in 2024 for falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments. Having taken office at 78 years and seven months old, he is the oldest person to become U.S. president.
== Milestones == === 2024 election === {{Main|Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign|2024 United States presidential election|2025 United States Electoral College vote count}} {{Further|2024 United States elections|2024 Republican Party presidential primaries|2024 Republican National Convention}} thumb|upright=1.5|2024 Electoral College vote results
Trump, who previously served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and lost his reelection bid to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election,<ref>{{cite news |date=November 3, 2020 |title=Presidential Election Results 2020: Biden Wins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-president.html |access-date=April 22, 2025 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612100157/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-president.html |url-status=live }}</ref> announced his candidacy for the nomination of the Republican Party in the 2024 presidential election on November 15, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Kathryn |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Trump announces he's running for president again in 2024 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/donald-trump-2024-presidential-bid-announcement/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116235342/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/donald-trump-2024-presidential-bid-announcement/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Orr |first1=Gabby |last2=Holmes |first2=Kristen |last3=Stracqualursi |first3=Veronica |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Former President Donald Trump announces a White House bid for 2024 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/politics/trump-2024-presidential-bid/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115195034/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/politics/trump-2024-presidential-bid/index.html |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> In March 2024, Trump secured the Republican nomination. Trump selected Senator JD Vance of Ohio, a former critic of his, as his running mate, and the two were officially nominated at the 2024 Republican National Convention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Herman |first1=Alice |date=July 15, 2024 |title=Donald Trump formally nominated to be Republican presidential candidate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/15/trump-milwaukee-republican-national-convention |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
Early on November 6, 2024, the day after the election, Trump was projected to have secured the presidency.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wren |first1=Adam |date=November 6, 2024 |title=Donald Trump flips Wisconsin |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/05/2024-election-results-live-coverage-updates-analysis/donald-trump-wins-wisconsin-00185334 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yilek |first1=Caitlin |date=November 6, 2024 |title=Trump wins Wisconsin, clinching presidency, CBS News projects. See the county-by-county results. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/wisconsin-election-results-2024/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127004138/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/wisconsin-election-results-2024/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump won the presidential election with 312 electoral votes and 49.8% of the popular vote, while Kamala Harris received 226 electoral votes and 48.3% of the popular vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jacobson |first=Louis |date=November 22, 2024 |title=How big was Donald Trump's 2024 election victory? 8 charts explain |url=https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/nov/22/how-big-was-donald-trumps-victory-8-charts-provide/ |access-date=April 22, 2025 |work=PolitiFact |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517021827/https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/nov/22/how-big-was-donald-trumps-victory-8-charts-provide/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2024presgeresults.pdf |title=2024 Presidential Election Results |publisher=Federal Election Commission |date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117103027/https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2024presgeresults.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump, upon taking office, became the second president in U.S. history to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland in 1893,<ref>{{cite news |last=Watkins |first=Ali |date=November 6, 2024 |title=Trump Is Not the First President to Come Back From Defeat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/trump-grover-cleveland-second-term.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106152316/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/trump-grover-cleveland-second-term.html |archive-date=November 6, 2024 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and the first with a felony to serve the presidency after his conviction in May 2024.<ref name="WaPoFirsts">{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Brianna |date=November 6, 2024 |title=The historic firsts of the 2024 election |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/06/2024-election-historic-firsts/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In the concurrent congressional elections, Republicans secured a government trifecta after retaining their majority in the House of Representatives and winning back control of the Senate for the first time since his first presidency.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Emily |date=November 11, 2024 |title=Republicans win House, delivering Trump a trifecta |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4974235-house-republicans-control-majority/ |access-date=November 13, 2024 |newspaper=The Hill |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112234946/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4974235-house-republicans-control-majority/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Transition period and inauguration === {{Main|Second presidential transition of Donald Trump|Second inauguration of Donald Trump|}} {{Multiple image | image1 = January 2025 Official Presidential Portrait of Donald J. Trump.jpg | caption1 = Inaugural portrait | image2 = P20241113CS-0503 (cropped).jpg | caption2 = Incumbent president Joe Biden and President-elect Trump in the Oval Office on November 13, 2024 | image3 = Donald Trump takes the oath of office (2025) (alternate).jpg | caption3 = Chief Justice John Roberts administers the presidential oath of office to Trump in the Capitol rotunda, January 20, 2025 | total_width = 400 }} The presidential transition period began following Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, though Trump had chosen Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick to begin planning for the transition in August 2024. According to ''The New York Times'', Trump was "superstitious" and preferred to avoid discussing the presidential transition process until after Election Day. His transition team relied on the work of the America First Policy Institute, rather than the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that garnered controversy during the election for Project 2025, a set of initiatives that would reshape the federal government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swan |first1=Jonathan |author-link1=Jonathan Swan |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |author-link2=Maggie Haberman |last3=Savage |first3=Charlie |date=August 16, 2024 |title=Well Behind Schedule, Trump Names Allies to Lead Transition Team |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/16/us/politics/trump-transition-team-2024-mcmahon-lutnick.html |access-date=November 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=November 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111053158/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/16/us/politics/trump-transition-team-2024-mcmahon-lutnick.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By October, he had not participated in the federal presidential transition process,<ref>{{cite news |last=Bensinger |first=Ken |date=October 9, 2024 |title=Trump Holds Up Transition Process, Skirting Ethics and Fund-Raising Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/us/politics/trump-presidential-transition.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110073421/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/us/politics/trump-presidential-transition.html |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and he had not signed a required ethics pledge, as of November.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bensinger |first=Ken |date=November 9, 2024 |title=Trump Holds Up Transition Process Over Ethics Code |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/us/politics/donald-trump-ethics-transition.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110002320/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/us/politics/donald-trump-ethics-transition.html |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
During the transition period, Trump announced nominations for his cabinet and administration. Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crowley |first=Kinsey |date=November 5, 2024 |title=When is Inauguration Day? What to know about the next president's swearing in |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/05/when-is-inauguration-day-2025/75846444007/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=USA Today |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122180332/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/05/when-is-inauguration-day-2025/75846444007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Alex |date=January 21, 2025 |title=How John Roberts 'played a significant role' in Trump's return to White House |url=https://www.alternet.org/trump-roberts-politico/ |access-date=August 15, 2025 |work=AlterNet |archive-date=August 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826173530/https://www.alternet.org/trump-roberts-politico/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The inauguration occurred indoors in the Capitol Rotunda as a result of a severe cold wave.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Meg |last1=Kinnard |first2=Thomas |last2=Beaumont |date=January 17, 2025 |title=The inauguration is moving indoors. Here's what to know about the changed plans |url=https://apnews.com/article/inauguration-weather-plans-what-to-know-c4b0779d38e81f65f8edd66f9c3b9347 |access-date=January 20, 2025 |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120041649/https://apnews.com/article/inauguration-weather-plans-what-to-know-c4b0779d38e81f65f8edd66f9c3b9347 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== First 100 days === {{Main|First 100 days of the second Trump presidency}} In Trump's first hundred days in office, he signed 143 executive orders, the most of any president in this period, 42 presidential memoranda, 42 presidential proclamations, the Laken Riley Act, a continuing appropriations act, and other pieces of legislation for Congress. Trump's extensive use of executive orders drew a mixed reception from both Republicans and Democrats.<!-- See the polling section --> Some executive orders tested the limits of executive authority, and others faced immediate legal challenges.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wootson Jr. |first=Cleve R. |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Trump's executive orders already face pushback, legal challenges |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/21/trump-executive-orders-challenges-lawsuits/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 23, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123030108/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/21/trump-executive-orders-challenges-lawsuits/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Matt |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Trump's New Executive Orders Show His Power—and His Limits |url=https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/trump-executive-orders-limits-d3d67243 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 23, 2025 |work=Barron's |quote=President Donald Trump's first day back on the job began with what has been dubbed a shock and awe campaign, a burst of dozens of executive orders meant to jump-start his political and economic strategies. |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124115259/https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/trump-executive-orders-limits-d3d67243 |url-status=live }}</ref> Major topics Trump focused on included immigration reform, deportations, applying tariffs on other countries, cutting federal spending, reducing the federal workforce, increasing executive authority, and implementing a non-interventionist foreign policy.
==Administration== {{Further|Political appointments of the second Trump administration}} ===Cabinet=== {{Main|Second cabinet of Donald Trump}} {{See also|Vice presidency of JD Vance|List of vice presidential trips made by JD Vance}} thumb|Cabinet meeting in February 2025 {{Second Trump cabinet infobox}} Trump's cabinet choices were described by news media as valuing personal loyalty over relevant experience,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Brent D. |date=November 13, 2024 |title=Trump's early Cabinet picks show how much he values loyalty in his second term |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-cabinet-picks-so-far-loyalty-resumes-11 |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 22, 2024 |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225043802/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-cabinet-picks-so-far-loyalty-resumes-11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Slattery |first1=Gram |last2=Ulmer |first2=Alexander |date=November 11, 2024 |title=As Trump staffs up for second term, only MAGA loyalists need apply |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/default/donald-trump-staffs-up-second-term-only-maga-loyalists-need-apply-2024-11-11/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 22, 2024 |archive-date=July 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727005035/https://www.reuters.com/default/donald-trump-staffs-up-second-term-only-maga-loyalists-need-apply-2024-11-11/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and for having a range of conflicting ideologies and "eclectic personalities".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ball |first=Molly |date=December 17, 2024 |title=What Trump's Cabinet Picks Tell Us About His Agenda |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/donald-trump-cabinet-picks-policy-agenda-809f1d46 |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223131311/https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/donald-trump-cabinet-picks-policy-agenda-809f1d46 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrow |first=Bill |date=November 25, 2024 |title=Trump 2.0 has a Cabinet and executive branch of different ideas and eclectic personalities |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-budget-immigration-loyalty-986154f35c82452e0e2e642a3e1752a8 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225043802/https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-budget-immigration-loyalty-986154f35c82452e0e2e642a3e1752a8 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also described as the wealthiest administration in modern history, with over 13 billionaires chosen to take government posts.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Charalambous |first1=Peter |last2=Romero |first2=Laura |last3=Kim |first3=Soo Rin |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Trump has tapped an unprecedented 13 billionaires for his administration. Here's who they are |publisher=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-tapped-unprecedented-13-billionaires-top-administration-roles/story?id=116872968 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224195029/https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-tapped-unprecedented-13-billionaires-top-administration-roles/story?id=116872968 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barber |first=Rachel |date=November 21, 2024 |title=A billionaire presidential administration? Who Trump plans to nominate so far |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/21/trump-administration-cabinet-picks-wealthy/76433245007/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223200106/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/21/trump-administration-cabinet-picks-wealthy/76433245007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He nominated or appointed 23 former Fox News employees to his administration.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump gets the Fox News band back together for his second administration |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-fox-news-second-administration-b2678911.html |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=May 9, 2025 |work=The Independent |archive-date=October 14, 2025 |access-date=July 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014131200/https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-fox-news-second-administration-b2678911.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Notably, Trump's nomination of Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury made Bessent the highest ranking openly LGBTQ person to serve in the United States government.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Trump nominates gay man for Treasury secretary |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/11/24/trump-nominates-gay-man-for-treasury-secretary/ |first=Christopher |last=Kane |authorlink=Christopher Kane |work=Washington Blade |date=November 24, 2024 |archive-date=December 29, 2024 |access-date=October 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229192237/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/11/24/trump-nominates-gay-man-for-treasury-secretary/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was planning to fire Kristi Noem after a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing during which she was criticised for her actions during her term of office, including her handling of the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, inappropriate relations with her advisor, Corey Lewandowski, and mismanagement of funds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hackman |first=Josh Dawsey, Tarini Parti and Michelle |date=March 5, 2026 |title=Trump Ousts Kristi Noem From DHS |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-dhs-kristi-noem-markwayne-mullin-85815862 |access-date=March 11, 2026 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}} </ref> On March 5, Trump announced her reassignment to a new position, "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas",<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Michael C. BenderMichael GoldHamed AleazizMaggie |last2=Kanno-Youngs |first2=Zolan |date=March 5, 2026 |title=Trump Announces He Is Replacing Noem With Oklahoma Senator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/us/politics/kristi-noem-markwayne-mullin-trump.html |access-date=March 11, 2026 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and announced Oklahoma senator, Markwayne Mullin as her successor as the Secretary of Homeland Security.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stein |first=Chris |date=March 5, 2026 |title=Trump fires homeland security secretary Kristi Noem |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/05/trump-kristi-noem-homeland-security |access-date=March 11, 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Noem is the first Cabinet official to be removed from her post during Trump's second presidency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2026 |title=Trump fires Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-says-kristi-noem-stepping-homeland-security-secretary-rcna248719 |access-date=March 11, 2026 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
===Loyalty tests=== Once the second Trump presidency began, White House screening teams fanned out to federal agencies to screen job applicants for their loyalty to the president's agenda. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order asserting to restore merit-based federal hiring practices and "dedication to our Constitution".<ref name="maga_loyalty">{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Matthew |last2=Madhani |first2=Aamer |last3=Colvin |first3=Jill |title=Loyalty tests and MAGA checks: Inside the Trump White House's intense screening of job-seekers |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-loyalty-white-house-maga-vetting-jobs-768fa5cbcf175652655c86203222f47c |publisher=Associated Press |date=January 25, 2025 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126065351/https://apnews.com/article/trump-loyalty-white-house-maga-vetting-jobs-768fa5cbcf175652655c86203222f47c |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shamim |first1=Sarah |title=What do Trump's executive orders on workplace diversity programmes say? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/23/what-do-trumps-executive-orders-on-workplace-diversity-programmes-say |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126065352/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/23/what-do-trumps-executive-orders-on-workplace-diversity-programmes-say |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of its U.S. federal deferred resignation program, the Trump administration demanded "loyalty" from federal workers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hsu |first=Andrea |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Judge declines to block Trump administration's resignation offer to federal employees |work=NPR News |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/nx-s1-5293079/trump-musk-federal-employees-fork-resign-buyout |access-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-date=March 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302005822/https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/nx-s1-5293079/trump-musk-federal-employees-fork-resign-buyout |url-status=live }}</ref> In a break from politically neutral speech, the Justice Department issued memos about "insubordination", "abhorrent conduct" and vowed to pursue opponents of Trump's cost-cutting efforts "to the ends of the Earth" in what was described by current and former law enforcement officials as a campaign of intimidation against agents insufficiently loyal to Trump.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Devlin |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Fiery Directives Under Trump's Justice Dept. Signal a Significant Shift |work=The New York Times |id={{ProQuest|3165135328}} |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/politics/justice-dept-trump-bondi.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211173208/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/politics/justice-dept-trump-bondi.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Staffers were dispatched across federal agencies to look for anti-Trump sentiment among government agencies. Some new hires were told to provide examples of what they did to help Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, when their moment of "MAGA revelation" occurred, prove their "enthusiasm", be positively referenced by confirmed loyalists, and provide access to their social media handles. ''The Associated Press'' described the intense loyalty tests as a way to separate individuals following traditional Republican orthodoxy from Trump's MAGA ideology.<ref name="maga_loyalty" /> Candidates for top national intelligence and law enforcement positions were given Trump loyalty tests. Candidates were asked to give yes or no responses to whether or not January 6 was an "inside job" and whether or not the 2020 election was "stolen". Those that did not say yes to both answers were not hired.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nakashima |first1=Ellen |last2=Strobel |first2=Warren P. |date=February 9, 2025 |title=U.S. intelligence, law enforcement candidates face Trump loyalty test |newspaper=The Washington Post |id={{ProQuest|3164732142}} |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/08/trump-administration-job-candidates-loyalty-screening/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209194956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/08/trump-administration-job-candidates-loyalty-screening/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Advisors=== Trump had assistance from Elon Musk, other political operatives, and an antisemitism task force.<ref name=WSJed>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/anti-semitism-task-force-who-247c234e |title=The Little-Known Bureaucrats Tearing Through American Universities |last1=Whyte |first1=Liz Essley |last2=Belkin |first2=Douglas |last3=Randazzo |first3=Sara |date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=April 19, 2025 |access-date=April 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419025429/https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/anti-semitism-task-force-who-247c234e |url-status=live }}</ref> Advisors were Christopher Rufo in education; Stephen Miller in domestic policy and immigration; and four co-authors of Project 2025: Russell Vought, Peter Navarro, Paul S. Atkins, and Brendan Carr.<ref>{{cite journal |last=King |first=A. M. |date=2025 |title='Shocking the System' in the 21st Century: Conservative Policy Entrepreneurs and the Plan for Authoritarianism in the U.S. |journal=Social Sciences |volume=14 |issue=4 |page=235 |doi=10.3390/socsci14040235 |publisher=MDPI|doi-access=free }}</ref>
==Executive orders== {{see also|List of executive orders in the second Trump presidency}} thumb|Trump signed the most first-day executive orders of recent presidents. First-day executive orders by previous ten presidents, 1969–2025 Trump began office with the most executive orders ever signed on the first day of a United States presidential term,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rakich |first=Nathaniel |date=January 21, 2025 |title=No, Trump can't cancel the 2028 election. But he could still weaken democracy. |work=FiveThirtyEight |url=https://abcnews.go.com/538/trump-cancel-2028-election-weaken-democracy/story?id=117807079 |access-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124104348/https://abcnews.go.com/538/trump-cancel-2028-election-weaken-democracy/story?id=117807079 |url-status=dead |quote=He issued more executive orders on Day 1 than any previous president}}</ref> at 26 executive orders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executive Orders and Documents of the President (Trump) |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/search?conditions%5Btype%5D%5B%5D=PRESDOCU&order=newest |access-date=February 15, 2025 |website=The Federal Register |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208103313/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/search?conditions%5Btype%5D%5B%5D=PRESDOCU&order=newest |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump's signing of executive orders was described as a "shock and awe" campaign that tested the limits of executive authority.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wootson |first=Cleve R. Jr. |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Trump's executive orders already face pushback, legal challenges |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/21/trump-executive-orders-challenges-lawsuits/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 23, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123030108/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/21/trump-executive-orders-challenges-lawsuits/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Matt |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Trump's New Executive Orders Show His Power—and His Limits |work=Barron's |url=https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/trump-executive-orders-limits-d3d67243 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 23, 2025 |quote=President Donald Trump's first day back on the job began with what has been dubbed a shock and awe campaign, a burst of dozens of executive orders meant to jump-start his political and economic strategies. |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124115259/https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/trump-executive-orders-limits-d3d67243 |url-status=live }}</ref> Four days into Trump's second term, analysis conducted by ''Time'' found that nearly two-thirds of his executive actions "mirror or partially mirror" proposals from Project 2025,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Popli |first=Nik |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Trump's Early Actions Mirror Project 2025 |url=https://time.com/7209901/donald-trump-executive-actions-project-2025/ |access-date=January 25, 2025 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125064527/https://time.com/7209901/donald-trump-executive-actions-project-2025/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> which was seconded with analysis from Bloomberg Government.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tamari |first1=Jonathan |last2=Lee |first2=Brandon |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Trump's Early Actions Mirror Project 2025 Plan He Once Dismissed |work=Bloomberg Government |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-24/trump-s-early-actions-mirror-project-2025-plan-he-once-dismissed |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 24, 2025 |quote=In all, more than 30 out of Trump's 47 initial executive actions as of Thursday afternoon match or partially align with ideas promoted in Project 2025, the analysis found. |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508004343/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-24/trump-s-early-actions-mirror-project-2025-plan-he-once-dismissed |url-status=live }}</ref>
The signing of many of Trump's executive orders are being challenged in court, with the executive orders affecting federal funding, federal employee status, immigration, federal programs, government data availability, and more. The majority of the early cases were filed in response to executive orders related to the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Executive Order 14158, and the actions taken by Elon Musk and the DOGE team towards federal agencies described as cost-cutting measures.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Keith |first1=Tamara |last2=Martínez |first2=A |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Trump and Musk appear together to defend the cost-cutting efforts of DOGE |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/nx-s1-5293519/trump-and-musk-appear-together-to-defend-the-cost-cutting-efforts-of-doge |access-date=February 22, 2025 |work=NPR |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214081836/https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/nx-s1-5293519/trump-and-musk-appear-together-to-defend-the-cost-cutting-efforts-of-doge |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Economic issues, trade, and tariffs == {{see also|Economic policy of the second Trump administration}} {{multiple image | total_width = 450 | image1 = 2025- Unemployment rate - US.svg | caption1 = US unemployment rate through 2025; unemployment has increased during Trump's term from 4% to 4.3% | image2 = 2021- Change in non-farm employment - US.svg | caption2 = Change in non-farm employment rate from 2021 through 2025 }}
=== GDP growth rate === In the first quarter of 2025, economic growth was a negative 0.5%. CBS News said the decline occurred because "businesses scrambled to bring in foreign goods ahead of new U.S. tariffs".<ref name="CBS, 2nd Quarter GDP, Aug 28, 2025">{{cite news |date=August 28, 2025 |title=GDP grew faster in the second quarter than initially estimated |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gdp-economy-growth-second-quarter-faster/ |work=CBS News |archive-date=December 13, 2025 |access-date=December 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213062509/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gdp-economy-growth-second-quarter-faster/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Second quarter economic growth was 3.8% annualized (as if continuing for the full year).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/us-second-quarter-gdp-growth-revised-sharply-higher-2025-09-25/ |title=US economy notches fastest growth pace in nearly two years in second quarter |work=Reuters News |date=September 25, 2025 }}</ref> In the third quarter, real GDP grew to 4.3%, the fastest rate in two years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchwald |first=Elisabeth |date=December 23, 2025 |title=The US economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years as wealthier Americans kept spending |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/economy/us-gdp-q3 |access-date=January 18, 2026 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204120444/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/economy/us-gdp-q3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Inflation === By May 2026, during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, inflation reached its highest level in three years according to government date, and consumer confidence reported by the Consumer Sentiment Index reached record lows.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zann |first=Max |date=May 12, 2026 |title=Inflation jumps to its highest level in three years |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.com/Business/inflation-report-show-latest-prices-fuel-costs-surge/story?id=132842452 |access-date=May 12, 2026}}</ref>
=== One Big Beautiful Bill Act === {{main|One Big Beautiful Bill Act}}
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a key part of the Trump administration's economic agenda. It permanently extends the individual tax rates Trump signed into law in 2017, which were set to expire at the end of 2025. It raises the cap on the state and local tax deduction to $40,000 for taxpayers making less than $500,000, with the cap reverting to $10,000 after five years. It includes several tax deductions for tips, overtime pay, auto loans, and creates Trump accounts, allowing parents to create tax-deferred accounts for the benefit of their children, all set to expire in 2028. It includes a permanent $200 increase in the child tax credit, a 1%{{nbsp}}tax on remittances, and a tax hike on investment income from college endowments. It phases out some clean energy tax credits that were included in the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, and promotes fossil fuels over renewable energy. It increases a tax credit for advanced semiconductor manufacturing and repeals a tax on silencers.<ref name="Cooper and Dayen 2025">{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Ryan |last2=Dayen |first2=David |date=July 7, 2025 |title=Ten Bizarre Things Hidden in Trump's Big Beautiful Bill |url=https://prospect.org/politics/2025-07-07-ten-bizarre-things-hidden-in-trumps-big-beautiful-bill/ |access-date=July 8, 2025 |website=The American Prospect |archive-date=July 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707181350/https://prospect.org/politics/2025-07-07-ten-bizarre-things-hidden-in-trumps-big-beautiful-bill/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The OBBBA has been criticized for limiting health insurance coverage and resulting in an upwards transfer of wealth.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2025 |title=Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO says |url=https://apnews.com/article/cbo-deficits-tax-cuts-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-64d7de49aef62ba07b7f6f45c1ca73d1 |access-date=December 18, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=November 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112014940/https://apnews.com/article/cbo-deficits-tax-cuts-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-64d7de49aef62ba07b7f6f45c1ca73d1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ngo |first1=Madeleine |last2=Sanger-Katz |first2=Margot |date=August 11, 2025 |title=Richest Gain Most and Poorest Face Steepest Cuts Under G.O.P. Law, Analysis Finds |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/politics/trump-gop-policy-bill-rich-poor.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020154332/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/politics/trump-gop-policy-bill-rich-poor.html |archive-date=October 20, 2025 |access-date=December 18, 2025 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> It is expected to add a total of $3 trillion to the national debt of the United States by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.<ref name="AP, Budget Act, July 5, 2025">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b |title=What's in the tax and spending bill that Trump has signed into law |work=AP News |date=July 5, 2025 |archive-date=August 2, 2025 |access-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802193328/https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nbcoverview">{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2025 |title=Here's what's in the Senate's version of the 'big, beautiful bill' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/trump-big-beautiful-bill-senate-tax-medicaid-cuts-rcna216024 |website=NBC News |access-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-date=August 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801100927/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/trump-big-beautiful-bill-senate-tax-medicaid-cuts-rcna216024 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 29, 2025 |title=Senate Bill Would Add at Least $3.3 Trillion to Debt, Budget Office Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/us/politics/senate-bill-trump-cbo-score-debt.html |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=August 2, 2025 |access-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802203218/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/us/politics/senate-bill-trump-cbo-score-debt.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Government shutdown in October–November 2025 === {{See also|2025 United States federal government shutdown}} Because the Senate could not muster 60 votes per filibuster rules, funding for non-essential services ended October 1, 2025. Throughout October and into November, Senate had 14 votes, all of which failed to reach the 60-vote threshold. The shutdown ended on November 12.<ref name="The Hill, Senate rejects measures to end shutdown, Oct 3, 2025">{{cite web |date=October 3, 2025 |title=Senate rejects measures to end shutdown |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5537624-government-shutdown-senate-vote/amp/ |website=The Hill |access-date=October 6, 2025 |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003203315/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5537624-government-shutdown-senate-vote/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CBS News, How the longest, Nov 13, 2025">{{cite web |date=November 13, 2025 |title=How the longest government shutdown in history came to an end |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-the-longest-government-shutdown-in-history-came-to-an-end/ |website=CBS News |access-date=November 22, 2025 |archive-date=November 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114013128/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-the-longest-government-shutdown-in-history-came-to-an-end/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In early October, Senate majority leader John Thune said, "We have a majority of senators — 55 senators have already voted for this clean, short-term, nonpartisan CR," referring to a continuing resolution. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke from the floor of the Senate and said 70% of Americans supported keeping the same money for the Affordable Care Act, informally "Obamacare". In addition, Schumer claimed that a survey by KFF showed that 57% of MAGA supporters also favored keeping the same money for Obamacare.<ref name="The Hill, Senate rejects measures to end shutdown, Oct 3, 2025" />
The governments of 25 states sued the Trump administration regarding SNAP benefits ("food stamps") which were expected to run out on the first day of November. 1 out of 8 Americans rely on these benefits. SNAP stands for "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program".<ref name="Detroit Free Press, Nov 6, 2025">{{Cite news |date=November 6, 2025 |title=Judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP; Trump appeals |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/11/06/federal-government-november-snap-payments-shutdown/87125948007/ |work=Detroit Free Press |archive-date=November 6, 2025 |access-date=November 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251106183723/https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/11/06/federal-government-november-snap-payments-shutdown/87125948007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The administration says that they are prohibited by law from using the "contingency fund" for normal, operational expenses because this money is purposed for extraordinary events such as Hurricane Melissa. The states suing say this both goes against the wording of the law and is a "dramatic change", pointing out that the contingency fund was used for SNAP benefits during the 2019 shutdown.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 28, 2025 |title=25 states sue Trump administration over SNAP food stamp freeze during shutdown |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/snap-food-stamps-lawsuit-25-states-trump-administration/ |work=CBS News |archive-date=November 3, 2025 |access-date=November 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251103185421/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/snap-food-stamps-lawsuit-25-states-trump-administration/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On October 31, a federal judge in Rhode Island cited the Administrative Procedure Act and temporarily ordered the Trump administration to continue SNAP funding. A second federal judge in Boston said the Trump administration's plan to stop SNAP funding during the shutdown was against the law, but did not order payments to resume.<ref name="ABC News, asked court to 'clarify' SNAP ruling, Oct 31">{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2025 |title=Trump says he has asked court to 'clarify' SNAP ruling with funding set to lapse |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-rules-trumps-attempt-suspend-snap-funding-unlawful/story?id=127069497 |work=ABC News |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |access-date=November 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113052850/https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-rules-trumps-attempt-suspend-snap-funding-unlawful/story?id=127069497 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On November 7, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily froze the lower court order requiring full payment of SNAP.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 2025 |title=Supreme Court temporarily freezes order requiring Trump administration to provide full SNAP payments to millions of Americans |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-trump-administration-full-snap-benefits/ |work=CBS News |archive-date=November 8, 2025 |access-date=November 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251108060544/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-trump-administration-full-snap-benefits/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ABC News stated, "at least nine states had already begun issuing SNAP benefits under the direction of the federal agency that operates SNAP," reportedly including California, Wisconsin, Kansas, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 2025 |title=Supreme Court justice temporarily pauses order requiring Trump administration to fully fund SNAP by end of Friday |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-administration-asks-appeals-court-immediately-halt-ruling/story?id=127294307 |work=ABC News |archive-date=November 8, 2025 |access-date=November 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251108174806/https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-administration-asks-appeals-court-immediately-halt-ruling/story?id=127294307 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In early November, Trump called for ending the Senate's rule and tradition of the filibuster.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 5, 2025 |title=Thune says ending filibuster 'not happening' despite Trump's demands |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/after-breakfast-trump-thune-reiterates-filibuster-happening-despite/story?id=127222696 |work=ABC News |archive-date=November 24, 2025 |access-date=November 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124100814/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/after-breakfast-trump-thune-reiterates-filibuster-happening-despite/story?id=127222696 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 6, some Republican senators talked about making a "clean" Continuing Resolution one of the exceptions to the filibuster rule, but it's estimated that this change is unlikely.<ref>2nd article — [https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/government-shutdown-latest-senate-talks-flights/ "Republicans discuss narrow filibuster change to end shutdown but unlikely to adopt it, sources say"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112005533/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/government-shutdown-latest-senate-talks-flights/ |date=November 12, 2025 }}, CBS News, November 6, 2025.</ref>
On November 9, the Senate achieved a 60-vote compromise of a "mini-bus" which will fund certain departments through next September and the rest of government through January 30. SNAP would be funded through September 2026. Senate Republicans agreed to have a vote on the Obamacare funding by the 2nd week of December. Eight Democrats voted with Republicans to end the shutdown.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 10, 2025 |title=These 8 senators broke with Democrats on the government shutdown deal. Here's how they explain it |url=https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-8-democrats-e83180c0b69642a00a234c244d9ea76e |work=AP News |archive-date=November 11, 2025 |access-date=November 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111045739/https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-8-democrats-e83180c0b69642a00a234c244d9ea76e |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 12, the House passed the bill, 222 to 209. Trump then signed it into law.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ferris |first1=Sarah |title=President Trump signs bill to reopen government, ending longest shutdown in US history |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/politics/government-shutdown-funding-bill-house-vote |website=CNN |date=November 12, 2025 |access-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113010840/https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/politics/government-shutdown-funding-bill-house-vote |url-status=live }}</ref> CBS News said, "The moderates viewed the deal — after Republicans leaders refused Schumer's offer — as the best possible offer they could secure, arguing that continuing the shutdown would only inflict more pain without any hopes of a better deal." In addition, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) was won over by a new continuing resolution coming from the White House which reversed the October layoffs.<ref name="CBS News, How the longest, Nov 13, 2025" />
=== Government funding starting January 30, 2026 === {{main|2026 United States federal government shutdowns}} On January 8, 2026, the House of Representatives voted 397 - 28 for a three-bill package, known as a "minibus", which House and Senate negotiators had put forward earlier that week.<ref name="CBS, House approves partial funding package, Jan 8, 2026">{{cite news |date=January 8, 2026 |title=House approves partial funding package as Congress races to avoid another shutdown |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-government-funding-package-congress-shutdown/ |website=CBS News |archive-date=January 11, 2026 |access-date=January 15, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111110212/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-government-funding-package-congress-shutdown/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
There was a partial shutdown from January 31 till February 3, 2026. On February 3, the House passed and President Trump signed the Senate version to fund the United States government through September, which the exception of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) only being funded through February 13. This is the result of disagreement between Democrats and Republicans over how to move forward from the situation in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<ref name="NBC, Trump signs bill to end government shutdown, Feb 3, 2026">{{cite news |date=February 3, 2026 |website=NBC News |title=Trump signs bill to end government shutdown and fund DHS for two weeks |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-path-end-government-shutdown-tuesday-dhs-trump-rcna257138 |archive-date=February 7, 2026 |access-date=February 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260207032332/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-path-end-government-shutdown-tuesday-dhs-trump-rcna257138 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the end, 21 House Democrats had voted for the funding bill and 21 House Republicans had voted against it.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 3, 2026 |website=AP News |title=Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown, setting stage for next fight |url=https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-ice-funding-471e55ba4c3247051739ee1b50b2857a |archive-date=February 5, 2026 |access-date=February 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205221206/https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-ice-funding-471e55ba4c3247051739ee1b50b2857a |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== DHS partial shutdown starting February 14, 2026 === A partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security began on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Most of the government employees affected will be expected to keep working, but their paychecks may be delayed depending on the length of the shutdown. This affects the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).<ref name="ABC News, Partial government shutdown hits DHS, Feb 13, 2026">{{Cite news |date=February 13, 2026 |title=Partial government shutdown hits DHS: What to know about negotiations, potential impacts |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.com/Politics/dhs-poised-shut-negotiations-potential-impacts/story?id=130143768 |archive-date=February 15, 2026 |access-date=February 15, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215032100/https://abcnews.com/Politics/dhs-poised-shut-negotiations-potential-impacts/story?id=130143768 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The disagreement between Republicans and Democrats in Congress pertains most recently to the situation in Minneapolis, Minnesota and more generally to immigration enforcement policies and actions by the Trump administration.<ref name="ABC News, Partial government shutdown hits DHS, Feb 13, 2026"/>
Democrats are asking for judicial warrants before agents can enter private property, a ban on ICE agents wearing face masks, the mandatory use of body cams, and new laws for use-of-force standards.<ref name="ABC News, Partial government shutdown hits DHS, Feb 13, 2026"/> In fact, both President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have spoken in favor of body cams starting in Minneapolis and going nationwide as funding becomes available.<ref name="CBS, officers in Minneapolis will start wearing body cams, Feb 2, 2026">{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2026 |work=CBS News |title=All immigration officers in Minneapolis will start wearing body cameras, Noem says |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-officers-minneapolis-body-cameras/ |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |access-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203003325/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-officers-minneapolis-body-cameras/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Trade and tariffs=== {{main|Tariffs in the second Trump administration}} [[File:Meeting between Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EC, and Donald Trump, President of the United States - 2025 (1).jpg|thumb|Trump with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland on the day of the signing of the US-EU trade agreement, July 27, 2025]] Trump has been a strong proponent of tariffs both during his campaign and as president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Michael |title=Donald Trump vows to impose 25% tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/25/trump-tariff-canada-mexico/76576835007/ |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126153823/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/25/trump-tariff-canada-mexico/76576835007/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Trump's tariffs have launched global trade wars. Here's a timeline of how we got here |url=https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-a9d714eea677488ef9397547d838dbd0 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716021744/https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-a9d714eea677488ef9397547d838dbd0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Throughout the first 100 days of his presidency, he implemented tariffs on multiple different countries, though mainly China, Mexico, and Canada, leading to retaliation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2025 |title=Trump's trade war draws swift retaliation with new tariffs from Mexico, Canada and China |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
On April 2, 2025, a day Trump nicknamed "Liberation Day", he announced a 10% universal import duty on all goods brought into the US (even higher for some trade partners), before ordering a 90-day pause shortly after drops in the market.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Trump limits tariffs on most nations for 90 days, raises taxes on Chinese imports |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-stock-market-china-recession-deals-e8e54a68397e6829e1d27552a1d7bfb9 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709083338/https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-stock-market-china-recession-deals-e8e54a68397e6829e1d27552a1d7bfb9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Towfighi |first=John |date=April 2, 2025 |title=Stock futures plunge as investors digest Trump's tariffs |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/business/us-stock-market |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709065415/https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/business/us-stock-market |url-status=live }}</ref> The Trump administration promised it would achieve 90 trade deals during this period, though only managed to achieve two by the end of the deadline, July 9, as well as ongoing negotiations with China, extending the window until August 1.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2025 |title=Trump's trade blitz produces few deals but lots of uncertainty |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-deadline-japan-south-korea-trade-7ea94de216329a9b011a3d3951ae5963 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709101228/https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-deadline-japan-south-korea-trade-7ea94de216329a9b011a3d3951ae5963 |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump threatened to raise tariffs on multiple countries after the first deadline was met, including Japan and South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Trump threatens more than a dozen countries with new tariffs by Aug. 1 - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-japan-korea-tariffs-august-1/ |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=July 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708173423/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-japan-korea-tariffs-august-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{multiple image | total_width = 650 | image1 = 2025- Manufacturing activity monthly (US).svg | caption1 = Upon imposing the highest U.S. tariffs since the Great Depression (called "Liberation Day" in April 2025), Trump claimed that "jobs and factories will come roaring back". However, manufacturing employment declined every month for the rest of the year.<ref name=WashPost_20260115>{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=David J. |title=Trump's promised manufacturing boom is a bust so far |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/01/15/trump-manufacturing-jobs-tariffs/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 15, 2026}} Source credits: "Institute of Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index".</ref> | image2 = 2025- Consumer Price Index - monthly.svg | caption2 = Though Trump claimed in December 2025 that "inflation has stopped", the consumer price index (CPI) began increasing in the months following his April 2025 announcement of tariffs.<ref name="CNN_CPI_20251211">{{cite news |last1=Dale |first1=Daniel |date=December 11, 2025 |title=Analysis: How the White House is using misleading comparisons to make inflation sound better |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/politics/inflation-trump-karoline-leavitt-prices |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217063806/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/politics/inflation-trump-karoline-leavitt-prices |archive-date=December 17, 2025 |agency=CNN}} ●{{nbsp}}Data from BLS: {{cite web |title=12-month percentage change, Consumer Price Index, selected categories |url=https://www.bls.gov/charts/consumer-price-index/consumer-price-index-by-category-line-chart.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217065215/https://www.bls.gov/charts/consumer-price-index/consumer-price-index-by-category-line-chart.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2025 |publisher=US Bureau of Labor Statistics}} ●{{nbsp}}Higher-precision data from Federal Reserve: {{cite web |title=Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average (CPIAUCSL) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1LiHz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217070037/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1LiHz |archive-date=December 17, 2025 |publisher=US Federal Reserve, St. Louis office}}</ref> | image3= 2025- Consumer sentiment (US).svg |caption3= Consumer sentiment declined during the early part of Trump's second term.<ref name=UMich_ConsumerSentiment>Data from {{cite web |title=Surveys of Consumers / Charts / Index of Consumer Sentiment |url=https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/charts.html |publisher=University of Michigan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260411031000/https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/charts.html |archive-date=April 11, 2026 |url-status=live}} (Download PDF chart, or download data in Excel spreadsheet.)</ref> The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment reached a record low in April 2026.<ref name=Axios_20260411>{{cite news |last1=Irwin |first1=Neil |title=Consumers are in a foul, foul mood |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/consumers-michigan-economy-sentiment |work=Axios |date=April 11, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260411040109/https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/consumers-michigan-economy-sentiment |archive-date=April 11, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> }}
{{multiple image | total_width = 450 | image3 = 2025- US farm product exports to China.svg | caption3 = Trump asserted tariffs on Chinese goods in February and April 2025, igniting a trade war that injected uncertainty as China turned to other sources.<ref name=Grist_20260121>{{cite magazine |last1=Garza |first1=Frida |title=The consequences of Trump's war on climate in 7 charts / Trump's trade war hit U.S. farmers hard |url=https://grist.org/politics/the-consequences-of-trumps-war-on-climate-in-7-charts/ |magazine=Grist |date=January 21, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123222532/https://grist.org/politics/the-consequences-of-trumps-war-on-climate-in-7-charts/ |archive-date=January 23, 2026 |url-status=live}} ''Grist'' credits: "Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (GATS)"</ref> | image4 = 2025- US Dollar Index.svg | caption4 = In January 2026, the US dollar reached its lowest point in four years.<ref name=FRED_202601>{{cite web |title=Nominal Broad U.S. Dollar Index (DTWEXBGS) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DTWEXBGS |publisher=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127155853/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DTWEXBGS |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |date=January 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> A lower dollar makes US goods less expensive abroad, but it also makes foreign products more expensive in the US and thus tends to increase inflation.<ref name=Politico_20260127>{{cite news |last1=Sutton |first1=Sam |title=The dollar is sinking. Trump thinks it's great. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/27/the-dollar-is-sinking-trump-thinks-its-great-00750307 |newspaper=Politico |date=January 27, 2026}}</ref> }}
==== Immediate impact on market ==== Tariffs were primarily absorbed by importers by compressing profit margins. Oxford Economics estimated that tariffs contributed about 0.4 percentage points to the 2025 September Consumer Price Index's annual rate of 3.0%, keeping inflation above the Federal Reserve's target. Corporate earnings were significantly affected, with global companies reporting more than $35 billion in tariff-related costs ahead of the third-quarter earnings season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lawder |first=David |date=November 3, 2025 |title=Supreme Court cannot stop all of Trump's tariffs. Deal with it, officials say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/supreme-court-wont-stop-trumps-tariffs-deal-with-it-officials-say-2025-11-03/ |access-date=November 11, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref>[[File:TSMC CC Wei and Trump 2025.png|thumb|TSMC chairman and CEO C. C. Wei standing next to President Trump and Howard Lutnick, announcing that TSMC is planning to invest in the U.S., March 3, 2025]]
==== ''Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump'' ==== On August 29, 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that many of the Trump tariffs were invalid. The Appeals Court had ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (1977), did not grant the broad powers which the Trump administration was claiming. This decision did not affect some specific tariffs, such as steel or aluminum which were increased under other presidential authority.<ref name="BBC, US court rules many, August 29, 2025">{{Cite news |date=August 29, 2025 |title=US court rules many of Trump's global tariffs are illegal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgj7jxkq58o.amp |work=BBC |archive-date=August 30, 2025 |access-date=August 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830020531/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgj7jxkq58o.amp |url-status=live }}</ref>
On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court decided in ''Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump'' that the IEEPA did not authorise the president to impose tariffs. All tariffs imposed under IEEPA were struck down.<ref name="cnn decision">{{cite news | url = https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/20/politics/supreme-court-tariffs | title = Supreme Court rules that Trump's sweeping emergency tariffs are illegal | first = Jon | last = Fritze | date = February 20, 2026 | accessdate = February 20, 2026 | work = CNN }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=February 20, 2026|title=Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs, rebuking president's signature economic policy|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/20/supreme-court-trump-tariffs-ruling.html|access-date=February 20, 2026}}</ref>
==== China ==== On May 12, the United States and China announced that tariffs would be reduced for a period of 90 days. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would be reduced from 145% to 30% and Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods would be reduced from 125% to 10%.<ref name="BBC, Trump says US-China relations 'reset,' May 12, 2025">{{cite web | title=Trump says US-China relations 'reset' as markets surge on tariff pause | website=BBC | date=May 12, 2025 | author1=Jenna Moon, editing | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cedy09wq25qt | access-date=May 12, 2025 | archive-date=May 13, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513023526/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cedy09wq25qt | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ABC News, Dow closes up 1,160 points, May 12, 2025">{{cite web | title=Dow closes up 1,160 points as US and China agree to slash tariffs | website=ABC News | date=May 12, 2025 | author1=Max Zahn | quote=The U.S. agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China committed to reduce tariffs on U.S. products from 125% to 10% | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-stocks-soar-us-china-agree-slash-tariffs/story?id=121708443 | access-date=May 12, 2025 | archive-date=May 12, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512200244/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-stocks-soar-us-china-agree-slash-tariffs/story?id=121708443 | url-status=live }}</ref> However, this 30% is still more expensive for consumers in the United States compared to the state of affairs before Trump's initial tariffs.<ref name="NBC News, Dow adds 1,100 points, May 12, 2025">{{cite web | title=Dow adds 1,100 points, S&P 500 up 3% after the U.S. and China slash tariffs | website=NBC News | date=May 12, 2025 | author1=Rob Wile | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/markets/stocks-set-open-sharply-higher-us-china-slash-tariffs-rcna206213 | access-date=July 23, 2025 | archive-date=May 12, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512202244/https://www.nbcnews.com/business/markets/stocks-set-open-sharply-higher-us-china-slash-tariffs-rcna206213 | url-status=live }}</ref>
On August 11, 2025, this deal was extended for another 90 days.<ref name="CBS, Trump delays China tariff hike for another 90 days, August 11, 2025">{{Cite news |date=August 11, 2025 |title=Trump delays China tariff hike for another 90 days |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-china-tariff-extension-90-days-trade-war/ |work=CBS |archive-date=October 5, 2025 |access-date=October 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005015919/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-china-tariff-extension-90-days-trade-war/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== EU ==== On July 27, 2025, the United States and the European Union concluded a trade agreement, providing for 15% tariffs on European exports. The deal was announced by Trump and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at Turnberry, Scotland.<ref name=":6">{{cite news |title=US-EU tariff deal a big Trump win but not a total defeat for Brussels |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxpdv5x54ko |work=BBC News |date=July 28, 2025 |archive-date=July 28, 2025 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728022538/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxpdv5x54ko |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Donald Trump agrees trade lead with EU president after round of golf at Turnberry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93dpl0p200o |website=BBC News |access-date=July 28, 2025 |date=July 27, 2025 |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822015337/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93dpl0p200o |url-status=live }}</ref> European states committed to $750 billion in energy purchases and $600 billion in additional investments in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Trump and Von der Leyen conclude a customs agreement on EU products |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2181974/douanes-trump-europe-commerce-protectionnisme |website=ici.radio-canada.ca |date=July 27, 2025 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |archive-date=August 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801190631/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2181974/douanes-trump-europe-commerce-protectionnisme |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Middle East ==== From May 13 to 16, 2025, Donald Trump undertook a four-day visit to the Middle East, focused primarily on securing business deals and investments in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Trump's trillion-dollar trip |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/trump-saudi-uae-qatar-trillion-dollar-investments |work=Axios |archive-date=July 19, 2025 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719034653/https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/trump-saudi-uae-qatar-trillion-dollar-investments |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Broadwater |first=Luke |author-link=Luke Broadwater |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Trump again encouraged Saudi Arabia to increase its investment in the United States beyond the $600 billion over four years already pledged by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/13/us/trump-news-saudi-arabia/f6c7b7c3-c83e-55c5-a430-9400a4878565 |access-date=May 13, 2025 |work=The New York Times |ref={{Harvid|Broadwater|2025a}} |archive-date=May 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513181816/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/13/us/trump-news-saudi-arabia/f6c7b7c3-c83e-55c5-a430-9400a4878565 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 16, 2025 |title=Trump announces $200 billion in deals during UAE visit, AI agreement signed |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-heads-uae-it-hopes-advance-ai-ambitions-2025-05-15/ |work=Reuters |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724065451/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-heads-uae-it-hopes-advance-ai-ambitions-2025-05-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 16, 2025 |title=Donald Trump updates: US president ends Middle East tour with more deals |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/5/16/donald-trump-live-us-president-signs-1-4-trillion-ai-deal-with-uae |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=August 7, 2025 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250807004258/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/5/16/donald-trump-live-us-president-signs-1-4-trillion-ai-deal-with-uae |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Proposals for housing affordability === In January 2026, Trump proposed several actions and policies to make housing more affordable. These included the banning of "large institutional investors" from buying single-family homes, buying up to $200 billion of mortgage debt in order to reduce mortgage interest rates [already started earlier in the month], making 50-year mortgages available, making portable mortgages available, and allowing homebuyers to use their 401(k)s plans for down payments.<ref name="Business Insider, plans to make housing cheaper, Jan 21, 2026">{{cite news |date=January 21, 2026 |title=Trump lays out his plans to make housing cheaper in Davos speech |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-housing-davos-401k-retirement-homeownership-mortgage-interest-rates-powell-2026-1 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=January 22, 2026 |access-date=January 23, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260122025945/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-housing-davos-401k-retirement-homeownership-mortgage-interest-rates-powell-2026-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Critics say the housing shortage is the number one reason for higher prices and that addressing this shortage will take a number of state and local actions. Critics also say that making portable mortgages available would give existing homeowners an even bigger advantage over first-time buyers.<ref name="Business Insider, plans to make housing cheaper, Jan 21, 2026"/>
In January 2026, Trump announced that he had ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy up to $200 billion in mortgage-backed bonds to drive down interest rates for new mortgages. The interest rates have since fallen.<ref name="Business Insider, plans to make housing cheaper, Jan 21, 2026"/>
== Domestic policy == {{main|Domestic policy of the second Trump administration}}
===Abortion=== <!-- the following is a shorter version of the Abortion section at Domestic policy of the second Donald Trump administration -->In January 2025, Trump reinstated the Mexico City policy ("global gag rule"), which had been rescinded by the Biden administration. Since the 1980s, this rule has been put in place during Republican administrations and rescinded during Democratic administrations.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shalan |first1=Andrea |last2=Singh |first2=Kanishka |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Trump uses executive power to reinstate anti-abortion pacts |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-rejoining-international-anti-abortion-pact-2025-01-25/ |access-date=February 11, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
In May 2025, in a case involving telehealth prescriptions and the abortion-drug Mifepristone, the Trump administration asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the states involve did not have standing. This case was ''Missouri v. FDA'' brought before federal judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in the Northern District of Texas. The states involved were Missouri, Idaho, and Kansas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belluck |first=Pam |author-link=Pam Belluck |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Trump Administration Asks Court to Dismiss Abortion Pill Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/health/trump-abortion-pill-case.html |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=WHITEHURST |first1=LINDSAY |last2=BOONE |first2=REBECCA |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Trump administration asks judge to toss suit restricting access to abortion medication |url=https://apnews.com/article/abortion-medication-mifepristone-e5a89a12e98fc4c529d487daba81606a |website=AP News |language=en |access-date=June 15, 2025 |archive-date=July 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707143204/https://apnews.com/article/abortion-medication-mifepristone-e5a89a12e98fc4c529d487daba81606a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2025 |title=DEFENDANTS' REPLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO DISMISS (Missouri v. FDA) |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067.247.0_2.pdf |website=Court Listener |access-date=June 15, 2025 |archive-date=May 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529032922/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067.247.0_2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ended the rule which required hospitals to provide emergency abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2025 |title=CMS Statement on Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) |url=https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-statement-emergency-medical-treatment-and-labor-act-emtala |website=cms.gov |access-date=June 15, 2025 |archive-date=June 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616132808/https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-statement-emergency-medical-treatment-and-labor-act-emtala |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=AMANDA |first1=SEITZ |last2=MULVIHILL |first2=GEOFF |date=June 3, 2025 |title=Trump administration revokes guidance requiring hospitals to provide emergency abortions |url=https://apnews.com/article/abortion-emtala-biden-trump-emergency-hospital-3640bff165dac1d28b91e8adee7e47dd |website=AP News |language=en |access-date=June 15, 2025 |archive-date=June 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612013608/https://apnews.com/article/abortion-emtala-biden-trump-emergency-hospital-3640bff165dac1d28b91e8adee7e47dd |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stolberg |first=Sheryl Gay |author-link=Sheryl Gay Stolberg |date=June 3, 2025 |title=Trump Rescinds Biden Policy Requiring Hospitals to Provide Emergency Abortions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/us/politics/trump-emergency-abortion-rule.html |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 17, 2025 |access-date=June 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617084511/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/us/politics/trump-emergency-abortion-rule.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2025, the Food and Drug Administration approved a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, allowing three U.S. companies to produce it and expanding access to medication abortion. The administration has not implemented major new restrictions on medication abortion, although Health and Human Services officials announced a review of mifepristone's safety in response to pressure from opponents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Belluck |first=Pam |date=October 2, 2025 |title=F.D.A. Approves Generic Abortion Pill as Opponents Push Trump for New Restrictions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/health/abortion-pill-generic-fda.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=October 6, 2025 |archive-date=October 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006061258/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/health/abortion-pill-generic-fda.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FDA approves another abortion pill, sparks conservative backlash |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/11462734/fda-abortion-pill-approval/ |access-date=October 6, 2025 |website=Global News |language=en-US |archive-date=October 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004122723/https://globalnews.ca/news/11462734/fda-abortion-pill-approval/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Anti-LGBTQ+ policies=== {{main|Persecution of transgender people under the second Trump administration}} During his second presidency, Donald Trump launched a campaign of anti-LGBTQ+ and especially anti-transgender policies that eliminated federal recognition of transgender people, stripped legal protections, and sought to erase trans identities from public life.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |title=LGBTQ+ Americans consider move to Canada to escape Trump: 'I'm afraid of living here' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/07/trump-lgbtq-americans-canada |access-date=September 10, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Through a series of executive orders, the administration defined sex strictly by birth biology, banned trans people from the military,<ref>{{cite news |title=Transgender military members fight to continue serving despite Trump's ban |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/transgender-military-members-fight-to-continue-serving-despite-trumps-ban |access-date=September 10, 2025 |work=PBS |archive-date=September 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909165240/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/transgender-military-members-fight-to-continue-serving-despite-trumps-ban |url-status=live }}</ref> restricted or defunded gender-affirming healthcare, censored research and education materials,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hansford |first=Amelia |date=August 27, 2025 |title=US government orders 46 states to destroy trans education materials |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/27/trans-education-us-state-directive/ |access-date=September 1, 2025 |work=PinkNews |archive-date=September 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901010447/https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/27/trans-education-us-state-directive/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and targeted schools, universities, and cultural institutions accused of promoting "gender ideology". Additional measures barred transgender athletes from sports, limited passport access,<ref>{{cite news |date=June 17, 2025 |title=Judge blocks Trump passport policy targeting transgender people |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/17/judge-blocks-trump-passport-policy-targeting-transgender-people.html |access-date=September 2, 2025 |work=CNBC |agency=Reuters |archive-date=June 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630220454/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/17/judge-blocks-trump-passport-policy-targeting-transgender-people.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and fueled international efforts to undermine trans rights. Accompanied by rhetoric portraying transgender people as a societal threat, these policies triggered widespread legal challenges, condemnation from human rights groups, and a surge in emigration and asylum claims by transgender Americans.<ref name="auto1"/>
===Environmental and energy policy=== [[File:20201211 Billion dollar events related to climate change - U.S. -en.svg|thumb|In May 2025, NOAA/NCEI in the Trump administration indicated that it would no longer assemble the data that forms the basis of this chart.<ref name=Guardian_20250508/> NOAA/NCEI has access to non-public data, so that any private databases would be more limited in scope.<ref name=Guardian_20250508/>]] Within hours of his January 2025 inauguration, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the country from the 2015 Paris Agreement, joining only Iran, Libya and Yemen as the only countries not party to the agreement.<ref name=NYTimes_20250120>{{cite news |last1=Bearak |first1=Max |title=Trump Orders a U.S. Exit From the World's Main Climate Pact |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/climate/trump-paris-agreement-climate.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121100253/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/climate/trump-paris-agreement-climate.html |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> The same day, Trump issued Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy", which included pausing funding for the Inflation Reduction Act,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trump |first1=Donald |title=Unleashing American Energy |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-%20actions/2025/01/unleashing-american-energy/ |publisher=The White House |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=September 21, 2025 |archive-date=October 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008054819/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-%20actions/2025/01/unleashing-american-energy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> introducing uncertainty as to the energy transition.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Deberdt |first1=Raphael |last2=Letourneau |first2=Angeline |last3=Le Billon |first3=Philippe |title=Unleashing American Energy? Uncertainties in energy transition developments under a new Trump administration |journal=Energy Research & Social Science |date=August 2025 |volume=126 |article-number=104169 |doi=10.1016/j.erss.2025.104169 |bibcode=2025ERSS..12604169D |doi-access=free }}</ref> His administration soon renewed a practice from his first term: removing mentions of climate change across numerous federal government websites that had been reinstated during Joe Biden's intervening term.<ref name=Guardian_20250204>{{cite news |last1=Milman |first1=Oliver |title=Scientists brace 'for the worst' as Trump purges climate mentions from websites |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/04/trump-climate-change-federal-websites |work=The Guardian |date=February 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822145022/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/04/trump-climate-change-federal-websites |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April, Trump dismissed the scientists and experts who compile the National Climate Assessments (NCAs) that are required by Congress, the next assessment having been planned for 2028.<ref name=NYTimes_20250428>{{cite news |last1=Plumer |first1=Brad |last2=Dzomback |first2=Rebecca |title=All Authors Working on Flagship U.S. Climate Report Are Dismissed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/climate/national-climate-assessment-authors-dismissed.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430012437/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/climate/national-climate-assessment-authors-dismissed.html |archive-date=April 30, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> The globalchange.gov website—established in 1990 to host legislatively mandated reports such as the NCAs—was taken down altogether at the end of June.<ref name=NYTimes_20250701>{{cite news |last1=Dzombak |first1=Rebecca |title=National Climate Report Website Goes Dark |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/climate/national-climate-assessment.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250705202709/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/climate/national-climate-assessment.html/ |archive-date=July 5, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2025, NOAA said that its National Centers for Environmental Information would no longer update its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database beyond 2024, and that its information—going as far back as 1980—would be archived.<ref name=Guardian_20250508>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Noaa to stop tracking cost of climate crisis-fueled disasters: 'Major loss' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/08/noaa-climate-crisis-extreme-weather-disasters-trump |work=The Guardian |date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508210704/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/08/noaa-climate-crisis-extreme-weather-disasters-trump |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July, the chief administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency announced rescinding of the 2009 endangerment finding, which concluded that planet-warming greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health.<ref name=NYTimes_20250725/> (The endangerment finding is the scientific determination that underpins the federal government's legal authority to combat climate change.<ref name=NYTimes_20250725>{{cite news |last1=Joselow |first1=Maxine |last2=Friedman |first2=Lisa |title=In Game-Changing Climate Rollback, E.P.A. Aims to Kill a Bedrock Scientific Finding |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/climate/epa-endangerment-finding-repeal-proposal.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729173110/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/climate/epa-endangerment-finding-repeal-proposal.html |archive-date=July 29, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>) In concurrence with the attempt to rollback the endangerment finding, Trump's Department of Energy released an assessment titled ''A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate''. The report was assembled by five climate science contrarians and was heavily criticized for cherry-picked evidence, falsehoods, and distortions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2025 |title=Scientists give harsh grades to Trump administration work aimed at undoing a key climate finding |url=https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-epa-trump-science-endangerment-46e0519fac313ba635814b40ef638721 |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=October 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021162136/https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-epa-trump-science-endangerment-46e0519fac313ba635814b40ef638721 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Geman |first=Ben |date=September 2, 2025 |title='Mockery of science': Energy Department climate report riddled with errors |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/doe-climate-energy-environment-climate-science |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-date=September 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918014903/https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/doe-climate-energy-environment-climate-science |url-status=live }}</ref> The Union of Concerned Scientists called it "deeply flawed [and] anti-science". Climate scientist Andrew Dessler called it "a mockery of science".<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2025 |title='Not scientifically credible': Scientists repudiate Trump administration climate report |url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-09-03/leading-scientists-rebuke-trump-administrations-climate-report |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012105106/https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-09-03/leading-scientists-rebuke-trump-administrations-climate-report |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 12, 2026, the EPA formally rescinded the Endangerment Finding.<ref name=WashPost_20260212>{{cite news |last1=Spring |first1=Jake |last2=Wojahn |first2=Ambrosia |last3=Dennis |first3=Brady |title=Trump repeals U.S. government's power to regulate climate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/02/12/endangerment-finding-repeal/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 12, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213032940/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/02/12/endangerment-finding-repeal/ |archive-date=February 13, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2025, the Bureau of Land Management initiated a review of offshore wind energy regulations and revised its rules to favor fossil fuel production over renewables.<ref name=":18" />
On September 23, 2025, Trump told the United Nations General Assembly that climate change is "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world", that scientific predictions "were made by stupid people", and that renewable energy is a "scam".<ref name="TrumpUN_20250923">{{cite web |title=Trump Speaks at U.N. |url=https://www.rev.com/transcripts/trump-speaks-at-un |publisher=Rev |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926151110/https://www.rev.com/transcripts/trump-speaks-at-un |archive-date=September 26, 2025 |date=September 23, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2025, the US used trade and visa threats to sabotage an agreement for cleaner international shipping at the International Maritime Organization.<ref name=":18" />
In December 2025, Russel Vought announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last1=Mooney |first1=Attracta |last2=Hancock |first2=Alice |date=December 30, 2025 |title=Climate policies suffer despite clean energy boom |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b5e8d5ab-21cf-4b9b-98c7-4e236b95bb78 |access-date=January 8, 2026 |website=Financial Times |archive-date=January 13, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113024508/https://www.ft.com/content/b5e8d5ab-21cf-4b9b-98c7-4e236b95bb78 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Department of Energy issued several emergency orders in 2025 directing coal power plants to continue operating. The cost to ratepayers to maintain and run these aging plants was estimated at $3 billion per year.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Claire |last2=Plumer |first2=Brad |date=January 16, 2026 |title=Trump Wants to Halt Almost All Coal Plant Shutdowns. It Could Get Messy. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/climate/trump-coal-plants.html |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref>
On January 7, 2026, Trump announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and 65 other international organizations—alleging the treaties "no longer serve American interests".<ref name=NYTimes_20260107>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Somini |last2=Friedman |first2=Lisa |title=Trump Pulls Out of Global Climate Treaty |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/climate/trump-un-climate-treaty.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 7, 2025}}</ref> The next day, Trump's administration announced that the country would be withdrawing from the Green Climate Fund, which since 2010 has provided funds to help poorer nations deal with the effects of climate change.<ref name=Politico_20260108>{{cite news |last1=Schonhardt |first1=Sara |title=US ditches world's biggest climate fund, a day after spurning landmark treaty |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/08/us-ditches-worlds-biggest-climate-fund-in-storm-of-departures-by-trump-green-fund-00716136 |newspaper=Politico |date=January 8, 2026}}</ref>
On January 14, 2026, the EPA revised its regulations on air pollution so as to no longer consider the dollar value of pollution's impact on human health when determining acceptable levels of polluted air for public health.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacobo |first=Julia |title=What to know about the new EPA rule on air pollution |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-epa-rule-air-pollution/story?id=129167233 |access-date=January 14, 2026 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114025050/https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-epa-rule-air-pollution/story?id=129167233 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On May 16, 2026, Trump falsely claimed that "the United Nations TOP Climate Committee just admitted that its own projections (RCP8.5) were WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!"<ref name=CarbonBrief_20260519/> In fact, RCP{{nbsp}}8.5 is a worst-case (90th percentile) greenhouse gas emissions ''scenario''—not a specific global warming ''projection''—that had not even been developed by the UN's IPCC.<ref name=CarbonBrief_20260519>{{cite news |last1=McSweeney |first1=Robert |last2=Keating |first2=Cecilia |last3=Hausfather |first3=Zeke |title=Factcheck: Trump's false claims about the IPCC and 'RCP8.5' climate scenario |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-trumps-false-claims-about-the-ipcc-and-rcp8-5-climate-scenario/ |work=Carbon Brief |date=19 May 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260522072913/https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-trumps-false-claims-about-the-ipcc-and-rcp8-5-climate-scenario/ |archive-date=22 May 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Nuclear power ==== The Trump administration has sought to drastically expand the US's nuclear power generation, setting a goal to quadruple it by 2050. The administration seeks to revive production at decommissioned plants, such as the plant at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. It also seeks to promote the construction of new small modular reactors. The administration considers nuclear power generation a strategic priority because of its potential use in powering data centers needed to compete in the international AI development race. Experts are divided on the feasibility of Trump's nuclear power goals, with many expressing skepticism that they can be reached because of the high cost of nuclear power generation, while others say the conditions for financing nuclear power are relatively favorable. Despite efforts to increase nuclear power generation, data centers have led to steep increases in the cost of power in some communities, prompting local backlash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smyth |first=Jamie |date=January 7, 2026 |title=The Cost of America's Nuclear Revival |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9f6c4db1-559f-48e1-8c21-ac0bc1a1237c |access-date=January 12, 2026 |website=The Financial Times |archive-date=January 11, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111170155/https://www.ft.com/content/9f6c4db1-559f-48e1-8c21-ac0bc1a1237c |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Domestic deployment of military forces === {{Main|2025 deployment of federal forces in the United States}} The Trump administration has repeatedly deployed federal forces, including active-duty military personnel and federalised National Guard forces, into certain U.S. cities. Trump has given multiple explanations for the deployments, saying they are part of crackdowns on protests, civil unrest, crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration. The actions targeted Democratic Party-led cities and sparked significant controversy, with critics labeling them as abuses of power and potential violations of laws like the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump's threat to invoke Insurrection Act escalates showdown with Democratic cities |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-threat-invoke-insurrection-act-escalates-showdown-with-democratic-cities-2025-10-07/ |work=Reuters |access-date=April 9, 2026 |archive-date=November 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251102203203/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-threat-invoke-insurrection-act-escalates-showdown-with-democratic-cities-2025-10-07/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Juliana |date=October 16, 2025 |title=Where has Trump suggested sending troops? In cities run by Democratic mayors |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/10/10/nx-s1-5567177/national-guard-map-chicago-california-oregon |access-date=November 10, 2025 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyette |first=Hanna Park, Andy Rose, Chris |date=October 2, 2025 |title=What to know about Trump's latest federal deployments in Memphis, Portland and other US cities |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/us/trump-national-guard-portland-memphis-wwk-hnk |access-date=November 10, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002132400/https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/02/us/trump-national-guard-portland-memphis-wwk-hnk |url-status=live }}</ref> The moves came amidst broader expansions of the military's domestic use during the second Trump administration,<ref name="Broadwater 06112025" /> and Trump's prior comments during his presidential campaign to use the military to end civil unrest and protests without consent from state governors and target "the enemy within".<ref name="Savage 07082025" /><ref name="Pilkington 06092025" />[[File:P20250811AM-0326 President Donald Trump holds a press conference.jpg|thumb|Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel (far right) in a press conference on crime in Washington, D.C., in August 2025]]During the June 2025 Los Angeles protests against local immigration raids, Trump federalized the California National Guard and deployed them to Los Angeles along with 700 Marines under Joint Task Force 51.
Declaring a crime emergency in August 2025, the Trump administration deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2025 |title=Trump mobilizing up to 1,700 National Guard troops in 19 states in crime crackdown |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-national-guard-military-states-cities-b2812837.html |access-date=August 24, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=August 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823223237/https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-national-guard-military-states-cities-b2812837.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In September 2025, Trump announced the deployment of 150 unarmed national guardsmen to Memphis, Tennessee, saying that the city "is deeply troubled".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9v7ydn7dv1o.amp|title=Memphis next US city to see National Guard troops, Trump says|first=Ava|last=Faguy|website=bbc.com|publisher=BBC|date=September 12, 2025|access-date=September 12, 2025|archive-date=September 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912173649/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9v7ydn7dv1o.amp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-memphis-tennessee-national-guard-chicago/|title=Trump signs memo sending federal law enforcement to join Tennessee National Guard in Memphis|first=Kathryn|last=Wilson|publisher=CBS News|date=September 15, 2025|accessdate=September 15, 2025|archive-date=September 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915215441/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-memphis-tennessee-national-guard-chicago/|url-status=live}}</ref> Their presence in Memphis started on October 1.
Louisiana governor Jeff Landry requested the deployment of the National Guard for large upcoming events: the Bayou Classic college football event November 27–29, New Year Eve and Day celebrations, and Mardi Gras celebrations in February. The New Orleans police superintendent said, "We are working together and planning their deployment." New Orleans had been the site of the January 1, 2025, terrorism attack in which 14 persons lost their lives and at least 57 persons were injured.<ref name="CBS, expected in New Orleans, Oct 21">{{Cite news |date=October 21, 2025 |title=National Guard troops expected in New Orleans by late November, police superintendent says |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-guard-troops-expected-in-new-orleans-by-late-november-police-superintendent-says/ |archive-date=October 22, 2025 |access-date=October 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251022171012/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-guard-troops-expected-in-new-orleans-by-late-november-police-superintendent-says/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== FEMA === In April, the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied an extension of benefits for areas in Georgia and North Carolina which had been hit by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.<ref name="Newsweek, Trump denies FEMA aid extension, April 12, 2025">{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Trump denies FEMA aid extension in state he won three times |url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-denies-fema-aid-extension-state-he-won-three-times-2058906 |website=Newsweek |language=en |access-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412102552/https://www.newsweek.com/trump-denies-fema-aid-extension-state-he-won-three-times-2058906 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Tornadoes hit parts the state of Mississippi in March and a major disaster declaration by the federal government took more than two months, even at the request of Republican governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi.<ref name="ABC News, While Trump overhauls FEMA, May 20, 2025">{{cite web | title=While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance | website=ABC News | date=May 20, 2025 | author1=Sophie Bates | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/trump-overhauls-fema-mississippi-tornado-survivors-await-assistance-121975001 | access-date=June 2, 2025 | archive-date=June 1, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601124616/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/trump-overhauls-fema-mississippi-tornado-survivors-await-assistance-121975001 | url-status=live }}</ref> On May 23, the Trump administration approved disaster aid for areas within 8 states including Mississippi, as well as Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.<ref name="AP News, Trump approves FEMA disaster relief for 8 states, May 23, 2025">{{cite web | title=Trump approves FEMA disaster relief for 8 states | website=AP News | date=May 23, 2025 | url=https://apnews.com/article/fema-disaster-relief-trump-ddf3af914821c020b3a7762f41f5d58c | access-date=June 2, 2025 | archive-date=June 1, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601124616/https://apnews.com/article/fema-disaster-relief-trump-ddf3af914821c020b3a7762f41f5d58c | url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Health policy === {{see also|Centers for Disease Control and Prevention#Second Trump administration}} Trump and his administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda promoted various anti-science and anti-vaccine claims, which led to a resurgence of whooping cough and measles. They alleged they were working against Big Pharma.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Michelle R.|last2=Ungar|first2=Laura|date=October 21, 2025|title=Anti-science bills hit statehouses, stripping away public health protections built over a century|publisher=Associated Press|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/09/23/trump-vaccines-autism-mmr-schedule/|access-date=October 22, 2025|archive-date=September 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250923165726/https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/09/23/trump-vaccines-autism-mmr-schedule/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sun|first1=Lena H.|last2=Diamond|first2=Dan|date=October 21, 2025|title=Trump's escalating attacks on vaccines shock public health leaders|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-fluoride-kennedy-trump-science-antiscience-legislation-73af8e65f407331e8f31b2909812a004|access-date=October 22, 2025|archive-date=October 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021202516/https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-fluoride-kennedy-trump-science-antiscience-legislation-73af8e65f407331e8f31b2909812a004|url-status=live}}</ref>
On November 14, Trump announced that he would nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary. This was controversial given Kennedy's repeated endorsement of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. The director of the American Public Health Association, America's largest organization of public health professionals, said, "He is not competent by training, management skills, temperament or trust to have this job."<ref>{{cite news |title=US election live updates: Trump picks RFK Jr as health secretary and calls him 'great mind' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0lp93494g9t?page=3 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115023402/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0lp93494g9t |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reuters, Trump with RFK, Jr., December 2024">{{Cite news |author1=Tim Reid |author2=Michael Erman |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Trump to discuss ending childhood vaccination programs with RFK Jr. |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-discuss-ending-childhood-vaccination-programs-with-rfk-jr-2024-12-12/ |work=Reuters |quote=Research, including a 2014 meta-analysis involving more than 1.2 million children, found no association between vaccines and autism.}}</ref>
On February 18, Trump signed an executive order calling for the policy recommendations for reducing the out-of-pocket costs of In Vitro Fertilisation.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last1=Superville |first1=Darline |last2=Price |first2=Michelle L. |date=February 18, 2025 |title=Trump signs order to study how to expand IVF and calls for 'radical transparency' from government |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-order-musk-hannity-143316eda581ac466cd923cdf4568d87 |access-date=February 18, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=February 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218163415/https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-order-musk-hannity-143316eda581ac466cd923cdf4568d87 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 18, 2025 |title=Trump announces executive order on IVF treatments |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-announces-executive-order-on-ivf-treatments-232306757687 |work=NBC News |archive-date=February 19, 2025 |access-date=February 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219040255/https://www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-announces-executive-order-on-ivf-treatments-232306757687 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 25, Trump signed an executive order to improve healthcare cost transparency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Trump signs healthcare price transparency executive order |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-signs-price-transparency-executive-order-2025-02-25/ |work=Reuters |access-date=February 27, 2025 |archive-date=March 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303064619/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-signs-price-transparency-executive-order-2025-02-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:P20250716MR-0146 President Donald Trump attends a signing ceremony for the HALT Fentanyl Act.jpg|thumb|Trump with families of overdose victims after signing the HALT Fentanyl Act, July 16, 2025]] By late April, the Trump administration had placed on leave and then temporarily rehired federal employees in the NIOSH, or National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, who had been involved in monitoring for black lung disease.<ref name="ABC News, 'I want to live': Coal miners speak, April 29, 2025">{{cite web | title='I want to live': Coal miners speak out as Trump strips away health protections | website=ABC News | date=April 29, 2025 | author1=Dr Mark Abdelmalek | author2=Lauren Lantry | author3=Lucien Bruggeman | url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-coal-miners-speak-trump-strips-health-protections/story?id=121257399 | access-date=May 12, 2025 | archive-date=May 14, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514050315/https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-coal-miners-speak-trump-strips-health-protections/story?id=121257399 | url-status=live }}</ref>
On June 9, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. He claimed that it "has become little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine". Senator Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor, said "now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion." These firings came before a scheduled June 25 meeting in which the committee was expected to issue new recommendations for vaccines including COVID-19.<ref name="CBS News, RFK Jr. removes every member of CDC vaccine advisory committee, June 9, 2025">{{cite web |title=RFK Jr. removes every member of CDC vaccine advisory committee |website=CBS News |date=June 9, 2025 |author1=Alexander Tin |author2=Caitlin Yilek |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-removes-members-cdc-immunization-advisory-committee-acip/ |access-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610022030/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-removes-members-cdc-immunization-advisory-committee-acip/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC News, RFK Jr sacks entire US vaccine committee, June 10, 2025">{{cite web |title=RFK Jr sacks entire US vaccine committee |website=BBC News |date=June 10, 2025 |author1=Mike Wendling |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyge27y2g9o.amp |access-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=June 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610225723/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyge27y2g9o.amp |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{see also|2025 United States government online resource removals}} <!-- To give proper credit, the following material is copied, with some trimming, from Wiki article "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", subsection "Second Trump administration" --> In late January, several CDC websites, pages, and datasets related to HIV and STI prevention, and LGBT and youth health became unavailable for viewing.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Goodman |first2=Jen |last2=Christensen |first3=Nick |last3=Valencia |first4=Jacqueline |last4=Howard |first5=Deidre |last5=McPhillips |first1=Brenda |date=January 31, 2025 |title=CDC websites, datasets taken down as agency complies with Trump executive orders |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/31/health/cdc-websites-gender-lgbtq-datasets/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511043220/https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/31/health/cdc-websites-gender-lgbtq-datasets/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Will |date=January 31, 2025 |title=Trump administration purges websites across federal health agencies |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/01/31/nx-s1-5282274/trump-administration-purges-health-websites |access-date=February 1, 2025 |work=NPR |archive-date=January 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131233447/https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/01/31/nx-s1-5282274/trump-administration-purges-health-websites |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Faust">{{Cite news |last=Faust |first=Jeremy |title=CDC Researchers Ordered to Retract Papers Submitted to All Journals |url=https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/faustfiles/114043 |work=MedPage Today |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202131402/https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/faustfiles/114043 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In mid-February, around 1,300 CDC employees were laid off.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2025 |title=Layoffs hit many at CDC lab program that was started to address previous failures |url=https://apnews.com/article/cdc-lab-layoffs-b9e13d62d0da00611f84b7762be0c7b9 |website=AP News |language=en |access-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511043220/https://apnews.com/article/cdc-lab-layoffs-b9e13d62d0da00611f84b7762be0c7b9 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April, it was reported that among the reductions were the elimination of the Freedom of Information Act team, the Division of Violence Prevention, labs involved in testing for antibiotic resistance, and the team responsible for recalls of hazardous infant products. Additional cuts affected the technology branch of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, which was established during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="sdfsadfg">{{cite news |last=Chidi |first=George |title='No guidance and no leadership': chaos and confusion at CDC after mass firings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/hhs-mass-firings |work=The Guardian |date=April 8, 2025 |access-date=April 13, 2025}}</ref>
On June 25, 2025, Kennedy announced that the U.S. was stopping its donations to the Gavi vaccine alliance, until Gavi can better demonstrate vaccine safety.<ref name="AP News, Kennedy says US is pulling funding, June 26, 2025">{{cite web | title=Kennedy says US is pulling funding from global vaccine group Gavi | website=AP News | date=June 26, 2025 | url=https://apnews.com/article/us-vaccines-gavi-kennedy-6b5342dcf0473ddd4fcda352699dab65 | access-date=June 26, 2025 | archive-date=June 26, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250626185402/https://apnews.com/article/us-vaccines-gavi-kennedy-6b5342dcf0473ddd4fcda352699dab65 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CBS, RFK Jr.'s halt to U.S. funding, June 26, 2025">{{cite web | title=RFK Jr.'s halt to U.S. funding for Gavi vaccine alliance a "travesty and a nightmare," experts warn | website=CBS | date=June 26, 2025 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-us-funding-gavi-vaccine-alliance-travesty-experts-warn/}}</ref> The United States had been providing approximately 13 percent of Gavi's budget.<ref name="The Guardian, RFK Jr will be 'personally responsible', June 26, 2025">{{cite web | title=RFK Jr will be 'personally responsible' for children's deaths by halting vaccine alliance funding, experts say | website=The Guardian | date=June 26, 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/26/rfk-jr-vaccines}}</ref>
On August 5, 2025, Secretary Kennedy announced that he was stopping 22 vaccine projects using mRNA technology, including Covid, RSV, and bird flu. A critic of this funding halt pointed out that mRNA vaccines have the potential for faster roll-out.<ref name="AP, RFK Jr. pulls $500 million, August 5, 2025">{{Cite news |date=August 5, 2025 |title=RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development |url=https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-vaccines-mrna-pfizer-moderna-1fb5b9436f2957075064c18a6cbbe3c9 |work=AP }}</ref>
On December 5, 2025, it was no longer systematically recommended for newborns of mothers having never gotten Hepatitis B to get vaccinated against this infection. The memos sparked indignation among most health experts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=«La politique anti-scientifique de cette administration va coûter la vie à des enfants» : des experts nommés sous Trump recommandent de ne plus vacciner tous les nouveau-nés contre l'hépatite B |url=https://www.liberation.fr/international/amerique/des-experts-nommes-sous-trump-recommandent-de-ne-plus-vacciner-tous-les-nouveau-nes-contre-lhepatite-b-20251205_NSMEE3GC3NAGREIFITJVDBG6OY/ |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Libération |language=fr |archive-date=December 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205165341/https://www.liberation.fr/international/amerique/des-experts-nommes-sous-trump-recommandent-de-ne-plus-vacciner-tous-les-nouveau-nes-contre-lhepatite-b-20251205_NSMEE3GC3NAGREIFITJVDBG6OY/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2025 |title=Des experts nommés sous Trump chamboulent les recommandations vaccinales sur l'hépatite B |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20251206.OBS110411/des-experts-nommes-sous-trump-chamboulent-les-recommandations-vaccinales-sur-l-hepatite-b.html |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Le Nouvel Obs |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2025 |title=États-Unis : nommés sous Donald Trump, des experts recommandent de ne plus vacciner l'ensemble des nouveaux-nés contre l'hépatite B |url=https://sante.lefigaro.fr/etats-unis-nommes-sous-donald-trump-des-experts-recommandent-de-ne-plus-vacciner-l-ensemble-des-nouveaux-nes-contre-l-hepatite-b-20251205 |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Le Figaro Santé |language=fr |archive-date=December 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207140401/https://sante.lefigaro.fr/etats-unis-nommes-sous-donald-trump-des-experts-recommandent-de-ne-plus-vacciner-l-ensemble-des-nouveaux-nes-contre-l-hepatite-b-20251205 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On February 24, 2026, more than a dozen U.S. states led by Democratic attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration and its Department of Health and Human Services, challenging changes to the childhood vaccination schedule that reduced the number of routinely recommended immunisations and shifted some to "shared clinical decision-making".<ref>{{Cite web |title=States sue Trump administration over changes to childhood vaccine recommendations |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-state-admin-sue-children-vaccine-us-5950921 |access-date=February 27, 2026 |website=CNA |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260226192719/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-state-admin-sue-children-vaccine-us-5950921 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== 2025 CDC leadership dispute ==== On May 14, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that lawyer Matthew Buzzelli is acting CDC director, though the CDC web site did not list that name.<ref name="faust">{{cite news |last1=Faust |first1=Jeremy |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Scoop: CDC has no Acting Director, sources confirm. |url=https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-cdc-has-no-acting-director |access-date=May 6, 2025 |work=Inside Medicine |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507092036/https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-cdc-has-no-acting-director |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="faust2">{{cite web |last1=Faust |first1=Jeremy |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Breaking: RFK Jr. says Matthew Buzzelli, a lawyer with no public health experience, is the Acting CDC Director. |url=https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-rfk-jr-says-matthew-buzzelli |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Inside Medicine |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515010432/https://insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-rfk-jr-says-matthew-buzzelli |url-status=live }}</ref>
Susan Monarez was confirmed as CDC head on July 31, 2025, but on August 27, she was fired. Monarez disputed the legality of the firing, as it had not been carried out by the president, and it had been falsely reported that she had resigned. The president later officially carried out the firing.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Owermohle |first1=Sarah |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |last3=Goodman |first3=Brenda |last4=Tirrell |first4=Meg |date=August 27, 2025 |title=CDC left leaderless after new Director Dr. Susan Monarez is ousted and other key officials follow |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/27/health/cdc-director-monarez |website=CNN |language=en |access-date=August 29, 2025 |archive-date=October 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008130549/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/27/health/cdc-director-monarez |url-status=live }}</ref> The firing was due to her refusing to rubber stamp what were expected to be unscientific recommendations from the senior staff vaccine experts, as well as refusing to fire them. The dispute began over demands from Kennedy and his top staff for changing the recommendation for COVID vaccine to persons with higher-risk conditions and senior citizens only. The official recommendation also affects insurance coverage and whether vaccines are available in pharmacies. Senator Bill Cassidy called for the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to be postponed. He said, "Serious allegations have been made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed for the now announced September ACIP meeting. These decisions directly impact children's health and the meeting should not occur until significant oversight has been conducted."<ref name="ABC, standoff over Monarez firing, August 28, 2025">{{Cite news |date=August 28, 2025 |title=White House says new CDC chief to be picked 'soon' as standoff over Monarez firing continues |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-new-cdc-chief-picked-standoff-monarez/story?id=125072400 |work=ABC |archive-date=September 13, 2025 |access-date=September 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250913225521/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-new-cdc-chief-picked-standoff-monarez/story?id=125072400 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Sheryl Gay Stolberg |author2=Apoorva Mandavilli |author3=Christina Jewett |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Kennedy Sought to Fire C.D.C. Director Over Vaccine Policy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/rfk-jr-susan-monarez-cdc-vaccines.html |work=New York Times |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=August 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012074104/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/rfk-jr-susan-monarez-cdc-vaccines.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, the Trump administration announced the selection of Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O'Neill as a replacement.<ref>{{cite news |author=Dan Diamond |date=August 28, 2025 |title=White House taps top RFK Jr. deputy as acting CDC director |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/28/cdc-director-jim-oneill/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
Following news of Monarez's ouster, at least four other CDC senior officials announced their resignations:<ref name="cnbc-27aug2025">{{cite news |last1=Constantino |first1=Annakin Kim |date=August 27, 2025 |title=CDC Director Susan Monarez ousted, four other leaders quit health agency |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/27/cdc-director-susan-monarez-.html |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=CNBC |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827222420/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/27/cdc-director-susan-monarez-.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="th-27aug2025">{{cite news |last1=Choi |first1=Joseph |last2=Weixel |first2=Nathaniel |date=August 27, 2025 |title=4 CDC leaders resign over 'weaponizing of public health' |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5474217-three-cdc-leaders-resign-over-weaponizing-of-public-health/ |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=The Hill |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827225045/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5474217-three-cdc-leaders-resign-over-weaponizing-of-public-health/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="guard-28aug2025-2">{{cite news |last1=Dunbar |first1=Marina |date=August 28, 2025 |title=CDC in crisis: who are the top officials resigning or being forced out? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/28/cdc-leaders-quit-susan-monarez-firing |access-date=August 28, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> * Debra Houry, Chief Medical Officer * Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases * Daniel Jernigan, Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases * Jennifer Layden, Director of the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology, which contains the National Center for Health Statistics
Dozens of CDC employees walked out of headquarters and protested in support of Monarez and the departing officials.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Massive CDC walkout erupts amid internal chaos |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-walkout-protest-resignations-rfk-hhs |work=Axios |archive-date=August 29, 2025 |access-date=August 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829065303/https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-walkout-protest-resignations-rfk-hhs |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Claims about autism ==== {{See also|False or misleading statements by Donald Trump (second term)#Press conference about autism, Tylenol, and vaccines}} On September 22, 2025, Trump and other U.S. Department of Human Service officials delivered speeches issuing a major agenda for combating autism. Warnings were for doctors not to recommend during pregnancy the pain- and fever-reducer acetaminophen, which is commonly used as an ingredient in Tylenol.<ref name="sept222025">{{cite news|url=https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-trump-kennedy-autism-initiatives-leucovorin-tylenol-research-2025.html|title=President Trump, Secretary Kennedy Announce Bold Actions to Tackle Autism Epidemic|publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services|date=September 22, 2025|accessdate=September 23, 2025|archive-date=October 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002194334/https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-trump-kennedy-autism-initiatives-leucovorin-tylenol-research-2025.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sept222025credibility">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-rfk-jr-autism-china-tiktok-shutdown-h1-b-kirk-bondi-live-updates-rcna232650|title=Live updates: Trump and RFK Jr. hold briefing on autism|publisher=NBC News|date=September 22, 2025|accessdate=September 23, 2025|archive-date=September 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922202312/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-rfk-jr-autism-china-tiktok-shutdown-h1-b-kirk-bondi-live-updates-rcna232650|url-status=live}}</ref> These warnings were issued in spite of the fact that medical experts have found no link between autism and this ingredient, with autism generally established to be a result of complex neurological factors.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors=Halpert M, Yousif N | title=Trump urges pregnant women to avoid Tylenol over unproven autism link | website=BBC News | date=September 22, 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx20d4lr67lo | access-date=September 23, 2025 | archive-date=September 23, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250923053636/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx20d4lr67lo | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CBS, Trump and RFK Jr, Sept 22, 2025" /> ''Scientific American'' has reported that fever itself in the second [2nd] trimester is a risk factor for autism, and therefore the claims made by the Trump administration are counter-productive.<ref name="Scientific American, RFK, Jr., Is Wrong about Cause, April 17, 2025">{{Cite news |date=April 17, 2025 |title=RFK, Jr., Is Wrong about Cause of Rising Autism Rates, Scientists Say |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reason-autism-rates-are-rising/ |work=Scientific American |archive-date=September 25, 2025 |access-date=September 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925032115/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reason-autism-rates-are-rising/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Also on September 22, Trump also spoke in favor of and the FDA approved the use of the chemotherapy drug leucovorin to also help alleviate the symptoms of autism.<ref name="sept222025" /> However, the justification for this approval was based on limited evidence.<ref name="sept222025credibility" /> A CBS News contributor said, "Not all children with autism have this defect, so there's a test you can do to assess whether that's what's at play. For those kids, leucovorin has been shown to help, particularly with speech, getting kids to be more verbal than they were before."<ref name="CBS, Trump and RFK Jr, Sept 22, 2025">{{Cite news |date=September 22, 2025 |title=Trump and RFK Jr. make autism announcement as Tylenol maker and medical experts push back |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-autism-tylenol-medical-experts/ |work=CBS |archive-date=September 28, 2025 |access-date=October 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928113708/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-autism-tylenol-medical-experts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The National Institute of Health (NIH) was also granted $50 million in funding for 13 projects to help transform autism research through the proposed Autism Data Science Initiative.<ref name="sept222025" />
Two-thirds of the increase in autism are estimated by an April 2025 ''Scientific American'' article to be due to better diagnosis and the desire of parents and schools to get started with early intervention. However, this same article estimates that one-third is due to an actual increase in autism from a variety of factors such as mothers in richer countries being older on average at childbirth, the ability to keep more premature children alive and healthy, and small-particle air pollution during the 3rd trimester which can cause an inflammatory response.<ref name="Scientific American, RFK, Jr., Is Wrong about Cause, April 17, 2025"/>
On October 9, 2025, Trump and U.S. secretary of health and human services Robert Kennedy Jr. alleged a link between autism and circumcisions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/09/circumcision-autism-tylenol-kennedy-trump-rfk/86606151007/|title=Health Secretary Kennedy, Trump link circumcision to autism through Tylenol|first=Bart|last=Jansen|publisher=USA Today|date=October 9, 2025|accessdate=October 13, 2025|archive-date=October 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013131240/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/09/circumcision-autism-tylenol-kennedy-trump-rfk/86606151007/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="rfjrcircumsicisionautism">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-circumcision-linked-autism-experts/|title=RFK Jr. suggests circumcision is linked to autism. Here's what experts say.|first=Sara|last=Moniuszko|publisher=CBS News|date=October 10, 2025|accessdate=October 12, 2025|archive-date=October 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011213831/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-circumcision-linked-autism-experts/|url-status=live}}</ref> Kennedy cited a 2015 Danish study to justify this claim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5549892-kennedy-tylenol-autism-circumcision-link/|title=Kennedy clarifies remarks about circumcision, autism, Tylenol|first=Joseph|last=Choi|work=The Hill|date=October 10, 2025|publisher=October 10, 2025|accessdate=October 13, 2025|archive-date=October 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010213714/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5549892-kennedy-tylenol-autism-circumcision-link/|url-status=live}}</ref> The validity of Kennedy's assertion about circumcisions being linked to autism has also been challenged by scientists and medical experts.<ref name="rfjrcircumsicisionautism" /><ref>{{cite news|accessdate=October 13, 2025 |date=October 10, 2025 |newspaper=Washington Post |title=RFK Jr. linked circumcision and Tylenol to autism. Here's what scientists say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/10/10/circumcision-tylenol-autism-rfk/}}</ref>
==== Prescription drug prices ==== In December 2025, President Trump announced a deal in which nine major pharmaceutical companies will in 2026 begin offering "Most Favored Nation" pricing to state Medicaid programs. In return, the companies will receive a reduction in tariffs for three years. This announcement brings the total to 14 out of the 17 largest pharmaceutical manufacturers agreeing to this deal, leaving AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, and Regeneron as the major holdouts. In 2026, the Trump administration plans to start a website named TrumpRx which will not sell drugs directly, but will give patients information and links on pricing. Trump officials said the deal also included more than $150 billion for new investment within the U.S. In addition, several of the companies will be donating pharmaceutical ingredients to the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve.<ref name="CBS, deals on prescription pricing, Dec 19, 2025">[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-announces-agreements-with-9-more-drugmakers-to-lower-prices-for-medicaid-recipients/ "Trump announces agreements with 9 major drugmakers to lower prices"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228105920/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-announces-agreements-with-9-more-drugmakers-to-lower-prices-for-medicaid-recipients/ |date=December 28, 2025 }}, CBS News, December 19, 2025. The nine new deals are with Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Gilead Science, GSK, Merck, Novartis, and Sanofi. The Trump administration had previously announced deals with AstraZeneca, EMD Serono, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer.</ref><ref name="CNN, deals w/ pharmacy companies, Dec 19, 2025">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/19/politics/us-drug-prices-trump-nation-deals |title=Trump announces 'Most Favored Nation' deals with nine drug companies and plans to meet with insurers next |work=CNN |date=December 19, 2025 |quote=Merck, for instance, said it will reduce the price of its Januvia diabetes drug on TrumpRx to $100, from $330. Gilead will provide its Hepatitis C medication, Epclusa, for $2,425, rather than $24,920. GSK will make its asthma inhaler Advair Diskus 500/50 available for $89, from $265. |archive-date=December 23, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223210745/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/19/politics/us-drug-prices-trump-nation-deals |url-status=live }}</ref>
Senior citizens on Medicare will see lower prices in 2026 from the first negotiated prices going into effect from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed in 2022 by President Biden. This includes blood thinners such as Eliquis and Xarelto and diabetes drugs such as Jardiance and Januvia. However, a negative feature of the Inflation Adjustment Act is, that since it penalizes year-to-year increases in drug prices, drug companies have responded by setting higher starting prices. One study found that "launch prices" for new drugs became approximately 50% higher over the three-year period from 2022 to 2024 (inclusive), with an expert saying this practice is likely to continue until it receives a policy response.<ref name="NBC, 2022's Inflation Reduction Act interplay, Dec 25, 2025">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/aca-medicaid-medicare-health-care-expensive-some-cheaper-others-rcna249526 |title=Health care will get more expensive for some in 2026 — and cheaper for others |work=NBC News |date=December 25, 2025 |archive-date=January 6, 2026 |access-date=January 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260106215638/https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/aca-medicaid-medicare-health-care-expensive-some-cheaper-others-rcna249526 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Subsidies for Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") ==== On January 8, 2026, the House voted 230–196 to extend the higher Biden-era subsidies for another three years. Without this extension, it's estimated that monthly premiums will double for many persons who are signed up for the Affordable Care Act. One House Republican said, "I am voting in favor of this discharge and of this legislation to send it to the Senate, so that the Senate will have the opportunity to put forth a reform package that can pass Congress and become law."<ref name="The Guardian, 8 Jan 2026, House votes to extend ACA higher subsidies">[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/08/affordable-care-act-subsidies-vote "US House breaks with Trump to revive Affordable Care Act subsidies"], ''The Guardian'', January 8, 2026.</ref><ref name="ABC, 17 House Republicans vote with Democrats to extend Obamacare subsidies, Jan 8, 2026">{{cite news |date=January 8, 2026 |title=17 House Republicans vote with Democrats to extend Obamacare subsidies for 3 years |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-obamacare-subsidies-extension-after-9-republicans/story?id=129026545 |website=ABC News |archive-date=February 5, 2026 |access-date=January 31, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205000237/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-obamacare-subsidies-extension-after-9-republicans/story?id=129026545 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Immigration === {{Main|Immigration policy of the second Trump administration|Deportation in the second Trump administration}} {{See also|Mexico–United States border crisis#Second Trump administration (2025–present)|Mexico–United States border wall#Second Trump administration (2025–present)|Visa and deportation controversies in the second Trump administration#Detention of activists}} {{Multiple image | align = right | total_width = 300 | image1 = Official Portrait of Secretary Kristi Noem.jpg | alt1 = | image2 = DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Official Portrait (55166865268).jpg | alt2 = | footer = ''Left:'' Kristi Noem, the United States secretary of homeland security from January 2025 to March 2026<br />''Right:'' Markwayne Mullin, the United States secretary of homeland security since March 2026 }} President-elect Trump stated his intentions to revive the immigration policies from his first presidency, including a travel ban on refugees from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Other policies included expulsion of asylum seekers by asserting that they carry infectious diseases, deputization of police officers and soldiers to assist in mass deportations, and the establishment of sprawling detention camps.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/us/politics/trump-2025-immigration-agenda.html |title=Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump's 2025 Immigration Plans |date=November 11, 2023 |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |last3=Swan |first3=Jonathan |author-link2=Maggie Haberman |author-link3=Jonathan Swan |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425100016/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/us/politics/trump-2025-immigration-agenda.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump said "there is no price tag" to carry out these deportations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Welker |first1=Kristen |last2=Marquez |first2=Alexandra |date=November 8, 2024 |title=Trump says there's 'no price tag' for his mass deportation plan |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-says-no-price-tag-mass-deportation-plan-rcna179178 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212053942/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-says-no-price-tag-mass-deportation-plan-rcna179178 |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=November 8, 2024 |website=NBC News}}</ref> On November 10, 2024, Trump announced that Tom Homan would be "border czar".<ref name="Collins-2024">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/10/politics/tom-homan-border-czar-ice-donald-trump/index.html |title=Trump expected to announce he's hiring Tom Homan, his former acting ICE director |date=November 10, 2024 |last=Collins |first=Kaitlan |author-link=Kaitlan Collins |website=CNN |access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref>
While border crossings reached record highs during the first half of the Biden presidency, they fell to lower levels near the end of his term, then dropped even further at the start of Trump's presidency.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aleaziz |first=Hamed |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Border Crossings Continue to Drop Before Trump's Second Term |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/us/politics/border-immigration-drop-biden.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126050415/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/us/politics/border-immigration-drop-biden.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Southwest Land Border Encounters|url=https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters|website=www.cbp.gov|access-date=February 1, 2026|language=en|archive-date=March 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312101944/https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters|url-status=live}}</ref>
Shortly after he became president on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration ended services for the app of CBP One, reinstated the national emergency at the southern border, ordered the armed forces to draft plans for deployment,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Aleaziz |first1=Hamed |last2=Villegas |first2=Paulina |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Trump Shuts Down Migrant Entry App, Signaling the Start of His Crackdown |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/trump-shuts-down-migrant-entry-app-cbp-one.html |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=April 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250408161514/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/trump-shuts-down-migrant-entry-app-cbp-one.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-immigration-emergency-executive-order|title=Trump declares national border emergency in immigration crackdown|work=The Guardian |last1=Gambino |first1=Lauren |last2=Villarreal |first2=Alexandra |last3=Pengelly |first3=Martin}}</ref> and began the steps towards labeling Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Janetsky |first=Megan |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Mexico defends sovereignty as US seeks to label cartels as terrorists |work=Associated Press News |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-us-drug-cartels-terrorist-organizations-8f010b9762964417039b65a10131ff64 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409214544/https://apnews.com/article/trump-us-drug-cartels-terrorist-organizations-8f010b9762964417039b65a10131ff64 |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump increased deportation authorities for the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Marshals Service.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graziosi |first=Graig |date=January 23, 2025 |title=DEA agents now have the power to make arrests for deportations – as Trump spreads federal authority to push his plans |work=The Independent |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/agents-deportation-arrest-power-trump-b2685209.html |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123224650/https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/agents-deportation-arrest-power-trump-b2685209.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
He gave ICE the power to deport immigrants who had come to the United States legally under Biden administration programs,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gedeon |first=Joseph |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Trump gives Ice power to deport immigrants who came legally under Biden |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/legal-immigrant-deportation-trump-ice |access-date=January 26, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> and established daily deportation quotas to ICE offices.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Miroff |first1=Nick |last2=Sacchetti |first2=Maria |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Trump officials issue quotas to ICE officers to ramp up arrests |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/01/26/ice-arrests-raids-trump-quota/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126190406/https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/01/26/ice-arrests-raids-trump-quota/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Trump also signed an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants as well as immigrants legally but temporarily present in the United States. At least nine lawsuits have been filed challenging the order on constitutional grounds, and {{As of|2025|February|lc=y}}, four federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions blocking its implementation and enforcement nationwide.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Ella |date=February 6, 2025 |title=DOJ appeals block of birthright citizenship executive order |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5131881-doj-appeals-block-birthright-citizenship/ |work=The Hill |archive-date=February 8, 2025 |access-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208203511/https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5131881-doj-appeals-block-birthright-citizenship/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Raymond |first=Nate |date=February 6, 2025 |title=US judge accuses Trump of ignoring rule of law to curb birthright citizenship |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-accuses-trump-ignoring-rule-law-curb-birthright-citizenship-2025-02-06/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Casey |first1=Michael |last2=Catalini |first2=Mike |date=February 13, 2025 |title=Fourth federal judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-birthright-citizenship-ruling-boston-3e442a97de8398dc4faf691857ea48ea |access-date=February 14, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214073229/https://apnews.com/article/trump-birthright-citizenship-ruling-boston-3e442a97de8398dc4faf691857ea48ea |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 27, the Supreme Court limited the ability of individual District Judges to issue injunctions against executive actions, meaning to pause executive action. The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of birthright citizenship. District Judges can still issue injunctions in limited circumstances, such as for persons directly involved in a class action lawsuit.<ref name="BBC, Supreme Court, June 27, 2025">{{cite web | title=What to know about the Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling | website=BBC | date=June 27, 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrl7dd1dp9o.amp | access-date=July 1, 2025 | archive-date=July 1, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701152719/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrl7dd1dp9o.amp | url-status=live }}</ref>
On January 22, 2025, Trump ended the policy from 2011 which prohibited immigration arrests in sensitive areas such as courthouses, schools, churches, and hospitals, or during funerals and weddings.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barr |first1=Luke |last2=Reinstein |first2=Julia |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Trump authorizes ICE to target courthouses, schools and churches |website=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-authorizes-ice-target-schools-churches/story?id=117954409 |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312083901/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-authorizes-ice-target-schools-churches/story?id=117954409 |url-status=live }}</ref> NPR reported that a "growing number" of Democrat and Republican officials in cities, states, police departments, school districts and other local governments stated they would not assist in migrant raids citing public safety, civil rights, and administrative capability concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mann |first=Brian |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Local governments across U.S. signal they won't aid Trump migrant crackdown |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/24/nx-s1-5273686/trump-immigration-crackdown-border-police-ice-deportation |access-date=January 26, 2025 |work=NPR |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126024551/https://www.npr.org/2025/01/24/nx-s1-5273686/trump-immigration-crackdown-border-police-ice-deportation |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 29, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, the first legislation of his second term.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Doyle |first1=Katherine |last2=Richards |first2=Zoë |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Trump signs the Laken Riley Act into law |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-signs-laken-riley-act-law-rcna188917 |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130005532/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-signs-laken-riley-act-law-rcna188917 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Gomez Licon |first=Adriana |date=January 24, 2025 |title=What is the Laken Riley Act? A look at the first bill Trump will sign |url=https://apnews.com/article/what-is-laken-riley-act-trump-immigration-2667d626139ddf5a16d1533516eab18f |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124052707/https://apnews.com/article/what-is-laken-riley-act-trump-immigration-2667d626139ddf5a16d1533516eab18f |url-status=live }}</ref> On the same day, he signed a presidential memorandum to begin expansion of the Guantanamo Migrant Operations Center to house up to 30,000 migrants under detention, separate from the high security military prison at Guantanamo Bay.
On February 6, U.S. Border Patrol chief Michael W. Banks claimed that illegal border crossings were already down almost 90% since Trump's inauguration, and that criminal prosecutions of those apprehended were up more than 50%.<ref name="FOX20250206">{{Cite news |title=ICE arrests 100+ Venezuelan gang members in Colorado |work=Fox News |date=February 6, 2025 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/6368372205112 |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207071255/https://www.foxnews.com/video/6368372205112 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 25, Trump announced that the US would launch "Gold Card" residency permits for wealthy immigrants for a price of US$5 million, with an estimated release near the end of March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=February 26, 2025 |title=Trump to sell US$5 Million "gold card" visas to rich foreigners |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3300125/trump-says-will-sell-us5-million-gold-cards-foreigners-who-want-move-us?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article |access-date=February 26, 2025 |website=South China Morning Post |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304014117/https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3300125/trump-says-will-sell-us5-million-gold-cards-foreigners-who-want-move-us?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump deported 37,660 people during his first month in office.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hesson |first=Ted |date=February 22, 2025 |title=Trump deporting people at a slower rate than Biden's last year in office |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-set-broaden-arrests-deportation-routes-expand-immigration-crackdown-2025-02-21/ |work=Reuters |archive-date=March 25, 2025 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325230107/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-set-broaden-arrests-deportation-routes-expand-immigration-crackdown-2025-02-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In response to injunctions countering his deportations, Trump considered suspending ''habeas corpus''.<ref>{{Cite web |last3=Sneed |first1=Kaitlan |last1=Collins |first2=Samantha |last2=Waldenberg |first3=Tierney |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Trump involved in discussions over suspending habeas corpus, sources say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/politics/miller-habeas-corpus-immigrant-judge |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509223920/https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/politics/miller-habeas-corpus-immigrant-judge |url-status=live }}</ref> Stephen Miller in May 2025 said regarding immigration cases that "''habeas corpus'' can be suspended in a time of invasion", and that the Trump administration was "actively looking at" carrying out such a suspension, depending on "whether the courts do the right thing or not"; Article One of the United States Constitution forbids such a suspension "unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Kathryn |title=Trump administration "actively looking" at suspending habeas corpus to deport migrants, Stephen Miller says |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stephen-miller-says-trump-administration-actively-looking-at-suspending-habeas-corpus-to-deport-migrants/ |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=CBS News |date=May 9, 2025 |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509215307/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stephen-miller-says-trump-administration-actively-looking-at-suspending-habeas-corpus-to-deport-migrants/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On July 1, Trump toured a newly built facility in the Florida Everglades nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz". This facility is designed to keep 3,000 persons in detention.<ref name="BBC, Trump visits">{{cite web | title=Trump visits 'Alligator Alcatraz', the next step in his immigration crackdown | website=BBC | date=July 1, 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2zzdmrd9qo.amp | access-date=July 2, 2025 | archive-date=July 1, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701235535/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2zzdmrd9qo.amp | url-status=live }}</ref> On July 10, the Department of Health and Human Services announced they would be restricting undocumented immigrants from enrolling for Head Start, a federally funded U.S. preschool program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Head Start will be cut off for immigrants without legal status, Trump administration says |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-head-start-immigrants-rfk-d10a3b8fa77d37e6e54106ef1db45888 |access-date=July 11, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710235309/https://apnews.com/article/trump-head-start-immigrants-rfk-d10a3b8fa77d37e6e54106ef1db45888 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The administration announced on August 21, 2025, that it would be reviewing all 55 million visa holders in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Matthew |date=August 21, 2025 |title=Trump administration is reviewing all 55 million foreigners with US visas in growing crackdown |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-visas-deportations-068ad6cd5724e7248577f17592327ca4 |access-date=August 21, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=August 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821192004/https://apnews.com/article/trump-visas-deportations-068ad6cd5724e7248577f17592327ca4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2025, the White House set a record-low refugee admissions cap of 7,500 for the 2026 fiscal year, primarily for white Afrikaners from South Africa.<ref name=":19" />
By December 2025, the Department of Homeland Security reported the deportation of over 605,000 individuals, while an additional 1.9 million people voluntarily left the country. This resulted in a net negative immigration flow in 2025, marking the first such occurrence in 50 years. According to Brookings Institution, the net loss of immigrants ranged from 10,000 to 295,000 people.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Melimopoulos |first=Elizabeth |title=Trump suspends immigrant visas for 75 countries: Who's affected? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/15/trump-suspends-immigrant-visas-for-75-countries-whos-affected |access-date=January 19, 2026 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260118122008/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/15/trump-suspends-immigrant-visas-for-75-countries-whos-affected |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2026, the U.S. suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, citing concerns over potential financial burdens and a need to reassess immigration procedures to prevent reliance on public welfare.<ref name=":19" />
In February 2026, the Global Entry program that expedites U.S. Customs and Immigration clearance for pre-approved low-risk travelers was suspended to "preserve limited funds and personnel". However, the Trump administration reinstated it on March 11, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US restarts Global Entry programme amid industry pressure |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-admin-global-entry-programme-us-tsa-5987296 |access-date=March 12, 2026 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>
=== Labor policy === ==== Coal mining regulations ==== A rule from 2024 had been scheduled to go into effect in Spring of 2025 lowering the allowable silica dust from 100 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour shift, with 50 being the standard already enforced by OSHA in other industries. However, industry lawsuits delayed the rule in April 2025, and the Trump administration did not energetically defend the new standard. In addition, a group of seven Republicans in the U.S. House led by Tim Walberg (R- Michigan's 5th Congressional District) signed a letter to the Mine Safety and Health Administration saying the new rule ignored cheaper solutions such as job rotation.<ref name="CBS, coal miners, Nov 8, 2025">{{cite news |date=November 8, 2025 |title=Deep in Trump country, coal miners with black lung say government is suffocating the "working man" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/black-lung-coal-miners-trump-doge/ |work=CBS News |archive-date=December 6, 2025 |access-date=December 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251206070655/https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/black-lung-coal-miners-trump-doge/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2018, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that approximately one in five coal miners with at least 25 years' experience in central Appalachia had black lung disease. However, among 11,000 workers who sought chest X-rays from 2020 to 2025, approximately 55% had some form of black lung.<ref name="CBS, coal miners, Nov 8, 2025" />
CBS News said, "Some angry retired miners with black lung are fighting back, demanding that President Donald Trump honor promises he made to the people who voted him in."<ref name="CBS, coal miners, Nov 8, 2025" />
=== Mass federal layoffs and firings === {{Main|2025 United States federal mass layoffs}}
On February 13, Charles Ezell, acting director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, signed a directive instructing federal agencies to dismiss probationary employees—generally, federal workers who have held their jobs less than a year, or had been promoted into the excepted service during that time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 17, 2025 |title=Federal workers decry recent firings in Presidents' Day protest |url=https://www.govexec.com/transition/2025/02/federal-workers-decry-recent-layoffs-presidents-day-protest/403054/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218131910/https://www.govexec.com/transition/2025/02/federal-workers-decry-recent-layoffs-presidents-day-protest/403054/ |archive-date=February 18, 2025 |work=Government Executive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2025 |title=Federal workers express shock, anger over mass firings: 'You are not fit for continued employment' |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-federal-employees-probationary-firings-layoffs-workers-impact/ |work=CBS News |archive-date=February 16, 2025 |access-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216143235/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-federal-employees-probationary-firings-layoffs-workers-impact/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ezell told agencies to tell the fired employees that their performance was inadequate, and that they needed to cite no evidence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2025 |title=S.F. judge to Trump official: Testify on federal employee firings or face sanctions |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/alsup-ezell-firings-20215652.php? |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-date=September 10, 2025 |access-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910061612/https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/alsup-ezell-firings-20215652.php? |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{As of|2025|May|12|df=US}}, ''The New York Times'' tracked more than 58,000 confirmed cuts, more than 76,000 employee buyouts, and more than 149,000 other planned reductions; cuts total 12% of the 2.4 million civilian federal workers.<ref name="Shao/NYT">{{cite web | title = The Federal Work Force Cuts So Far, Agency by Agency | work = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/28/us/politics/trump-doge-federal-job-cuts.html | date = May 31, 2025 | author1=Elena Shao | author2=Ashley Wu }}</ref> {{As of|2025|July|14|df=US}}, ''CNN'' has tracked more than 128,000 workers laid off or targeted for layoffs.<ref name="CNN-tracker">{{Cite web | author1=Annette O'Kruk | author2=Danya Gainor | author3=Kate Carroll | title=Visualizing Trump's overhaul of the federal workforce | work=CNN | date=February 26, 2025 | url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/tracking-federal-workforce-firings-dg | access-date=September 7, 2025 | archive-date=September 7, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907055207/https://www.cnn.com/politics/tracking-federal-workforce-firings-dg | url-status=live }}</ref> The administration took back some layoffs such as for bird flu and nuclear safety.<ref name="Forbes, Feb 26, 2025">{{Cite web |author1=Molly Bohannon |title=Trump Administration Reverses Layoffs At These Federal Agencies—After Accidentally Cutting Bird Flu, Nuclear Staff |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/02/19/trump-administration-reverses-layoffs-at-these-federal-agencies-after-accidentally-cutting-bird-flu-nuclear-staff/ |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219175253/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/02/19/trump-administration-reverses-layoffs-at-these-federal-agencies-after-accidentally-cutting-bird-flu-nuclear-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2025, the Office of Personnel Management launched the United States Tech Force, a two-year hiring initiative intended to recruit about 1,000 technologists (including AI engineers) for federal technology modernization projects across multiple agencies.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rozen |first=Courtney |title=US government launches campaign to hire engineers for AI, tech roles |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-launches-campaign-hire-ai-engineers-federal-roles-2025-12-15/ |work=Reuters |date=December 15, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2025 |archive-date=December 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217125155/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-launches-campaign-hire-ai-engineers-federal-roles-2025-12-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=OPM Launches US Tech Force to Implement President Trump's Vision for Technology Leadership |url=https://www.opm.gov/news/news-releases/opm-launches-us-tech-force-to-implement-president-trumps-vision-for-technology-leadership/ |website=U.S. Office of Personnel Management |access-date=December 23, 2025 |archive-date=December 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218220553/https://www.opm.gov/news/news-releases/opm-launches-us-tech-force-to-implement-president-trumps-vision-for-technology-leadership/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Trump oversaw mass firings of federal workers at various agencies, many of them described as breaking with precedent or federal law and with the intent to replace them with workers more aligned with Trump's agenda.<ref name="Kinnard 1282025">{{Cite news |last=Kinnard |first=Meg |date=January 28, 2025 |title=Firings, freezes and layoffs: A look at Trump's moves against federal employees and programs |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-firings-prosecutors-dei-federal-government-2042969d1855feb2753b6237f1022666 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128212125/https://apnews.com/article/trump-firings-prosecutors-dei-federal-government-2042969d1855feb2753b6237f1022666 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Collinson 1282025">{{Cite news |last=Collinson |first=Stephen |date=January 28, 2025 |title=Trump sets about his retribution agenda with relish |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/politics/trump-retribution-agenda-analysis/index.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=CNN |quote=The president is wasting no time in following through on his frequent campaign trail vows for retribution – with a torrent of purges and pardons. |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128111941/https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/politics/trump-retribution-agenda-analysis/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Savage 1282025">{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Charlie |date=January 27, 2025 |title=Fired Inspectors General Raise Alarms as Trump Administration Moves to Finalize Purge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/us/politics/trump-inspectors-general-fired.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=The New York Times |quote=Some advisers to Mr. Trump have been interested in advancing the so-called unitary executive theory, an expansive view of presidential power. According to the theory, the president must have complete control of the executive branch, so Congress may not give other officials independent decision-making authority or restrict the president's ability to fire them. |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128005655/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/us/politics/trump-inspectors-general-fired.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Zachary |last2=Lawler |first2=Dave |date=January 27, 2025 |title=Trump's bureaucracy goes to war |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/trump-federal-eorkers-inspectors-general |access-date=January 28, 2025 |work=Axios |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128213153/https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/trump-federal-eorkers-inspectors-general |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 24, 2025, less than a week into Trump's second presidency, he fired 17 independent inspectors general at federal agencies, which appeared to violate federal law that requires advance notice of dismissals to both chambers of congress with reasons given 30 days in advance.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bose |first1=Nandita |last2=Shah |first2=Chandni |date=January 25, 2025 |title=Trump fires 17 independent inspectors general at federal agencies, source says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-fires-least-12-independent-inspectors-general-washington-post-reports-2025-01-25/ |access-date=January 25, 2025 |work=Reuters |archive-date=March 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313142535/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-fires-least-12-independent-inspectors-general-washington-post-reports-2025-01-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump also fired all Democratic but not Republican members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which would prevent the board from meeting quorum and functioning.<ref name="Savage 1252025">{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Charlie |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Trump Seeks to Paralyze Independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Watchdog |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/us/trump-privacy-civil-liberties-oversight-board.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 25, 2025 |work=The New York Times |quote=Advisers to Mr. Trump subscribe to a strong view of presidential power called the unitary executive theory, under which the Constitution should be interpreted as giving presidents exclusive control of the executive branch and independent agencies are considered illegitimate. During the campaign, Trump allies vowed to stomp out pockets of independence in the executive branch if he won the election. |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125134617/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/us/trump-privacy-civil-liberties-oversight-board.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump also fired members of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board and 56 senior officials at USAID for allegedly attempting to thwart his priorities.<ref name="Kinnard 1282025" />
===National Security=== ====Counterterrorism policies==== Trump issued NSPM-7 (National Security Presidential Memorandum-7) on September 25, 2025, directing a government-wide strategy to counter what it characterizes as organized domestic terrorism and political violence. The memorandum cites "common threads" such as "anti-Americanism", "anti-capitalism", "anti-Christianity", support for 'overthrowing' the United States Government, and extremism related to migration, race, and gender. It assigns the National Joint Terrorism Task Force to lead investigations, directs the United States Department of Justice to prioritize prosecutions and consider domestic terrorist organization designations, and instructs the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service to disrupt financial networks, while noting that the directive creates no enforceable rights. Thirty-one members of Congress later warned in a letter that NSPM-7 raises constitutional and civil-liberties concerns if used to target political dissent or ideological speech.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Memoranda |first=Presidential |date=September 25, 2025 |title=Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/ |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pocan.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/pocan.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/letter-on-nspm-7-to-president-trump.pdf | title=Letter to President Trump | website=pocan.house.gov | date=October 16, 2025 | access-date=December 10, 2025 | archive-date=October 16, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016193746/https://pocan.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/pocan.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/letter-on-nspm-7-to-president-trump.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haas |first=Melinda |date=December 3, 2025 |title=Labeling dissent as terrorism: New US domestic terrorism priorities raise constitutional alarms |url=http://theconversation.com/labeling-dissent-as-terrorism-new-us-domestic-terrorism-priorities-raise-constitutional-alarms-269161 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US |archive-date=December 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251209165140/https://theconversation.com/labeling-dissent-as-terrorism-new-us-domestic-terrorism-priorities-raise-constitutional-alarms-269161 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Jeff |last2=Hunnicutt |first2=Trevor |title=Trump broadens crackdown on 'organized' political violence |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-broadens-crackdown-organized-political-violence-2025-09-25 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
==== Punishing states with cuts to Homeland Security funding ==== The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reduced more than $233 million from Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington state because they had failed to cooperate with Trump immigration policy. In addition, funding was cut to the District of Columbia.<ref name="ABC, Judge rules you can't cut security funding as payback, Dec 23, 2025">{{cite news |date=December 23, 2025 |title=Federal judge says Trump administration must restore disaster money to Democratic states |url=https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/federal-judge-trump-administration-restore-disaster-money-democratic-128656503 |website=ABC News (with Associated Press)}}</ref>
In December, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration could not do this, stating in her decision, "To hold hostage funding for programs like these based solely on what appear to be defendants' political whims is unconscionable and, at least here, unlawful."<ref name="ABC, Judge rules you can't cut security funding as payback, Dec 23, 2025"/>
=== Social Security === On March 18, 2025, the Social Security Administration announced they would be implementing tighter identity requirements starting March 31,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One Day |url=https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-strengthens-identity-proofing-requirements-and-expedites-direct-deposit-changes-to-one-day/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=Social Security Administration |archive-date=March 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327235225/https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-strengthens-identity-proofing-requirements-and-expedites-direct-deposit-changes-to-one-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Menezes |first1=Damita |last2=Dean |first2=Libbey |date=March 25, 2025 |title=New Social Security requirements call for in-person checks |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/your-money/new-social-security-requirements-calls-for-in-person-checks/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=NewsNation |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328085507/https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/your-money/new-social-security-requirements-calls-for-in-person-checks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with this date pushed forward to April 14. The new policy requires takes away the telephone option and requires individuals to either apply online or appear in-person at a field office.<ref name="Social Security press release, March 26, 2025" /> Applications for SSDI, Medicare, or SSI are exempted from this in-person requirement, along with applicants subject to extreme situations "such as terminal cases or prisoner pre-release scenarios".<ref name="Social Security press release, March 26, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Hinkle |first=Mark |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements |url=https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#2025-03-26 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=Social Security Administration |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326023827/https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#2025-03-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> This new policy comes at a time the Trump administration is closing some field offices and laying off some Social Security staff.<ref name="CBS News, Social Security says, Mar 26, 2025">{{Cite web |last1=Picchi |first1=Aimee |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Social Security says it will delay in-person ID verification. Advocates say that's not enough |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/social-security-in-person-identity-requirement-delayed-until-april-14-aarp/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h |website=CBS News |language=en |access-date=March 27, 2025 |archive-date=March 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327182913/https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/social-security-in-person-identity-requirement-delayed-until-april-14-aarp/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h |url-status=live }}</ref>
In late March, ''Wired'' reported that DOGE was putting together a team to migrate the Social Security base code from COBOL to a more modern programming language, with the goal of achieving this in a matter of months, whereas most experts say it should take several years to do and test this safely.<ref name="Wired, DOGE Plans to Rebuild SSA Code Base, March 28, 2025">{{cite magazine |title=DOGE Plans to Rebuild SSA Code Base in Months, Risking Benefits and System Collapse |magazine=Wired |date=March 28, 2025 |author1=Makena Kelly |url=https://www.wired.com/story/doge-rebuild-social-security-administration-cobol-benefits/ |access-date=August 3, 2025 |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409000229/https://www.wired.com/story/doge-rebuild-social-security-administration-cobol-benefits/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="yahoo! finance, From COBOL To Crisis, April 4, 2025">{{cite web |date=April 4, 2025 |title=From COBOL To Crisis? DOGE's Plan To Rewrite Social Security's Code In Months Sparks Fears Of Payment Disruptions |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cobol-crisis-doges-plan-rewrite-163043543.html |website=Yahoo! Finance |access-date=August 3, 2025 |archive-date=April 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410000727/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cobol-crisis-doges-plan-rewrite-163043543.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
It was reported in mid-April that the Trump administration had placed on the "Death Master File", renamed the "Ineligible Master File", more than 6,000 persons who are legal immigrants whom officials claim are either on a terrorism watch list or have an FBI criminal record. The White House, however, did not provide evidence for this claim.<ref name="AP, What we know, April 11, 2025">{{cite web |date=April 11, 2025 |author1=Fatima Hussein |title=What we know about the Social Security Administration listing thousands of living immigrants as dead |url=https://apnews.com/article/social-security-immigration-dhs-deportation-12cf4ab92d5cac3406ded3a343f75005 |website=AP News |access-date=August 3, 2025 |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412032520/https://apnews.com/article/social-security-immigration-dhs-deportation-12cf4ab92d5cac3406ded3a343f75005 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Social Security will "clawback" money from a disabled or retired person's monthly payments in cases in which overpayments are discovered. Overpayments can either be the fault of Social Security or of the recipient, for example, a person on SSDI disability not reporting monthly work income over a certain threshold. The Biden administration had capped the clawback rate at 10%, but this expired on March 27, 2025, reverting to 100%. On April 25, the Trump administration reduced this clawback rate to 50%.<ref name="CBS News, Social Security to reduce overpayment clawbacks, May 5, 2025">{{cite web | title=Social Security to reduce overpayment clawbacks to 50%, down from 100% | website=CBS News | date=May 5, 2025 | author1=Aimee Picchi | author2=Alain Sherter, editing | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-overpayment-clawback-change-50-percent-doge/ | access-date=August 3, 2025 | archive-date=May 6, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506093059/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-overpayment-clawback-change-50-percent-doge/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Universities === {{Main|Education policy of the second Trump administration#Actions against universities}} {{Further|Columbia University's settlement with the Trump administration|Harvard v. Department of Health and Human Services}} [[File:The White House - 54437403521.jpg|thumb|Leo Terrell, the head of the Trump administration's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, with Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, April 7, 2025]] In February 2025, Leo Terrell, the chair of the Department of Justice's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, announced that he would investigate Columbia University, Harvard University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Southern California as part of the Department of Justice's broader investigation into antisemitism on college campuses.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meet the former Democrat leading Trump's charge against 10 universities |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/23/leo-terrell-trump-universities-harvard-00368352 |work=Politico |date=May 23, 2025 |archive-date=August 5, 2025 |access-date=August 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250805000000/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/23/leo-terrell-trump-universities-harvard-00368352 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Trump's actions targeting higher education were described as part of an intimidation campaign against institutions viewed as hostile to his political views.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bender |first1=Michael C. |last2=Blinder |first2=Alan |last3=Swan |first3=Jonathan |date=April 14, 2025 |title=Inside Trump's Pressure Campaign on Universities |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/us/politics/trump-pressure-universities.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 4, 2025 |archive-date=May 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502014738/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/us/politics/trump-pressure-universities.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Coster |first=Helen |date=April 22, 2025 |title=US college presidents unite against Trump's higher education policies |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-academic-leaders-unite-against-trumps-higher-education-policies-2025-04-22/ |access-date=May 4, 2025 |archive-date=April 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424063418/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-academic-leaders-unite-against-trumps-higher-education-policies-2025-04-22/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He targeted higher education by demanding it give federal oversight of curriculum and targeted activists, legal immigrants, tourists, and students with visas who expressed criticism of his policies or engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kanno-Youngs |first1=Zolan |last2=Pager |first2=Tyler |last3=Aleaziz |first3=Hamed |date=March 21, 2025 |title=As Trump Broadens Crackdown, Focus Expands to Legal Immigrants and Tourists |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/us/politics/trump-immigration-visa-crackdown.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 29, 2025 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328094922/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/us/politics/trump-immigration-visa-crackdown.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump froze billions of dollars in federal funding for multiple universities in express defiance of existing laws prohibiting such actions without following proper legal processes that did not happen.<ref name="Economist 07302025">{{Cite news|date=July 30, 2025|title=What Donald Trump is teaching Harvard|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/07/30/what-donald-trump-is-teaching-harvard|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 30, 2025|quote=Maybe so, but the settlement was still a shakedown. Mr Trump skipped the legal process by which the government can cancel funds. By law the administration has to offer a hearing and submit a report to Congress at least 30 days before the cut-off takes effect. None of that happened. Of course coercive, bilateral deals are Mr Trump's métier—he has achieved them with law firms and trading partners.|archive-date=July 30, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730194439/https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/07/30/what-donald-trump-is-teaching-harvard|url-status=live}}</ref> The deals and demands made by Trump were criticized as coercive, a shakedown, and legalized extortion in what ''Axios'' described as pursuit of a "cultural crackdown".<ref name="Basu 07302025">{{Cite news|last=Basu|first=Zachary|date=July 30, 2025|title=Trump's billion-dollar settlement spree|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/30/trump-harvard-settlement-dei-lawsuit|access-date=July 30, 2025|quote=America's most elite institutions have largely succumbed to the Trump administration's cultural crackdown, opting to pay up — often to the tune of tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars — rather than fight back.|archive-date=July 30, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730102249/https://www.axios.com/2025/07/30/trump-harvard-settlement-dei-lawsuit|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Economist 07302025" /> On September 3, Judge Allison D. Burroughs found Trump's efforts to freeze billions of dollars of funding for Harvard illegal, writing that the government had infringed upon Harvard's free speech rights and that it was "difficult to conclude anything other than that defendants used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country's premier universities".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blinder|first=Alan|date=September 3, 2025|title=Judge Rules Trump Administration Illegally Canceled Harvard Funding|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/harvard-trump-funding-ruling.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 6, 2025|archive-date=September 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905193856/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/harvard-trump-funding-ruling.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Foreign policy== {{main|Foreign policy of the second Trump administration}} {{quote box |title =Asked: Are there limits on your global power? |quote = {{font |font=Times New Roman |size=16px |{{nbsp|5}} Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me. I don't need international law. I'm not looking to hurt people.}} |source = —Donald Trump, January 7, 2026<ref name=NYTimes_20260108>{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Pager |first2=Tyler |last3=Rogers |first3=Katie |last4=Kanno-Youngs |first4=Zolan |title=Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by 'My Own Morality' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-interview-power-morality.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 8, 2026 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> <br><br>''New York Times'' White House correspondents wrote that "Mr. Trump's assessment... was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of his worldview. At its core is the concept that national strength, rather than laws, treaties and conventions, should be the deciding factor as powers collide."<ref name=NYTimes_20260108/> |align = right |width = 40% |border = 1px |fontsize = 100% |bgcolor = #fafafa |title_bg = #fafafa |title_fnt = #202060 |qalign = left |salign = right }} {{multiple image | total_width = 450 | image1 = 2025 Foreign views of the US.svg | caption1 = A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that more than half in 19 of 24 countries surveyed, said they lack confidence in Trump's leadership of world affairs, with views about Trump differing sharply along ideological and partisan lines.<ref name=Pew_20250611>{{cite web |last1=Wike |first1=Richard |last2=Poushter |first2=Jacob |last3=Silver |first3=Laura |last4=Fetterolf |first4=Janell |title=U.S. Image Declines in Many Nations Amid Low Confidence in Trump |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/06/11/us-image-declines-in-many-nations-amid-low-confidence-in-trump/ |page=1 |publisher=Pew Research Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612025845/https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/06/11/us-image-declines-in-many-nations-amid-low-confidence-in-trump/ |archive-date=June 12, 2025 |date=June 11, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> | image2 = 2025 Rating of Biden 2024 and Trump 2025 - survey results.svg | caption2 = Among 24 surveyed countries, Trump's 2025 ratings trailed those of Joe Biden's 2024 ratings by an average of twelve percentage points in world affairs, though Trump fared better among right-wing populist parties in Europe.<ref name=Pew_20250611p3>{{cite web |last1=Wike |first1=Richard |last2=Poushter |first2=Jacob |last3=Silver |first3=Laura |last4=Fetterolf |first4=Janell |title=Comparing confidence in Trump and Biden |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/06/11/confidence-in-trump/ |page=3 |publisher=Pew Research Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612030348/https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/06/11/confidence-in-trump/ |archive-date=June 12, 2025 |date=June 11, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> }}
[[File:List of international trips made by Donald Trump during his second presidency.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|As of May 2026, Trump has made ten international trips to fifteen different countries during his second presidency.]] Trump's second term foreign policy has been described as a mixture of both imperialist and expansionist policies.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Colvin |first1=Jill |last2=Gillies |first2=Rob |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Trump, the 'America First' candidate, has a new preoccupation: Imperialism |work=The Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-imperialism-canada-panama-greenland-b4b53445dee97398b498b79eab54d49b |access-date=January 28, 2025 |quote=But since winning a second term, the president-elect has been embracing a new imperialist agenda, threatening to seize the Panama Canal and Greenland — perhaps by military force — and saying he will use economic coercion to pressure Canada to become the nation's 51st state. |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205180523/https://apnews.com/article/trump-imperialism-canada-panama-greenland-b4b53445dee97398b498b79eab54d49b |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Collinson |first=Stephen |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Trump's threats to Greenland, Canada and Panama explain everything about America First |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/08/politics/trump-greenland-canada-panama-analysis/index.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |quote=Donald Trump's imperialist designs on Greenland, Canada and Panama often sound like the ramblings of a real estate shark who equates foreign and trade policy to a hunt for new deals. But there's method in his expansionist mindset. |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128192631/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/08/politics/trump-greenland-canada-panama-analysis/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Smolar |first=Piotr |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Donald Trump's rhetoric of a new American imperialism |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/08/donald-trump-s-rhetoric-of-a-new-american-imperialism_6736821_4.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 28, 2025 |quote=At a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, January 7, Trump reiterated the idea of American expansion, which he believes would validate the promise of a 'golden age' made to voters. |archive-date=February 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204133618/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/08/donald-trump-s-rhetoric-of-a-new-american-imperialism_6736821_4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mittelstadt |first=Jennifer |date=February 2, 2025 |title=Opinion {{!}} Why Does Trump Threaten America's Allies? Hint: It Starts in 1919. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/opinion/trump-panama-greenland-foreign-policy.html |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=February 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204021504/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/opinion/trump-panama-greenland-foreign-policy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He engaged in a realist and isolationist "America First" foreign policy agenda.<ref name="Basu 2282025">{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Zachary |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Trump's new world order: Strongmen make the rules |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/trump-new-world-order-russia-china-europe |access-date=February 28, 2025 |quote=The international order forged after World War II is imploding, squeezed on all sides by the return of strongmen, nationalism and spheres of influence — with President Trump leading the charge.{{nbsp}}... Trump's approach is based, according to U.S. officials, in 'realism'. |archive-date=March 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301053840/https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/trump-new-world-order-russia-china-europe |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Blaxland 2182025" /> His administration favored hard power to achieve foreign policy goals,<ref name="Baker 02022025">{{Cite news|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=February 2, 2025|title=Trump Favors Blunt Force in Dealing With Foreign Allies and Enemies Alike|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/us/politics/trump-tariffs-migrants-power.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref> and dismantled or withdrew support from domestic and international organizations dedicated to advancing American soft power.<ref name="Hvistendahl 07232025">{{Cite news|last=Hvistendahl|first=Mara|date=July 23, 2025|title=China Flexes Muscles at U.N. Cultural Agency, Just as Trump Walks Away|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/world/asia/unesco-china-us.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025|quote=The pullback reflects a broader American retreat from international bodies and Mr. Trump's dim view of soft power, the longstanding idea that America's cultural and economic influence abroad strengthens its hand in foreign affairs.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Basu|first1=Zachary|last2=Lawler|first2=Dave|date=July 17, 2025|title=Trump's soft-power retreat scrambles U.S.-China race|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/trump-china-retreat-soft-power|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref> The moves were described as ceding American global influence and creating a void filled by Russia and China.<ref name="Hsu 06242025">{{Cite news|last=Hsu|first=Tiffany|date=June 24, 2025|title=As U.S. Dismantles Voice of America, Rival Powers Hope to Fill the Void|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/business/media/us-china-russia-global-communications.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2025|archive-date=September 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910154648/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/business/media/us-china-russia-global-communications.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
His relations with allies were transactional and ranged from indifference to hostility, and he threatened them with economic tariffs or annexation.<ref name="Erlanger 2272025" /><ref name="Broadwater 2272025" /> He was described as taking the side of Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine,<ref name="Erlanger 2272025">{{Cite news |last=Erlanger |first=Steven |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Indifference or Hostility? Trump's View of European Allies Raises Alarm |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/world/europe/trump-eu-allies.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 28, 2025 |quote=Mr. Trump has rebuffed NATO and aligned himself with the longstanding, principal threat to the alliance: Russia. |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228010209/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/world/europe/trump-eu-allies.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Broadwater 2272025">{{Cite news |last=Broadwater |first=Luke |date=February 27, 2025 |title=With Trump, Alliances Come With Strings Attached |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/politics/trump-alliances-ukraine-russia.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 28, 2025 |quote=But it underscores Mr. Trump's impulse to squeeze even America's traditional allies as he applies his transactional approach to foreign policy. |archive-date=March 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301023027/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/politics/trump-alliances-ukraine-russia.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Under Trump, America's New Friends: Russia, North Korea and Belarus |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/us/politics/trump-diplomacy.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 2, 2025 |quote=It would be hard to think of a starker demonstration of how radically Mr. Trump is recalibrating America's place in the world after barely a month back in office. He is positioning the United States in the camp of the globe's chief rogue states in opposition to the countries that have been America's best friends since World War II or before. |archive-date=March 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250301105743/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/us/politics/trump-diplomacy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and overseeing a rupture of the post-1945 rules-based liberal international order and abandonment of multilateralism.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Donald Trump has begun a mafia-like struggle for global power |magazine=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/02/27/donald-trump-has-begun-a-mafia-like-struggle-for-global-power?itm_source=parsely-api |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 28, 2025 |quote=The rupture of the post-1945 order is gaining pace. In extraordinary scenes at the UN this week, America sided with Russia and North Korea against Ukraine and Europe. Germany's probable new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, warns that by June NATO may be dead. Fast approaching is a might-is-right world in which big powers cut deals and bully small ones. |archive-date=March 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302140202/https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/02/27/donald-trump-has-begun-a-mafia-like-struggle-for-global-power?itm_source=parsely-api |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Basu 2282025" /><ref name="Blaxland 2182025">{{Cite web |last=Blaxland |first=John |date=February 18, 2025 |title=Trump's view of the world is becoming clear: America's allies come second to its own interests |work=The Conversation |url=https://theconversation.com/trumps-view-of-the-world-is-becoming-clear-americas-allies-come-second-to-its-own-interests-250144 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-date=February 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226161634/https://theconversation.com/trumps-view-of-the-world-is-becoming-clear-americas-allies-come-second-to-its-own-interests-250144 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Michael Klare wrote that containing the influence of China and preventing the rise of any rival power is the central foreign policy objective of the administration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klare |first=Michael T. |date=January 1, 2025 |title=What 'America First' means second time around |url=https://mondediplo.com/2025/01/06usa |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Le Monde diplomatique |language=en |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212232315/https://mondediplo.com/2025/01/06usa |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump has attempted to deepen the U.S.-India partnership.<ref>{{cite news |title=VOA Mandarin: China courts India as Trump, Modi vow to deepen ties |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-mandarin-china-courts-india-as-trump-modi-vow-to-deepen-ties-/7969940.html |work=Voice of America |date=February 10, 2025}}</ref>
Trump's administration saw large drops in global public opinion of the U.S.<ref name="Henley 06112025">{{Cite news|last=Henley|first=Jon|date=June 11, 2025|title=Opinion of US has worsened in countries around world in last year, survey shows|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/11/opinion-of-us-has-worsened-in-countries-around-world-in-last-year-survey-shows|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref> Countries like Canada, Germany, the U.K., Denmark, and Finland warned their citizens about traveling to the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mordowanec |first=Nick |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Map shows countries with visa warnings about US |url=https://www.newsweek.com/travel-visas-germany-uk-usa-denmark-finland-2048695 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Robin |date=March 21, 2025 |title=UK, Finland, Denmark join Germany in issuing US travel advisories |url=https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/us-immigration-visa-policy-advisories-20233820.php |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Telegraph |archive-date=April 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403074600/https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/us-immigration-visa-policy-advisories-20233820.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Crisp |first=Elizabeth |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Why European countries are revising US travel guidance |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/5207954-countries-warn-citizens-traveling-us/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Hill |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328001430/https://thehill.com/homenews/5207954-countries-warn-citizens-traveling-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kassam |first=Ashifa |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Denmark and Finland urge caution for US-bound transgender people |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/21/denmark-and-finland-urge-caution-for-us-bound-transgender-people |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rivera |first=Josh |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Detentions at US border prompt UK, Germany, and Nordic nations to revise travel advice |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2025/03/21/uk-germany-advisory-us/82590093007/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Americas === Trump's second presidency has been characterized by a renewed American interference in the internal affairs of Latin American nations. These efforts have included both threats and promises made to influence the outcomes of elections in Honduras, Chile and Argentina, as well as tariff threats against Brazil and Mexico and military action against Venezuela.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ventura |first=Christophe |date=January 1, 2026 |title=Trump's gameplan for Latin America |url=https://mondediplo.com/2026/01/02venezuela |access-date=January 28, 2026 |website=Le Monde diplomatique |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127200006/https://mondediplo.com/2026/01/02venezuela |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Argentina ==== [[File:President Donald Trump meets with Argentina’s President Javier Milei (54348219476).jpg|thumb|Trump with Argentina president Javier Milei on February 22, 2025]] On October 20, the United States and Argentina agreed to a currency swap for up to $20 billion. About President Javier Milei of Argentina and his upcoming October 26 mid-term elections, President Trump said, "If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina."<ref name="Guardian, $20bn currency swap deal, Oct 20">{{Cite news |work=The Guardian (UK) |title=Argentina formalizes $20bn currency swap deal with US |date=October 20, 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/20/argentina-us-currency-swap-bailout }}</ref>
The Trump administration also announced plans to increase beef imports from Argentina. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association objected to this plan with their leader saying, "If President Trump is truly an ally of America's cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate markets." On October 22, Trump posted on social media that American ranchers need to help get beef prices down, and said that ranchers "don't understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil".<ref name="ABC News, Cattlemen's trade group, Oct 23">{{Cite news |work=ABC News |title='Misguided': Cattlemen's trade group raises alarm over Trump plan to import beef from Argentina |date=October 23, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/misguided-cattlemens-trade-group-raises-alarm-trump-plan/story?id=126792026 |archive-date=October 31, 2025 |access-date=October 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251031133630/https://abcnews.go.com/US/misguided-cattlemens-trade-group-raises-alarm-trump-plan/story?id=126792026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Boat strikes==== {{See also|United States strikes on alleged drug traffickers during Operation Southern Spear}} At Trump's direction, the United States has executed a series of airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea on vessels alleged to be smuggling illegal drugs. As of January 4, 2026, a total of 35 strikes have been conducted, in which 115 individuals have been killed and 2 have been rescued after surviving the strikes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |last2=Rosenberg |first2=Carol |last3=Lazaro |first3=Gamio |title=Tracking U.S. Military Killings in Boat Attacks |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/29/us/us-caribbean-pacific-boat-strikes.html |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The New York Times |date=January 1, 2026 |archive-date=March 26, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260326140028/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/29/us/us-caribbean-pacific-boat-strikes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the first strike, which was conducted on September 2, 2025, and killed eleven people, the Trump Administration has invoked combatting "terrorism" conducted by drug cartels as a justification for the strikes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Edward |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Cooper |first3=Helene |last4=Feur |first4=Alan |last5=Savage |first5=Charlie |title=Trump Administration Says Boat Strike Is Start of Campaign Against Venezuelan Cartels |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/hegseth-venezuela-drug-strike.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20250904&instance_id=161874&nl=the-morning®i_id=217176059&segment_id=205242&user_id=e1e428a234bbdae4b2553b3266f4f875 |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The New York Times |date=September 3, 2025 |archive-date=January 12, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112085533/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/hegseth-venezuela-drug-strike.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20250904&instance_id=161874&nl=the-morning®i_id=217176059&segment_id=205242&user_id=e1e428a234bbdae4b2553b3266f4f875 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Many legal experts have argued that the strikes constitute illegal extrajudicial killings under both U.S. and international law, noting that drug smuggling is generally considered to be a crime, not an act of war, and that the military is categorically prohibited from targeting civilians, even suspected criminals, unless facing a threat of imminent harm.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |title=The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law The White House has made no legal argument explaining its bald claim that the president has wartime power to summarily kill people suspected of smuggling drugs. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/us/politics/white-house-boats-law.html |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The New York Times |date=October 24, 2025 |archive-date=January 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108075902/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/us/politics/white-house-boats-law.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Conservative lawyer and commentator Andrew C. McCarthy, writing in National Review, called the strikes "lawless" and "not legitimate under the law".<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Andrew C. |title='We Intended the Strike to be Lethal' Is Not a Defense |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/we-intended-the-strike-to-be-lethal-is-not-a-defense/ |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=National Review |date=November 29, 2025 |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230224712/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/we-intended-the-strike-to-be-lethal-is-not-a-defense/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel defended the strikes in a memo that has not been released to the public, endorsing President Trump's claim that the United States is an armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels and arguing that the destruction of drug boats eliminates a source of revenue that could be used to purchase weapons for attacks against the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |title=Memo Approving Boat Strikes Is Said to Rely on Trump's Claims About Cartels |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/us/politics/boat-strikes-doj-memo-trump.html |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The New York Times |date=November 13, 2025 |archive-date=January 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104083453/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/us/politics/boat-strikes-doj-memo-trump.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On November 27, ''The Washington Post'' published an article alleging that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had ordered the officers responsible for the first airstrike on September 2, 2025, to "kill everyone" on board, prompting Admiral Frank M. Bradley to order a second strike to kill the two survivors of the initial strike, who were clinging to the wreckage of the boat that had been by the initial strike.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norton |first1=Alex |last2=Nakashima |first2=Ellen |title=Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/3276424183 |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The Washington Post |date=November 27, 2025 |id={{ProQuest|3276424183}} }}</ref> As no quarter orders are forbidden under the Law of war, the second September 2 strike was widely criticized as constituting a war crime even under the Trump Administration's justification for the boat strike campaign in general, with the chair of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services, Republican Senator Roger Wicker, along with ranking member Jack Reed, promising "vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Daniella |title=Senators vow oversight after report Hegseth told troops to 'kill everybody' in boat strike |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5626371-senate-armed-services-oversight-trump-drug-boat-strikes/ |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The Hill |date=November 29, 2025 |archive-date=January 7, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107141611/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5626371-senate-armed-services-oversight-trump-drug-boat-strikes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to The New York Times, five U.S. officials stated that while Hegseth did, on September 2, order the killing of all individuals aboard the alleged drug boat, he did not specifically address what was to be done if any individuals survived the initial strike and was not present when Bradley carried out the second strike.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |last3=Schmitt |first3=Eric |last4=Ismay |first4=John |title=Hegseth Ordered a Lethal Attack but Not the Killing of Survivors, Officials Say |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/us/hegseth-drug-boat-strike-order-venezuela.html |access-date=January 5, 2026 |agency=The New York Times |date=December 1, 2025}}</ref> After Hegseth refused to release a video of the second strike to Congress, the United States Senate placed a provision in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act holding back a quarter of Hegseth's travel budget until he showed the video to lawmakers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Groves |first1=Stephen |title=Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video |url=https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-boat-strikes-hegseth-a0886906eb50432c38a4d5bf08e6a719 |access-date=January 5, 2026 |work=Associated Press News |date=December 17, 2025}}</ref>
==== Venezuela ==== {{See also|2026 United States intervention in Venezuela}} On January 3, 2026, the United States launched airstrikes in Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife,<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump says US has captured Venezuela President Maduro |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-says-us-has-captured-venezuela-president-maduro-2026-01-03/ |website=Reuters |access-date=January 3, 2026}}</ref> and resulting in an estimated 80 casualties, including Maduro's personal guard, military personnel, and civilians.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kurmanaev |first1=Anatoly |last2=Nicas |first2=Jack |last3=Wong |first3=Edward |last4=Schmitt |first4=Eric |date=January 4, 2026 |title=Venezuela's New Leader Softens Tone as Trump Threatens Colombia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/05/world/venezuela-maduro-trump |access-date=March 17, 2026 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The airstrike was done without congressional awareness or authorization, resulting in criticism from media and a number of congressmen.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Republicans largely back Trump on Venezuela action, Democrats decry it as unjustified |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-largely-back-trump-venezuela-action-democrats-decry/story?id=128866819 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104051047/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-largely-back-trump-venezuela-action-democrats-decry/story?id=128866819 |archive-date=January 4, 2026 |access-date=March 17, 2026 |work=ABC News |language=en-US}}</ref> Maduro and his wife were arraigned in a Manhattan federal court on 5, January 2026. Both pleaded not guilty to a number of drug trafficking charges.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Not guilty' plea for deposed Venezuelan leader Maduro: live updates |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/01/05/us-venezuela-strikes-nicolas-maduro-live-updates/88022326007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105180005/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/01/05/us-venezuela-strikes-nicolas-maduro-live-updates/88022326007/ |archive-date=January 5, 2026 |access-date=March 17, 2026 |work=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Europe === [[File:President Donald Trump and President Alexander Stubb.jpg|thumb|Trump has emphasized good relations with Finland, especially with the "icebreaker trade" in October 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/09/politics/trump-icebreakers-arctic|title=Trump strikes deal for icebreaker ships as competition grows in the Arctic|first1=Haley|last1=Britzky|first2=Jennifer|last2=Hansler|work=CNN|date=October 9, 2025|access-date=October 18, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fairways-friendship-6-billion-deal-how-finlands-president-found-partner-trump|title=Fairways, friendship and a $6 billion deal: How Finland's president found a partner in Trump|first=Amanda|last=Macias|work=Fox News|date=October 9, 2025|access-date=October 18, 2025}}</ref> He met with Finnish president Alexander Stubb at the Oval Office.]]
==== NATO spending ==== The Trump administration has argued that European nations should contribute more to their own defense while the U.S. focuses on China.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Vance exports MAGA message on immigration, nationalism to European elite |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/14/vance-munich-europe-security-ukraine/ |url-access=registration |access-date=February 14, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> During his 2024 campaign, he said he would not defend NATO allies if they did not meet the alliance's spending target of 2% of GDP on defense, and that he would "encourage" Russia to "do whatever the hell they want".<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=February 11, 2024 |title=Favoring Foes Over Friends, Trump Threatens to Upend International Order |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/11/us/politics/trump-nato.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220135129/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/11/us/politics/trump-nato.html |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times}} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibssa |first1=Lalee |last2=Kim |first2=Soo Rin |date=February 11, 2024 |title=Trump says he'd 'encourage' Russia 'to do whatever the hell they want' if a NATO country didn't spend enough on defense |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-russia-nato-defense-funds/story?id=107136736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211222726/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-russia-nato-defense-funds/story?id=107136736 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hayden |first1=Jones |last2=Ward |first2=Myah |last3=Cienski |first3=Jan |date=February 11, 2024 |title=Trump says he would 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies who don't pay up |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-says-he-would-encourage-russia-to-attack-nato-members-that-dont-pay-enough/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211124317/https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-says-he-would-encourage-russia-to-attack-nato-members-that-dont-pay-enough/ |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |work=Politico.eu}}</ref> Trump officials privately expressed contempt for European "freeloading";.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bickerton |first=James |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Signal War Plans Chat: Read Leaked Texts in Full |url=https://www.newsweek.com/signal-war-plans-chat-read-leaked-texts-full-2049957 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328115530/https://www.newsweek.com/signal-war-plans-chat-read-leaked-texts-full-2049957 |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Smialek/NYT">{{cite news |last1=Smialek |first1=Jeanna |last2=Erlanger |first2=Steven |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Now Europe Knows What Trump's Team Calls It Behind Its Back: 'Pathetic' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/world/europe/signal-jeffrey-goldberg-message-hegseth.html |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=The New York Times |place=Brussels & Berlin |publication-place=New York City |quote=Trump administration officials haven't kept their disdain for Europe quiet. But the contempt seems to be even louder behind closed doors.}}</ref> Trump's policies and rhetoric accelerated an ongoing European rearmament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2025 |title=Rutte: NATO spending target will be 'considerably more than 3 percent' |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/mark-rutte-nato-defense-spending-target-considerably-more-3-percent-munich-security-conference/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=Politico |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 2, 2025 |title=Ukraine summit 'once in a generation' moment for European security, says Starmer |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/02/zelensky-joins-european-leaders-at-key-ukraine-summit-in-london_6738729_4.html |access-date=March 2, 2025 |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Le Monde |agency=AP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Strupczewski |first1=Jan |last2=Gray |first2=Andrew |date=March 4, 2025 |title=EU proposes borrowing 150 billion euros in big rearmament push |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-defence-plans-could-mobilise-800-billion-euros-von-der-leyen-says-2025-03-04/ |access-date=March 4, 2025 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 18, 2025 |title=German MPs approve €500bn spending boost to counter 'Putin's war of aggression' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/18/german-mps-approve-500bn-spending-boost-to-counter-putin-war-of-aggression |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Trump called Poland, which exceeds the NATO defense spending target, "one of the best groups of people I have ever met".<ref>{{Cite web |last=mp |date=March 1, 2025 |title=President Trump: 'I Am Very Committed to Poland' |url=https://polanddaily24.com/president-trump-i-am-very-committed-to-poland/global-politics/52467 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |website=PolandDaily24.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Vice President JD Vance ==== Trump's administration has also expressed cultural disagreement with Europe and the European Union: in a speech at the 61st Munich Security Conference, Vice President Vance criticized European policies on free speech and democratic values, and accused European leaders of suppressing dissenting views on issues such as immigration.<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2025 |title=JD Vance attacks Europe over free speech and migration |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceve3wl21x1o |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Vance also expressed support for lifting restrictions on the Alternative for Germany, a far-right German political party.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 14, 2025 |title=US Vice President JD Vance meets German far-right leader as he criticizes 'firewalls' in Europe |url=https://apnews.com/article/germany-munich-vance-free-speech-election-33e720b820e61db9d5e478e63b4a4dc7 |website=Associated Press News}}</ref>
==== United Kingdom ==== [[File:Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets US President Donald Trump (54687372410).jpg|thumb|Trump with British prime minister Keir Starmer at Turnberry, Scotland, July 28, 2025]] While meeting with British prime minister Keir Starmer in February 2025, Trump accepted a request from King Charles III for a state visit in the U.K.;<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Key takeaways from Keir Starmer's talks with Donald Trump |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgee7rl24ro |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Starmer secured wins for UK at Trump meeting – here's how |url=https://news.sky.com/story/keir-starmer-was-an-unlikely-war-footing-leader-but-he-is-finding-a-way-13318429 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> both Trump and Starmer praised the U.S.–U.K. "Special Relationship".<ref name=":42" /> The state visit occurred between September 16–18, 2025.<ref name="BBC4Sep2025">{{cite news|last=Clarke|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rynvlm6zjo|title=Donald Trump's UK state visit is next week - this is what we know|date=September 4, 2025|work=BBC News|accessdate=September 13, 2025}}</ref> Relations became strained in March 2026 due to Starmer's refusal to join the U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran during the 2026 Iran war or support the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, prompting Trump to repeatedly condemn the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=2026-04-13 |title=Britain Will Not Join U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz, Starmer Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/world/europe/iran-blockade-strait-hormuz-uk-starmer-trump.html |access-date=2026-05-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> King Charles III undertook a state visit to the United States between April 27–30, 2026 and addressed Congress, aimed partly at alleviating these tensions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-30 |title=Trump says Starmer should 'learn to deal like the King' in latest jibe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-trump-king-charles-starmer-state-visit-b2968359.html |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
==== Ukraine ==== {{Further|Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)#Developments under the second Trump presidency (since 2025)}} Trump began a push for peace negotiations to end the Russia–Ukraine war.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 17, 2024 |title=Trump's Push for Ukraine Peace Finds Growing Acceptance in Europe |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/trumps-push-for-ukraine-peace-finds-growing-acceptance-in-europe-8252f368 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> Trump's first foreign visit as president-elect was to Paris for the reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris, during which he met with French president Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the war,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |date=December 3, 2024 |title=Macron's Paris invite shows power fast flowing from Biden to Trump |url=https://us.cnn.com/2024/12/03/politics/donald-trump-emmanuel-macron-analysis/index.html |access-date=December 3, 2024 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bauer |first=Lino |date=December 3, 2024 |title=Notre-Dame : Trump présent à la cérémonie de réouverture, " un choc d'espérance " pour Emmanuel Macron |url=https://www.frontieresmedia.fr/international/notre-dame-donald-trump-assistera-ceremonie-ouverture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204155750/https://www.frontieresmedia.fr/international/notre-dame-donald-trump-assistera-ceremonie-ouverture |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=December 3, 2024 |magazine=Frontières |language=fr}}</ref> and met with other European officials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Amy |date=December 7, 2024 |title=Prince William and Trump meet after Notre-Dame reopening |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05ppeym6jro |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 8, 2024 |title=Meloni has 'pleasant' talks with Trump, Musk, at Notre-Dame |url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/world/2024/12/08/meloni-has-pleasant-talks-with-trump-musk-at-notre-dame_639fe609-bf51-4985-8738-e8943ee02a2e.html |access-date=December 9, 2024 |agency=ANSA}}</ref> In February 2025, Trump held phone calls with Russian president Vladimir Putin and with Zelenskyy that he said marked the beginning of negotiations.<ref name="guardian-20250212b2">{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew |last2=Sabbagh |first2=Dan |last3=Sauer |first3=Pjotr |name-list-style=and |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Trump says he has spoken to Putin and agreed to negotiate Ukraine ceasefire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/12/trump-putin-ukraine-ceasefire |access-date=February 12, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> He threatened Ukraine with a suspension of U.S. military aid<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew |last2=Holmes |first2=Oliver |date=March 4, 2025 |title=US suspends all military aid to Ukraine in wake of Trump-Zelenskyy row |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/04/us-military-aid-ukraine-pause-trump-zelenskyy-updates |access-date=March 12, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> and Russia with sanctions and tariffs if he decided they were not negotiating in good faith.<ref name="MoscowTimesJan2025">{{cite news |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Trump Tells Putin to Make Ukraine Deal 'Now' or Face Tougher Sanctions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/22/trump-tells-putin-to-make-ukraine-deal-now-or-face-tougher-sanctions-a87707 |work=The Moscow Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 22, 2025 |title='Settle now': Trump threatens sanctions on Russia if war in Ukraine is not ended |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/01/22/settle-now-trump-threatens-sanctions-on-russia-if-war-in-ukraine-is-not-ended |work=Euronews}}</ref> The U.S. sought a mineral resources agreement with Ukraine<ref name="NBC minerals2">{{cite news |last1=Welker |first1=Kristen |last2=Kube |first2=Courtney |last3=Lee |first3=Carol E. |last4=Egwuonwu |first4=Nnamdi |date=February 17, 2025 |title=Zelenskyy tells aides to reject U.S. pitch for 50% of Ukraine's rare earth minerals |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/zelenskyy-tells-aides-reject-trump-pitch-ukraine-mineral-reserves-rcna192426 |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=NBC News}}</ref> though was unwilling to offer postwar security guarantees for Ukraine in exchange.<ref name="NBC minerals2" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Burrows |first=Emma |date=February 17, 2025 |title=US presented Ukraine with a document to access its minerals but offered almost nothing in return |url=https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-us-zelenskyy-agreement-trump-minerals-4d5eefcc44c9f17f330db98d81720b29 |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> Negotiators reached a deal on the agreement<ref name="Tarasova-Markina_20250226">{{Cite news |last1=Tarasova-Markina |first1=Daria |last2=Vlasova |first2=Svitlana |last3=Tuysuz |first3=Gul |last4=Walsh |first4=Nick Paton |last5=Edwards |first5=Christian |date=February 26, 2025 |title=Zelensky calls US-Ukraine minerals deal a 'framework' as it emerges agreement has no security guarantees |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/26/europe/ukraine-us-zelensky-trump-rare-earth-security-intl/index.html |access-date=March 2, 2025 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref name="CNN_fulltext_20250225">{{citation |title=BILATERAL AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR A RECONSTRUCTION INVESTMENT FUND |date=February 25, 2025 |url=https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25545394/read-the-draft-text-obtained-by-cnn-on-wednesday-morning.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302200431/https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25545394/read-the-draft-text-obtained-by-cnn-on-wednesday-morning.pdf |archive-date=March 2, 2025 |via=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Butenko_20250226">{{Cite news |last1=Butenko |first1=Victoria |last2=Walsh |first2=Nick Paton |last3=Tuysuz |date=February 26, 2025 |title=US and Ukraine agree to terms on natural resources and reconstruction deal, Ukrainian official says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/25/europe/us-ukraine-resources-reconstruction-deal-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=March 2, 2025 |work=CNN}}</ref> but the agreement fell through after a contentious meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office that ended when the Ukrainian delegation was abruptly asked to leave.<ref name=":42" /><ref name=":62">{{Cite magazine |last=Bennett |first=Brian |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Trump Cuts Off Talks With Zelensky After Heated Meeting |url=https://time.com/7262883/trump-zelensky-meeting/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |magazine=TIME |archive-date=March 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305203203/https://time.com/7262883/trump-zelensky-meeting/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Afterwards, the U.K. and France developed a proposal in which a "coalition of the willing" would provide security guarantees to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Piper |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Holton |first2=Kate |last3=Macaskill |first3=Andrew |date=March 2, 2025 |title=UK's Starmer calls on Europe to step up to secure Ukraine peace |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uks-starmer-tries-revive-hope-ukraine-peace-summit-2025-03-01/ |access-date=March 2, 2025 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="Deutsche_Welle_20250302">{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2025 |title=Ukraine: Europe plans for 'massive surge' in defense |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-europe-plans-for-massive-surge-in-defense/live-71796609 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |location=London, UK}}</ref> The U.S. and Russia held a summit in Saudi Arabia for peace talks in February<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 18, 2025 |title=US and Russia to explore closer relations after Ukraine talks in Riyadh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/us-russia-ukraine-talks-riyadh-saudi-arabia |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> and U.S. held a summit with Ukraine the next month, during which Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire.<ref name=":102">{{Cite web |last=Ravid |first=Barak |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Ukraine backs U.S. proposal for 30-day ceasefire with Russia |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/ukraine-russia-ceasefire-30-days |access-date=March 11, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Trump's dream of peace in Ukraine now must meet Russian reality |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/11/europe/analysis-ukraine-russia-ceasefire-proposal-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=March 12, 2025 |work=CNN}}</ref> Putin did not accept the ceasefire,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2025 |title=Putin questions Ukraine ceasefire plan and sets out string of conditions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/13/russia-wary-of-proposed-ukraine-ceasefire-plan-as-us-talks-begin |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=theguardian.com}}</ref> though on March 18 Russia agreed to a 30-day ceasefire only for strikes on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Putin, in call with Trump, agrees to partial ceasefire in Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/18/trump-putin-ukraine-call-00235878 |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=politico.com}}</ref> which Ukraine agreed to.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 26, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-26-2025 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War |date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web |date=March 27, 2025 |title=Россия и Украина спорят об условиях сделки по Черному морю и энергообъектам. Чем отличаются их версии? |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/crlxgjk85g4o |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=BBC News Русская служба |language=ru}}</ref>
[[File:President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy P20250625DT-0727.jpg|thumb|Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at NATO summit in The Hague, June 25, 2025]] On July 9, Trump reversed a previously suspended military aid package to Ukraine following Russia's largest aerial assault on the country, involving hundreds of drones and missiles. The suspension, reportedly authorized by senior defense officials without Trump's prior knowledge. Trump expressed growing frustration with Russian president Vladimir Putin, accusing him of insincerity and relentless aggression, saying, "He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it's no good." The U.S. are discussing sending 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, and Trump said he is reviewing a proposed sanctions bill by Senator Lindsey Graham that would impose 500% tariffs on countries trading with Russia. Although Trump has previously mentioned secondary sanctions, none have been implemented so far, with the president citing their cost and waiting to see if a peace deal would emerge.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Hamas used sexual violence as part of 'genocidal strategy', Israeli experts say |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1mz8gxzg82o |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> On July 14, 2025, Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire within 50 days.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Birnbaum |first1=Michael |last2=Daviesv |first2=Emily |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Trump backs Kyiv in war with Russia with weapons and threats to Moscow |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/14/trump-ukraine-weapons-sanctions/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bousso |first1=Ron |title=Trump's short fuse could set off Russian oil sanctions timebomb |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/trumps-short-fuse-could-set-off-russian-oil-sanctions-timebomb-2025-07-29/ |work=Reuters |date=July 29, 2025}}</ref> Trump confirmed a summit meeting between him and Putin to be held on August 15, 2025, in Alaska<ref>{{cite web | title=Trump says he'll soon meet with Putin |website=CNN |date=August 8, 2025 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/politics/trump-putin-meeting }}</ref> The high-level summit at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage concluded without progress toward a ceasefire. Following the talks, Trump suggested the United States could assist Ukraine with surveillance flights or air defense support, while ruling out the deployment of ground troops.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Haque |first1=Sarah |last2=Graham |first2=Vicky |last3=Davidson |first3=Helen |last4=Mackey |first4=Robert |last5=Popat |first5=Shrai |last6=Graham |first6=Sarah Haque (now); Vicky |last7=Popat (earlier) |first7=Shrai |date=August 16, 2025 |title=Zelenskyy to fly to Washington as Merz says US ready to be part of Ukraine security guarantees – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/aug/15/trump-putin-alaska-meeting-summit-news-updates |access-date=August 20, 2025 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump pursues peace deal after leaving Alaska without ceasefire pact |date=August 16, 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce836yz8r69o}}</ref> [[File:P20250818DT-1089.jpg|thumb|EU, NATO members and Zelenskyy in Washington, D.C., August 18, 2025]] Trump emphasized that European nations should shoulder the primary burden of assistance and pressed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take greater responsibility in securing peace. He further hinted that Ukraine may eventually face difficult choices, including potential territorial concessions, to bring the conflict to an end.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Trump offers air support to Ukraine as he pushes for summit |url=https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/trump-air-support-ukraine-join-nato-mzx5dhtdf |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2025, Trump urged Europe to stop buying Russian oil and start putting economic pressure on China for funding Russia's war effort.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump pushes Europe to stop buying Russian oil and up pressure on China in effort to end Ukraine war |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/04/politics/ukraine-war-trump-security-guarantees |work=CNN |date=September 5, 2025}}</ref> Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration is "prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marquez |first1=Alexandra |title=Treasury secretary says U.S. and European Union must partner to 'collapse' Russian economy |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/treasury-secretary-us-eu-collapse-russian-economy-tariffs-bessent-rcna229616 |work=NBC News |date=September 7, 2025}}</ref>
In September 2025, the Trump administration approved the delivery of the first two packages of weapons to Ukraine from US stockpiles totalling approximately $1 billion, which would be paid for by NATO allies, under the new mechanism called Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). The mechanism aims to deliver aid worth up to $10 billion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Trump administration clears first Ukraine arms aid paid for by allies, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/trump-administration-clears-first-ukraine-arms-aid-paid-by-allies-sources-say-2025-09-16/ |work=Reuters |date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> On September 27, 2025, President Zelenskyy announced a $90 billion arms agreement with the United States in works.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zelenskyy says 'mega deal' in works for US arms purchases |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/zelenskyy-says-mega-deal-in-works-for-us-arms-purchases/ |work=Politico |date=September 28, 2025}}</ref>
On October 22, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Russian energy companies Rosneft and Lukoil,<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCreesh |first=Shawn |date=October 22, 2025 |title=Trump Imposes Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies as His Frustration With Putin Mounts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/us/politics/trump-sanctions-russia-ukraine.html |access-date=October 23, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref> affecting their customers in China and India.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shan |first1=Lee Ying |title=China and India to face supply jolt as U.S. targets Russia's oil giants |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/china-india-us-russia-oil-sanctions-rosneft-lukoil.html |work=CNBC |date=October 23, 2025}}</ref>
=== Africa === ==== South Africa ==== [[File:President Donald Trump greets President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa (54537936065).jpg|thumb|Trump with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2025]] Trump's administration strained relations with South Africa. Trump suspended all aid to South Africa, saying the country's land expropriation law discriminated against Afrikaners;<ref name=":03">{{cite web |date=February 7, 2025 |title=Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/addressing-egregious-actions-of-the-republic-of-south-africa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217194535/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/addressing-egregious-actions-of-the-republic-of-south-africa/ |archive-date=February 17, 2025 |access-date=February 19, 2025 |publisher=The White House}}</ref> he also offered Afrikaners refugee status in the U.S.<ref name=":13" /><ref name="guard-12may2025">{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Rachel |last2=Smith |first2=David |title=First group of white South Africans arrive in US after Trump grants refugee status |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/12/white-south-africans-trump |access-date=May 12, 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=May 12, 2025}}</ref> Rubio refused to attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Johannesburg<ref name=":23">{{cite news |date=February 6, 2025 |title=US top diplomat Rubio to skip G20 over 'anti-Americanism' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/6/rubio-trumps-top-diplomat-to-skip-g20-over-anti-americanism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211225338/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/6/rubio-trumps-top-diplomat-to-skip-g20-over-anti-americanism |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=Al Jazeera English}}</ref> and he declared the South African ambassador ''persona non grata'' for his criticism of U.S. policies.<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Trump administration says South African ambassador has to leave the US by Friday |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/17/trump-administration-says-south-african-ambassador-has-to-leave-the-us-by-friday-00234316 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=Politico |language=en}}</ref>
==== Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda ==== Rubio condemned the Rwandan-backed Goma offensive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and called for an immediate ceasefire and respect for territorial integrity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Godfrey |first=Paul |date=January 29, 2025 |title=U.S. calls for Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda to reach urgent cease-fire |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/01/29/urges-immediate-DRC-cease-fire/6101738143291/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=UPI}}</ref> In April, U.S. officials entered into talks with the DRC on a minerals deal after a proposal from Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2025 |title=US envoy says he's working on DR Congo minerals deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp34140qkw0o |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> thumb|Signing ceremony for the peace agreement, Washington, D.C., June 27, 2025 In June 2025, President Trump brokered a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, with the U.S. getting "a lot of mineral rights". This potentially brings to an end a 30+ year conflict dating back to the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Each country had accused the other of financing and supporting rebel groups. On June 27, in a deal signed in the White House, each country pledged to end such support, allow the return of refugees, and create a joint security coordination mechanism aimed at resolving disputes.<ref name="ABC, Trump heralds US-brokered peace deal, June 27, 2025" />
An estimated 6 million persons have died in this conflict, and Trump said that this deal ends "one of the worst wars anyone's ever seen". A critic said, "It risks reducing peace to a transactional exchange. Minerals are only one driver of conflict." Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "This is an important moment after 30 years of war. President Trump is a president of peace. He really does want peace. He prioritizes it above all else."<ref name="ABC, Trump heralds US-brokered peace deal, June 27, 2025">{{cite web | title=Trump heralds US-brokered peace deal between DRC, Rwanda | website=ABC News | date=June 27, 2025 | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-heralds-us-brokered-peace-deal-drc-rwanda/story?id=123277316}}</ref> A former prime minister of the DR Congo, Joseph Kabila, expressed skepticism of the peace deal, saying that it was "nothing more than a trade agreement".<ref name="BBC, DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal, June 28, 2025">{{cite web | title=DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal met with scepticism in rebel-held city| website=BBC | first=Paul| last=Njie| access-date=July 15, 2025| date=June 28, 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg3721np9go.amp}}</ref>
==== South Sudan ==== In April 2025, the U.S. revoked all visas of and barred entry to citizens of South Sudan after a dispute over the deportation of a South Sudanese citizen.<ref name="Guardian Apr 6, 20252">{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Faisal |date=April 6, 2025 |title=Trump administration revokes all South Sudanese visas in repatriation row |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/06/us-revokes-all-visas-for-south-sudanese-over-countrys-failure-to-repatriate-citizens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406211706/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/06/us-revokes-all-visas-for-south-sudanese-over-countrys-failure-to-repatriate-citizens |archive-date=April 6, 2025 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
=== Asia === ==== Middle East ==== {{Further|2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations|March–May 2025 United States attacks in Yemen|Twelve-Day War}} [[File:Donald Trump state visit to Qatar, 2025-05-14 P20250514DT-2130.jpg|thumb|Trump and Qatar's emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Lusail, Qatar during Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, May 2025]]
===== Houthis ===== In March 2025, the U.S. began a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen to counter attacks on Red Sea shipping, with the goal of restoring freedom of navigation and deterring further aggression.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2025 |title=US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05mvr3j3yro |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> U.S. officials accidentally included ''The Atlantic'' editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat discussing the military plans, sparking a political scandal and accusations of risking national security and violating records-preservation laws.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pindell |first=James |title=Three Things We've Learned So Far from 'Signalgate' About the Trump Administration |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/25/nation/signalgate-houthi-chat-takeaways/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=The Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Benen |first=Steve |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Did the Trump White House Cross Legal Lines in the 'Signalgate' Debacle? |url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-white-house-cross-legal-lines-signalgate-debacle-rcna198058 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |publisher=MSNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haltiwanger |first=John |date=March 26, 2025 |title=5 Key Questions About Signalgate |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/25/signalgate-trump-leak-goldberg-yemen-questions/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref>
In May 2025, Trump announced that his administration had reached a ceasefire deal with the Houthis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump announces deal to stop bombing Houthis, end shipping attacks|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-us-will-stop-bombing-houthis-after-agreement-struck-2025-05-06/|work=Reuters|date=May 6, 2025}}</ref>
===== Iran ===== {{See also|Iran–United States relations during the second Trump administration|2026 Iran war}} [[File:Trump situation room 6-21-25.jpg|thumb|Trump and Vance in the Situation Room during strikes on Iran]] thumb |The retail price of gasoline in the US increased at the outbreak of war in Iran.<ref name=EIAgasPrices>Data from {{cite web |title=Petroleum & Other Liquids / Data / Weekly U.S. All Grades All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices |url=https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&s=emm_epm0_pte_nus_dpg&f=w |publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260508185722/https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&s=emm_epm0_pte_nus_dpg&f=w |archive-date=8 May 2026 |date=2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes_20260420>{{cite news |last1=DePillis |first1=Lydia |title=Why Gas Prices Go Up Fast and Take So Long to Fall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/business/economy/gas-stations-pricing.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 20, 2026 |quote=Source: AAA for national average unleaded retail gasoline prices.}}</ref> In late April 2026, Trump said Americans should expect higher gas prices for "a little while".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Breuninger |first1=Kevin |title=Trump says Americans should expect higher gas prices for 'a little while' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/trump-iran-war-gas-prices-strait-of-hormuz.html |agency=CNBC |date=April 23, 2026}}</ref> Trump reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran and sought a new set of negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear program.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2025 |title=Netanyahu seeks to draw Trump into future attack on Iranian nuclear sites |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-donald-trump-us-iran-nuclear-programme |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=March 3, 2025 |title=Iran's vice-president and most prominent reformist resigns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/03/iran-vice-president-reformist-resigns-mohammad-javad-zarif |access-date=March 3, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In March 2025, Trump sent a letter to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei urging new negotiations and warning of military action if talks fail.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Trump says he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader over country's advancing nuclear program |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-trump-letter-khamenei-f78aeb869d146978b6d377184e236ef9 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crane |first=Emily |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Trump says he's pushing to negotiate nuclear deal with Iran |url=https://nypost.com/2025/03/07/us-news/trump-says-hes-pushing-to-negotiate-nuclear-deal-with-iran/ |access-date=March 7, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chiacu |first1=Doina |last2=Ljunggren |first2=David |date=March 30, 2025 |title=Trump threatens bombing if Iran does not make nuclear deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-there-will-be-bombing-if-iran-does-not-make-nuclear-deal-2025-03-30/ |website=reuters}}</ref>
On June 13, 2025, Israeli planes bombed sites in Iran associated with Iran's nuclear program. President Trump stated he was not involved, although Iranian leaders have said they do not believe this. There have been reports that Trump vetoed a plan to kill Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei, and that the United States communicated to Israel that Iran has not killed an American and discussions of killing political leaders should not be on the table.<ref name="ABC News, Israel-Iran live updates, June 15, 2025">{{cite web |author1=Riley Hoffman |author2=Leah Sarnoff |author3=Jack Moore |display-authors=etal |date=June 15, 2025 |title=Israel-Iran live updates: Iran launches more missiles at Israel, sirens sound in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem [and other short articles on same page] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/middle-east-live-updates-israel-launches-preemptive-strike/?id=122797400 |website=ABC News}}</ref>
On June 21, 2025, the U.S. attacked three nuclear sites: the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, the Natanz nuclear facility, and Isfahan nuclear technology center.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Eric |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |date=June 21, 2025 |title=U.S. Enters War With Iran, Striking Fordo Nuclear Site: Live Updates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/21/world/iran-israel-trump |access-date=June 22, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trump says US hits 3 Iranian nuclear sites, plunging America into conflict |website=ABC News |date=June 21, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-hits-3-iranian-nuclear-sites-trump-plunging/story?id=123081409}}</ref> B-2 airplanes took off from the state of Missouri and made the 18-hour flight to Iran, being refueled multiple times en route. Entering Iranian airspace, fighter jets cleared space ahead of them, and a Navy sub fired more than 24 Tomahawk missiles. The leading B-2 dropped two Massive Ordnance Penetrators bombs (MOPs, or "bunker-busters") at the Fordo site. A total of 14 MOPs were dropped at two target sites. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said, "We devastated the Iranian nuclear program, but it's worth noting that the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people."<ref>{{cite web |title=Pentagon officials reveal new details about strikes on Iran's nuclear sites |website=CBS News |date=June 22, 2025 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pentagon-briefing-us-strikes-iran-nuclear-sites/}}</ref>
On June 22, Trump said that since the Islamic regime in control of Iran has failed to make Iran great, it should be replaced to "Make Iran Great Again".<ref name=":02">{{Cite magazine |last=Guzman |first=Chad de |date=June 23, 2025 |title=Trump Says Iran May Need 'Regime Change' |url=https://time.com/7296670/trump-iran-regime-change-khamenei-hegseth-vance-rubio-us-war/ |access-date=June 23, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623121659/https://time.com/7296670/trump-iran-regime-change-khamenei-hegseth-vance-rubio-us-war/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 22, 2025 |title=Trump asks why there would not be 'regime change' in Iran |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-asks-why-there-would-not-be-regime-change-iran-2025-06-22/ |access-date=June 23, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Later, he posted on social media that their constant anger, hostility, and despair have only led them to ruin. The path they're on offers no hope, only more hardship, "I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with honey than you do with vinegar".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 28, 2025 |title=Trump Issues Blistering Response After Iran Threatens U.S. |url=https://time.com/7298477/trump-iran-threat-khamenei-nuclear-bombs-sanctions/ |access-date=July 9, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab photos from Mehr (3).jpg|thumb|Rescuers and residents at the site of the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, Iran, which was destroyed by a U.S. military strike on February 28, 2026]]During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Trump repeatedly warned the Iranian authorities that the U.S. would "intervene" if the regime did not halt its crackdown on protesters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump warns of 'very strong action' if Iran follows through with threats of hanging protestors |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/01/13/iran-protest-crackdown-death-tolls-soars-trump-says-help-is-on-its-way_6749387_4.html |work=Le Monde |date=January 13, 2026}}</ref> On January 16, 2026, Trump announced that the Iranian leadership had reportedly canceled over 800 planned executions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Christou |first1=William |title=Ali Khamenei says thousands killed in Iran protests, some in 'inhuman, savage manner' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/17/senior-iranian-cleric-calls-for-protester-executions-in-defiance-of-trump-claims |work=The Guardian |date=January 17, 2026}}</ref>
On February 28, 2026, Trump launched a major attack on Iran with Israel with the stated goal of regime change.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sanger|first=David E.|author-link=David E. Sanger|date=February 28, 2026|title=For Trump, the Iran Attack Is the Ultimate War of Choice|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/us/politics/trump-iran-attack.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 1, 2026}}</ref> On March 21, 2026, Trump announced a 48-hour ultimatum on Truth Social calling for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the destruction of Iranian power infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Truth Social |url=https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116269822349947644 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=Truth Social |language=en}}</ref> Over the following week, specifically on March 23 and 26, Trump announced two different extensions to the ultimatum. On March 26, an official pause on "the period of Energy Plant destruction" until April 2, 2026, was announced on social media,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Truth Social |url=https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116297295543838717 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=Truth Social |language=en}}</ref> an extension he later stated was a result of Iran allowing oil-carrying ships to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Trump's timeline for attacking Iran's critical infrastructure keeps shifting |url=https://abcnews.com/Politics/trumps-timeline-attacking-irans-critical-infrastructure-shifting/story?id=131797649 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>
On April 4 and 5, 2026, Trump resumed posting threats of US attack on Iranian infrastructure, stating April 7, 2026, as the deadline for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened.<ref name=":20" /> On April 7, Trump posted to Truth Social that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again",<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2026 |title=Trump threatens 'whole civilization will die tonight' ahead of Iran deadline |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/07/trump-iran-deadline-threats-00861313 |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> causing domestic concern that Trump would use nuclear weapons, and resulting in a number of bipartisan calls for the 25th Amendment to be invoked.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=April 7, 2026 |title=Analysis: An eclectic, bipartisan group suddenly calls for removing Trump using the 25th Amendment {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/07/politics/25th-amendment-trump-iran-war |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The White House confirmed in an official statement that there is currently no consideration of usage of nuclear weaponry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Gabrielle Weiniger, Tel Aviv {{!}} Josie Ensor, New York {{!}} David Charter, Washington {{!}} Liz Cookman, Istanbul {{!}} Aubrey Allegretti {{!}} Martin Strydom {{!}} Charlie |date=April 7, 2026 |title=We'll destroy Iran but we won't use nuclear weapons, says US — as it happened |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-war-latest-news-tehran-rejects-peace-deadline-trump-gz662zx0h |access-date=April 8, 2026 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following the failure of the Islamabad Talks to end the war, Trump imposed a naval blockade on Iran on April 13.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 April 2026|title=Trump announces naval blockade of Iran after Islamabad talks yield no deal|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/04/12/iran-us-talks-ceasefire-vance/|access-date=13 April 2026|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
===== Israel and Gaza ===== {{See also|United States support for Israel in the Gaza war}} [[File:President Donald J. Trump Welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House (cropped b).jpg|thumb|President Trump hosting Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 7, 2025]] [[File:250709-D-PM193-1255 SecDef Pete Hegseth Hosts Israeli PM Netanyahu at the Pentagon.jpg|thumb|Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosting Netanyahu at the Pentagon on July 9, 2025]] After being elected in November 2024, Trump said he wished to end the Gaza war,<ref name=":52">{{cite news |date=November 6, 2024 |title=Trump gives Netanyahu two months to end the war in Gaza and opens the door to attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities |url=https://www.abc.es/internacional/trump-dos-meses-netanyahu-acabar-guerra-gaza-20241106171112-nt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121014636/https://www.abc.es/internacional/trump-dos-meses-netanyahu-acabar-guerra-gaza-20241106171112-nt.html |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |publisher=ABC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ravid |first=Barak |date=November 8, 2024 |title=Trump tells Palestinian president he wants to end Gaza war |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/11/08/trump-abbas-call-end-gaza-war |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204202322/https://www.axios.com/2024/11/08/trump-abbas-call-end-gaza-war |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=November 15, 2024 |work=Axios}}</ref> telling Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end Israel's invasion within two months<ref name=":52" /> and warning Hamas that they would have "all hell to pay" if they did not agree to a ceasefire and release all hostages by Trump's inauguration.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump appears to threaten Hamas with 'all hell to pay' over hostages |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62757dd55no |access-date=December 4, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Trump's incoming administration joined the Biden administration in pressuring negotiations,<ref name="washingtonpost202501152">{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Susannah |last2=DeYoung |first2=Karen |last3=Westfall |first3=Sammy |date=January 15, 2025 |title=Trump claims credit for ceasefire agreement |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/15/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas/#link-RO4YL25X2ZB6DJP3TWPCCUIFTE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117074926/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/15/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas/#link-RO4YL25X2ZB6DJP3TWPCCUIFTE |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="haaretz202501132">{{Cite news |last=Levinson |first=Chaim |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Trump's Mideast envoy forced Netanyahu to accept a Gaza plan he repeatedly rejected |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-13/ty-article/.premium/trumps-mideast-envoy-forced-netanyahu-to-accept-a-gaza-plan-he-repeatedly-rejected/00000194-615c-d4d0-a1f4-fbfdce850000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115214556/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-13/ty-article/.premium/trumps-mideast-envoy-forced-netanyahu-to-accept-a-gaza-plan-he-repeatedly-rejected/00000194-615c-d4d0-a1f4-fbfdce850000 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=Haaretz.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nytimes20250115a2">{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Shear |first2=Michael E. |date=January 15, 2025 |title=How the Cease-Fire Push Brought Together Biden and Trump's Teams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/us/politics/gaza-ceasefire-trump-biden.html |access-date=January 20, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and Israel and Hamas agreed to a phased ceasefire on January 15, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |author=Maariv Online |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Gov't meeting to approve hostage deal begins |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-838033 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117175722/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-838033 |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |work=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name="agreementconfirmed">{{cite news |last=Boxerman |first=Aaron |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Live Updates: Israeli Government Approves Gaza Cease-Fire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/17/world/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117231650/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/17/world/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |work=New York Times}}</ref> In February 2025, Trump proposed an American takeover of Gaza in which the territory's Palestinian population would be relocated to allow for its redevelopment, which was criticized by Egypt and Jordan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump says US will 'take over' and 'own' Gaza in redevelopment plan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/5/trump-says-us-will-take-over-and-own-gaza-in-redevelopment-plan |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Trump plan">{{Cite web |last=Haltiwanger |first=John |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Who Will Rule Over Gaza After the War? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/06/gaza-war-reconstruction-plans-trump-egypt-arab-lapid/ |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> The ceasefire lasted until March 18, when Israel launched attacks on Gaza.<ref name="breaking ceasefire">Multiple sources: * {{cite news |last1=Shurafa |first1=Wafaa |last2=Mednick |first2=Sam |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Israel launches deadly wave of airstrikes across Gaza after ceasefire talks stall |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-03-17-2025-b8753b9458a44f10ab08aa9b12582780 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=AP News |location=Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip |language=en-US}} * {{cite news |last1=Shurafa |first1=Wafaa |last2=Magdy |first2=Samy |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Strikes in Gaza kill 85 overnight, bringing the total since Israel broke ceasefire to nearly 600 |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-03-20-2025-36c07d3dc7c03f66f86f44409d504d43 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=AP News |location=Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip |quote=Hours later, Hamas fired three rockets at Israel without causing casualties, in the first such attack since Israel broke the ceasefire on Tuesday.}} * {{cite news |last1=Martínez |first1=A |last2=Lonsdorf |first2=Kat |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Israel launches new ground invasion into Gaza after breaking ceasefire |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5333858/israel-launches-new-ground-invasion-into-gaza-after-breaking-ceasefire |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=NPR |quote=Israel has launched a new ground offensive in Gaza after it broke the nearly two-month-long ceasefire with Hamas.}}</ref> Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas for renewed fighting in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title='This is on Hamas,' US special envoy Witkoff says of new Gaza fighting |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/this-is-hamas-us-special-envoy-witkoff-says-new-gaza-fighting-2025-03-23/ |work=Reuters |date=March 24, 2025}}</ref>
On May 16, while in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Trump said, "We're looking at Gaza. And we're going to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving." This is an area of tension between President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel claims that Hamas systemically raids food aid in order to support its operations, and Israel has put forward a plan of food distributed through a system of hubs run by private contractors and protected by Israeli soldiers. The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been set up to carry out this plan and announced it would be ready to begin operations by the end of May.<ref name="The Guardian, Trump acknowledges starvation in Gaza, May 16, 2025">{{cite web |title=Trump acknowledges starvation in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes kill more than 100 |website=The Guardian (UK) |date=May 16, 2025 |author1=Jason Burke |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/16/donald-trump-people-gaza-starving-us-will-take-care-of-situation}}</ref><ref name="CBS News, Trump says">{{cite web |title=Trump says "a lot of people are starving" in Gaza, as death toll from Israel's assault reportedly hits 53,000 |website=CBS News |date=May 16, 2025 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-gaza-war-trump-says-people-starving/}}</ref>
On July 28, while in Scotland, President Trump said he believed there was starvation occurring in Gaza. He further added, "Nobody's done anything great over there. The whole place is a mess... I told Israel maybe they have to do it a different way." Israeli Prime Minister said, "And what has interdicted the supply of humanitarian aid is one force, Hamas. Again, the reversal of truth."<ref name="BBC, 'real starvation,' Trump says, July 28, 2025">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2025 |title=Gaza experiencing 'real starvation,' Trump says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62nr9rglm9o.amp |work=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Guardian, does not endorse Netanyahu's claim there is no starvation, July 28, 2025">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2025 |title=Trump says he does not endorse Netanyahu's claim there is no starvation in Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/28/trump-netanyahu-starvation-gaza |work=The Guardian }}</ref>
Asked about an Israeli double-strike on a hospital on August 25, 2025, Trump said he was "not happy about it", adding, "We have to end this whole nightmare."<ref name="NBC, Israel faces new pressure over hospital strikes, August 27, 2025">{{cite web | title=Israel faces new pressure over hospital strikes as Trump chairs Gaza meeting | website=NBC | date=August 27, 2025 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/gaza/trump-meeting-gaza-israel-nasser-hospital-strikes-hamas-ceasefire-rcna227455}}</ref> [[File:US President Donald Trump speaks at the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit 02.jpg|thumb|Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025]] On September 29, 2025, President Trump announced, alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu, a 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan from the White House which consisted of 20 specific points aimed at achieving a ceasefire, the return of Israeli hostages, dismantling Hamas's military capabilities, and establishing a transitional governance structure in the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2025 |title=Trump's 21-point plan released |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869014 |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref>
In October 2025, President Trump announced his deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had been reached and that the remaining hostages would be released.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Laura |date=October 8, 2025 |title=Trump announces first phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/5546213-trump-announces-israel-hamas-ceasefire/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |website=The Hill}}</ref> In exchange, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving longterm sentences and another 1,700 other prisoners. The Israeli military will withdraw from a "blue line" to a "yellow line" further away from the Gaza coast.<ref name="ABC News, Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Oct 9, 2025">{{Cite news|date=October 9, 2025|title=Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza: What to know about proposed deal and next steps |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/israel-hamas-ceasefire-gaza-proposed-deal/story?id=126318216 }}</ref> Trump was widely praised for negotiating this settlement, including by former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and former Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rahman |first=Khaleda |date=October 13, 2025 |title=Donald Trump's Frequent Critics Sing His Praise |url=https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-frequent-critics-sing-praise-gaza-peace-deal-10868368 |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Newsweek}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Falconer |first=Rebecca |date=October 13, 2025 |title=Biden, Clinton praise Trump for Gaza peace deal |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/10/14/trump-israel-gaza-peace-deal-biden-clinton-praise |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Axios}}</ref>
===== Qatar ===== In September 2025, following an Israeli strike against suspected Hamas terrorists in Qatar's capital city of Doha, President Trump signed an executive order which stated, "The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States."<ref name="CBS News, U.S. base in Idaho, Oct 10, 2025">{{Cite news|date=October 10, 2025|title=Hegseth announces Qatar will build air force facility at U.S. base in Idaho |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-qatar-air-force-facility-us-base-idaho/ }}</ref> President Biden had begun a closer relationship with Qatar following their help with the 2001 American withdrawal from Afghanistan. In January 2022, Biden named Qatar a major non-NATO ally.<ref name="ABC News, executive order vowing to defend Qatar, Oct 1, 2025">[https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/trump-signs-executive-order-vowing-defend-qatar-wake-126115827 "Trump signs an executive order vowing to defend Qatar in the wake of Israel's strike"], ABC News, October 1, 2025. President Trump's executive order also stated, "In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests of the United States and of the state of Qatar and to restore peace and stability."</ref>
The editorial board of ''The Wall Street Journal'' wrote, "This is a decision that can be and should have been debated. Instead it comes out of the blue — an executive order following no public debate."<ref name="ABC News, executive order vowing to defend Qatar, Oct 1, 2025" />
In October, Defense Secretary Hegseth announced a training agreement that the Qatar Air Force will build a facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The United States has a similar arrangement with Singapore, at the same base. Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. will remain in charge of the facility "like we do with all partners".<ref name="CBS News, U.S. base in Idaho, Oct 10, 2025" />
===== Syria ===== [[File:President Donald Trump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa (2025).jpg|thumb|Trump with Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025]] During the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives that toppled the Assad regime in Syria, Trump said that the U.S. should stay out of the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |last=Knickmeyer |first=Ellen |display-authors=etal |date=December 7, 2024 |title=Trump says US should stay out of fighting in Syria as opposition forces gain ground |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-syria-biden-administration-rebels-assad-72015f143aa6b40bb62c09724c71e34f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207224114/https://apnews.com/article/trump-syria-biden-administration-rebels-assad-72015f143aa6b40bb62c09724c71e34f |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> In March 2025, Rubio condemned the massacres of Syrian Alawites.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 9, 2025 |title=Rubio says Syria must hold accountable 'perpetrators of massacres' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/rubio-says-syria-must-hold-accountable-perpetrators-of-massacres-/8004267.html |work=VOA News}}</ref> Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Syria after discussing the situation with Mohammed bin Salman and Erdoğan in May 2025.<ref name="Ghinwa Obeid">{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Trump says US 'exploring' normalizing Syria relations after meeting al-Sharaa in Riyadh |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2025/05/14/trump-says-normalization-of-us-relations-with-syria-have-begun |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=Al Arabiya English}}</ref><ref name="Gram Slattery et al.">{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Trump to remove US sanctions on Syria in major policy shift |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-will-remove-us-sanctions-syria-2025-05-13/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
==== Indian subcontinent ==== {{further|2025 United States–India diplomatic and trade crisis}} [[File:P20250213MR-1471.jpg|thumb|Trump with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, February 2025]] India rejected Trump's offer to mediate India–China tensions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump ruffles feathers with mediation offer to ease India-China tension |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/donald-trump-ruffles-feathers-with-offer-to-help-ties-between-india-and-china/article69220597.ece |work=The Hindu |date=February 15, 2025}}</ref> On February 13, 2025, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi became the fourth world leader to visit Donald Trump at the White House.<ref>{{cite news |title=Key takeaways from Donald Trump's meeting with India's Narendra Modi |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/14/key-takeaways-from-donald-trumps-meeting-with-indias-narendra-modi |work=Al Jazeera |date=February 14, 2025}}</ref>
In early 2025, deportations to Bhutan of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees who had been settled in the US for nearly two decades resulted in statelessness of the deportees following their interrogation and expulsion from Bhutan upon arrival. Some of the refouled refugees, who had encountered largely minor legal issues in the US, were then arrested for illegal entry to Nepal upon seeking to re-enter the refugee camps they had previously inhabited before US resettlement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Lekhanath |title=Bhutanese deported from the US again face statelessness – DW – 04/25/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/bhutanese-deported-from-the-us-again-face-statelessness/a-72352038 |access-date=April 27, 2025 |agency=Deutsche Welle |date=April 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425115934/https://www.dw.com/en/bhutanese-deported-from-the-us-again-face-statelessness/a-72352038 |archive-date=April 25, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pokharel |first1=Gaurav |title=Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees in limbo after deportation from US |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/bhutan-nepal-us-immigration |access-date=April 27, 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=April 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421105015/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/bhutan-nepal-us-immigration |archive-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref> [[File:P20250925DT-0757 President Donald Trump meets with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Trump with Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Pakistani chief of Army staff Asim Munir (right)]] In response to the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, Vice President Vance said that, a potential war between India and Pakistan is "none of our business".<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Kashmir: What's the way out of the India and Pakistan crisis? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzg8ygeezo |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Trump claimed to have negotiated a ceasefire, a claim that Pakistan corroborated and India denied.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Detrow |first=Scott |date=May 10, 2025 |title=President Trump says the US helped broker ceasefire between India and Pakistan |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/10/nx-s1-5394453/president-trump-says-the-us-helped-broker-ceasefire-between-india-and-pakistan |access-date=September 29, 2025 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2025 |title=India says no foreign pressure to stop conflict with Pakistan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y204pmrp2o |access-date=September 29, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2025 |title=At White House, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif parrots Donald Trump's role in ceasefire with India |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/at-white-house-pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharif-parrots-donald-trumps-role-in-ceasefire-with-india-101758882852627.html |access-date=September 29, 2025 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
In July 2025, Trump criticized India over its continued oil trade with Russia, despite ongoing Western sanctions.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Donald Trump Snubs India, Signs Oil Deal With Pak. What Does This Mean? |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-snubs-india-signs-oil-deal-with-pak-what-does-this-mean-8990365 |access-date=July 31, 2025 |website=NDTV |language=en}}</ref> On July 30, 2025, Trump announced that Indian products would be subject to 25% reciprocal tariffs upon arrival in the United States starting August 1, and that a "penalty" would be added for the purchase of Russian oil.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radio-Canada |title=L'Inde devient la nouvelle cible des droits de douane de Donald Trump |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2182554/inde-etats-unis-tarifs-armement-russie |access-date=July 30, 2025 |website=www.ici.radio-canada.ca |date=July 30, 2025 |language=EN-US}}</ref> On August 6, 2025, Trump raised the tariff to 50%, a 25% increase, over India's purchase of Russian oil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2025 |title=Trump threatens 50% tariffs on India for buying Russian oil |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dxr1g4y7yo |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In July 2025, Trump's administration reached a trade agreement with Pakistan, in which Trump announced that the United States would help Pakistan develop its large and untapped oil reserves.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2025 |title=Pakistan and US reach a trade agreement to develop oil reserves and reduce tariffs |url=https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-washington-trade-deal-oil-reserves-development-b891d26a9047cba4c13f098be7e068d1 |access-date=September 29, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The agreement also reduced American reciprocal tariffs on Pakistan to 19%, the lowest of any country in South Asia.<ref name=":5" />
==== Caucasus ==== {{Main|Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement}}
[[File:P20250808DT-1377 President Donald Trump signs a trilateral joint declaration with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia.jpg|thumb|Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, President Trump and Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan signing a trilateral joint declaration in Washington, D.C., on August 8, 2025]] On April 24, 2025, during the first Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day of Trump's second term, the White House issued a statement commemorating the day that did not use the term "genocide".<ref>{{cite web|title=Presidential Message on Armenian Remembrance Day, 2025|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/04/presidential-message-on-armenian-remembrance-day-2025/|website=whitehouse.gov|publisher=The White House|date=April 24, 2025|access-date=April 24, 2026}}</ref> This was seen as a reversal after Joe Biden formally recognized the Armenian genocide in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biden recognizes atrocities against Armenians as genocide|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-turkey-government-and-politics-middle-east-europe-dbe6bc9ddac90c1393e6c33ff2220781|author1=Madhani, Aamer|author2=Matthew Lee|author3=Zeynep Bilginsoy|website=apnews.com|publisher=Associated Press|date=April 24, 2021|access-date=April 24, 2026}}</ref> The second Trump administration continues to avoid using the term "genocide", instead continuing to refer to the events as the ''Medz Yeghern'' (Armenian for 'Great Catastrophe') and labeling April 24 as only "Armenian Remembrance Day".<ref>{{cite web|title=Presidential Message on Armenian Remembrance Day|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/04/presidential-message-on-armenian-remembrance-day/|website=whitehouse.gov|publisher=The White House|date=April 24, 2026|access-date=April 24, 2026}}</ref>
On August 8, 2025, Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev signed a peace agreement in a ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump in the White House,<ref>{{cite news |title=Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan shake hands and sign deal at White House peace summit |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-white-house-armenia-azerbaijan-069379e9c4a058c96af38afbf4684829 |work=AP News |date=August 9, 2025 |language=en }}</ref> aiming to end the more than 35-year conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Adam |last1=Cancryn |first2=Alejandra |last2=Jaramillo |date=August 8, 2025 |title=Trump touts his favorite type of foreign deal — promoting peace in Armenia-Azerbaijan with some personal branding |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/politics/strategic-armenia-azerbaijan-corridor-named-after-trump |access-date=August 8, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
==== Southeast Asia ==== In 2025, Trump attempted to negotiate a ceasefire in the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2025 |title=Trump Says He Expects Quick Cease-Fire Between Thailand and Cambodia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/world/asia/thailand-cambodia-fighting-conflict-expands.html |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=New York Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/rubio-says-us-officials-are-malaysia-help-cambodia-thailand-talks-2025-07-28/|title=Rubio says US officials are in Malaysia to help in Cambodia-Thailand talks|last1=Singh|first1=Kanishka|last2=Hague|first2=Tom|last3=Coates|first3=Stephen|work=Reuters|date=July 28, 2025|access-date=July 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728073745/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/rubio-says-us-officials-are-malaysia-help-cambodia-thailand-talks-2025-07-28/|archive-date=July 28, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== China ==== {{further|China–United States trade war}} [[File:President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a bilateral meeting at the Gimhae International Airport terminal (54890669668).jpg|thumb|Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Busan on October 30, 2025]] In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order that directed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to restrict Chinese investment in strategic economic areas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holland |first=Steve |date=February 22, 2025 |title=Trump orders use of CFIUS to restrict Chinese investments in strategic areas |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-use-cfius-restrict-chinese-investments-strategic-areas-white-house-2025-02-21/ |access-date=February 22, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
Trump blamed China for the opioid crisis in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=How does fentanyl get into the US? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg93nn1e6go |work=BBC News |date=March 4, 2025}}</ref> He said the tariffs are intended to pressure China to do more to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US.<ref>{{cite news |title=Can Trump's tariffs break China's grip on manufacturing? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxqeg51y36o |work=BBC News |date=March 5, 2025}}</ref> Opioids, predominantly fentanyl, have killed over 500,000 Americans since 2012.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Felbab-Brown |first=Vanda |date=February 17, 2025 |title=The New War on Drugs |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/canada/new-war-drugs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226170429/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/canada/new-war-drugs |archive-date=February 26, 2025 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=Foreign Affairs}}</ref>
In September 2025, Trump asked the EU to impose 100% tariffs on China to punish it for buying Russian oil and de facto financing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoskins |first1=Peter |title=Trump lobbies EU for 100% tariffs on China and India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80gvz3l7n2o |work=BBC News |date=September 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kozul-Wright |first1=Alex |title=Can the EU and NATO impose tariffs on India and China, as Trump wants? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/15/can-the-eu-and-nato-impose-tariffs-on-india-and-china-as-trump-wants |work=Al Jazeera |date=September 15, 2025}}</ref>
===Oceania=== ====Australia==== On October 21, 2025, partly as a consequence of the China–U.S. trade war that included China imposing restrictions on its sale of processed rare-earth elements, Trump signed a deal with Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia,<ref name="sherman2025">{{cite web | last=Sherman | first=Natalie | title=US and Australia sign rare earths deal to counter China's dominance | website=BBC News | date=October 21, 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly9kvrdk2xo | access-date=October 22, 2025}}</ref> over rare-earths and other critical minerals{{efn|Rare-earth elements or minerals are distinct from minerals or materials described as critical minerals or raw materials, which refers to materials that are considered to be of strategic or economic importance to a country. There is no single list, but individual governments compile lists of materials that are critical for their own economies.<ref>{{cite web | title=What are 'critical minerals' and what is their significance for climate change action? | website=Grantham Research Institute | date=May 30, 2023| url=https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-are-critical-minerals-and-what-is-their-significance-for-climate-change-action/ | access-date=September 25, 2025}}</ref> However the two terms are often used interchangeably, especially in the U.S.}} that are needed for commercial clean energy production and technologically advanced military hardware. They each committed to provide at least US$1bn (A$1.54bn) towards a number of projects worth $US8.5bn (A$13bn) in both countries over six months.<ref name="barrett">{{cite web | last=Barrett | first=Jonathan | title=Australia and the US have signed a critical minerals deal to take on China's monopoly. Here's what you need to know | website=The Guardian | date=October 21, 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/21/australia-us-critical-minerals-rare-earths-deal-china-explainer | access-date=October 22, 2025 | archive-date=October 22, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251022071953/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/21/australia-us-critical-minerals-rare-earths-deal-china-explainer | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name="govtannounce">{{cite web | title=United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths | website=Department of Industry, Science and Resources | date=October 21, 2025 | url=https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/united-states-australia-framework-securing-supply-mining-and-processing-critical-minerals-and-rare-earths | access-date=October 22, 2025}}</ref> The deal has been well received by the Australian rare-earths industry<ref name=li2025>{{cite news |title=Critical minerals industry cheers deal that will 'encourage greater investment' as stock prices swing |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-22/critical-minerals-industry-us-china-deal-rare-earths-stocks/105915274 |agency=abc.net.au |date=October 21, 2025}}</ref><ref name="wood2025">{{cite web | last=Wood | first=Richard | title=Australia can expect economic bonanza from rare earths deal, mining boss says | website=9News | date=October 21, 2025 | url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-and-us-rare-earths-deal-a-game-changer-says-minerals-company-boss/dc588a43-47f7-472e-865a-c5bc90f83384 | access-date=October 23, 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251023012539/https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-and-us-rare-earths-deal-a-game-changer-says-minerals-company-boss/dc588a43-47f7-472e-865a-c5bc90f83384| archive-date= October 23, 2025| url-status=live}}</ref> and the markets,<ref name=capolingua>{{cite news |title=Albo and Trump just had a convo about rare earths and critical minerals – here's what you need to know |url=https://www.marketindex.com.au/news/albo-and-trump-just-had-a-convo-about-rare-earths-and-critical-minerals |agency=marketindex.com.au |date=October 21, 2025}}</ref> and is important to the U.S. because rare earths are used in many technologies, including components of the Defense Force such as F-35 fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles.<ref>{{cite web | last=Wood | first=Richard | title=Why the Australia-US rare earths deal matters so much for Trump | website=Trump Albanese meeting: Why the Australia-US rare earths deal matters so much for Trump | date=October 21, 2025 | url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-and-us-rare-earths-deal-why-critical-minerals-are-so-vital-explained/c8ccd0ac-b0a1-467b-bdd3-ee35823d6d92 | access-date=October 23, 2025| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20251023013212/https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-and-us-rare-earths-deal-why-critical-minerals-are-so-vital-explained/c8ccd0ac-b0a1-467b-bdd3-ee35823d6d92| archive-date= October 23, 2025| url-status=live}}</ref> The deal is also seen as a major shift in economic alliances.<ref name="capolingua" />
=== Foreign aid === {{main|United States Agency for International Development}} ==== Freezing most programs for 90 days ==== DOGE dismantled most of USAID,<ref name=":10">{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-usaid-c0c7799be0b2fa7cad4c806565985fe2|title=Trump and Musk move to dismantle USAID, igniting battle with Democratic lawmakers|date=February 3, 2025|access-date=February 5, 2025|first1=Ellen|last1=Knickmeyer|first2=Farnoush|last2=Amiri|first3=Adriana|last3=Gomez Licon|work=Associated Press News}}</ref> which had been a 10,000-person agency originally tasked to carry-out humanitarian projects.<ref>{{cite report|first=Emily M.|last=McCabe|title=U.S. Agency for International Development: An Overview|publisher=Congressional Research Service|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10261|date=January 6, 2025|access-date=February 11, 2025}}</ref> USAID's critics maintained that many of the projects were in fact not all that humanitarian and/or much of the money was not well spent.<ref>{{cite news| last = Seddon | first = Sean | title = What is USAID and why does Donald Trump want to end it? | newspaper = BBC News | language = English | date = February 7, 2025 | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyezjwnx5ko | access-date = March 17, 2025}}</ref>
In January 2025, the administration issued a 90-day stop-work order worldwide,<ref name="AP News, State Department freezes new funding, January 24, 2025">{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2025 |title=State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide |first1=Ellen |last1=Knickmeyer |first2=Farnoush |last2=Amiri |url=https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa |work=AP News}}</ref><ref name="ProPublica-Jan">{{cite news|title='People Will Die': The Trump Administration Said It Lifted Its Ban on Lifesaving Humanitarian Aid. That's Not True.|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-state-department-usaid-humanitarian-aid-freeze-ukraine-gaza-sudan|last1=Murphy|first1=Brett|last2=Barry-Jester|first2=Anna Maria|date=January 31, 2025|access-date=February 11, 2025|work=ProPublica}}</ref> Stop work interrupted about 30 clinical trials,<ref>{{cite news|last=Nolen |first=Stephanie |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Abandoned in the Middle of Clinical Trials, Because of a Trump Order |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 11, 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/health/usaid-clinical-trials-funding-trump.html}}</ref> and interrupted projects such as emergency medical care for displaced Palestinians and Yemenis, aid for war refugees on the Sudan-Chad border, and electricity for Ukrainian refugees.<ref name="ProPublica-Jan" /> The HIV Modeling Consortium estimated the death toll from HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at approximately 15,000 adults and 1,600 children in the one month after Trump's January 2025 funding freeze.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nearly 15,000 will have died already because of Trump and Musk's cuts to USAID, advocacy program claims |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-musk-usaid-cuts-deaths-aids-hiv-b2708883.html |last=Lubin |first=Rhian |date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Independent }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Impact Counter |title=PEPFAR Impact Tracker |url=https://pepfar.impactcounter.com/ |date=March 4, 2025 }}</ref> A key controversy is whether or not waivers are being made and money actually starting to flow again for the most essential programs.<ref name="ProPublica-Jan" /> For example, the Associated Press reported on February 19, that waivers for PEPFAR, the program that has saved 26 million lives from AIDS, were not in force, despite a federal judge having lifted the funding freeze.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-aid-usaid-pepfar-africa-hiv-396263cd9e7281af7d543d3c68fa465a |title=Trump's foreign aid freeze halted a crucial program fighting HIV in Africa. Here's what's at stake |author1=Farai Mutsaka |author2=Gerald Imray |date=February 19, 2025 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref>
thumb|U.S. Army and Air Force service members assisted USAID with the transportation of nearly 12,000 pounds of medical kits from the Netherlands, through Germany and on to Lebanon in August 2020. In early February 2025, it was reported that the USAID director of security and a deputy were put on administrative leave after they "blocked efforts by DOGE members to physically access restricted areas" in order to obtain sensitive information. The DOGE members eventually gained access to the information, which reportedly included email as well as classified information for which they did not have security clearance. And they obtained the ability to lock USAID staff out. Musk had earlier tweeted "USAID is a criminal organization" and that it is "time for it to die".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roth |first=Andrew |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Senior USAID officials put on leave after denying access to Musk's Doge team |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/02/usaid-officials-put-on-leave-musk-doge |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Estimates do vary. Oxfam criticized Musk's policies and actions as the world's richest individual deciding "to shutter the world's largest provider of lifesaving humanitarian aid".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The human impact of USAID cuts |url=https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/issues/making-foreign-aid-work/human-impact-of-usaid-cuts/ |website=Oxfam}}</ref>
USAID staff were instructed to keep away from USAID headquarters while hundreds of USAID staff lost access to USAID computer systems.<ref name=":10" />
There have been reports that China has offered to take over development projects if the United States permanently leaves.<ref name="CNN, Trump says dismantling, Feb 7, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Paddison |first=Laura |date=February 7, 2025 |title=Trump says dismantling the USAID will save money. Experts say it's a 'great gift' for China |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/07/climate/usaid-trump-china/index.html |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Politico, As USAID, Feb 10, 2025">{{Cite web |last1=Gramer |first1=Robbie |last2=Bazail-Eimil |first2=Eric |last3=Kine |first3=Phelim |date=February 10, 2025 |title=As USAID retreats, China pounces |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2025/02/10/as-usaid-retreats-china-pounces-00195922 |website=Politico |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NBC News, Cambodian mine-clearing, Feb 14, 2025">{{Cite web |last1=Delgado |first1=Anton L. |last2=Frayer | first2=Janis Mackey |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Cambodian mine-clearing program reels after Trump's USAID funding suspension |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/usaid-cambodia-demining-trump-cuts-funding-rcna192172 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
During a February 6 press conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "If it's providing food or medicine or anything that is saving lives and is immediate and urgent, you're not included in the freeze."<ref name="CNN, State Department says humanitarian, February 8, 2025" /> However, a February 8 CNN article reported that many waivers were not being acted upon because of staff placed on leave, plus payment systems had been taken over.<ref name="CNN, State Department says humanitarian, February 8, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Lauren |date=February 8, 2025 |title=The US State Department says humanitarian assistance can continue. Foreign aid workers say that's not happening |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/08/world/usaid-humanitarian-assistance-aid-freeze-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> In an interview before the February 9 Super Bowl, Trump said, "Let him take care of the few good ones", referring to Rubio.<ref name="AP News, Unspent aid worth billions, Feb 11, 2035">{{cite news |last=Knickmeyer |first=Ellen |url=https://apnews.com/article/usaid-trump-musk-leave-staffers-9099c61b33aa7e4bfd40e849853be3b6 |title=Unspent aid worth billions lacks oversight as Trump dismantles USAID, watchdog warns |work=AP News |date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/usaid-foreign-aid-trump-rubio-48f8460804d33bdaa18d7765c4b24f9e|title=Judge blocks Trump from placing thousands of USAID workers on leave and giving them 30-day deadline|first1=Ellen|last1=Knickmeyer|first2=Michael|last2=Kunzelman|date=February 7, 2025|access-date=February 10, 2025|work=Associated Press News}}</ref>
On February 13, federal judge Amir Ali ordered the Trump administration to continue contracts and grants which were in effect January 19.<ref name="CBS News, Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily restore funding, Feb 13, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Melissa |date=February 13, 2025 |title=Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily restore funding for foreign assistance programs |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-canceling-foreign-aid-awards-in-place-before-his-inauguration/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> Chief Justice John Roberts, overseeing cases for the District of Columbia, paused this order.<ref name="CBS News, Chief Justice halts, Feb 27, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Melissa |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Chief justice halts lower court decision ordering Trump administration to pay State Department, USAID contractors |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-supreme-court-foreign-aid-freeze/ |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Reuters, Foreign aid groups ask, Feb 28, 2025">{{Cite news |last=Kruzel |first=John |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Foreign aid groups ask US Supreme Court to require Trump to release funds |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/foreign-aid-groups-ask-us-supreme-court-require-trump-release-funds-2025-02-28/ |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref> On March 5, the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that the Trump administration must comply with Judge Ali's order.<ref name="CBS News, Supreme Court won't lift lower court order, March 5, 2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blumenthal |first=Paul |date=March 5, 2025 |title=Supreme Court Says Trump Administration Must Release Frozen Foreign Aid Funds |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-usaid-supreme-court_n_67c85d47e4b06ea0f75950fe |access-date=March 5, 2025 |website=Huffington Post |language=en}}</ref> However, the Supreme Court stated that Judge Ali must clarify the payment obligations with "due regard for the feasibility of any compliance timelines".<ref name="CBS News, Supreme Court won't lift lower court order, March 5, 2025">{{Cite web |last1=Quinn |first1=Melissa |date=March 5, 2025| title=Supreme Court won't lift lower court order unfreezing $2 billion in foreign aid funding |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-foreign-aid-usaid/ |website=CBS News |language=en}}</ref> On March 10, Judge Ali ruled that the Trump administration must pay for completed projects at the rate of 300 back payments a day, meaning four days for all 1,200 back payments, and this being for projects completed by February 13.<ref name="Axios, Judge holds Congress has power, March 11, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Falconer |first=Rebecca |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Judge holds Congress has power on foreign aid spending, not president |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/trump-usaid-foreign-aid-payments-power |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ABC & Associated Press, Trump overstepped, March 11, 2025">{{Cite web |last=Knickmeyer |first=Ellen |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Trump overstepped his constitutional authority in freezing Congress' funding for USAID, judge says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trump-overstepped-constitutional-authority-freezing-congress-funding-usaid-119667322 |website=ABC News|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> A March 11 ABC News article reported that, until recently, no payments were being made because DOGE had disabled the payment system.<ref name="ABC & Associated Press, Trump overstepped, March 11, 2025" />
==== Keeping 17% of programs ==== On March 10, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he was cancelling 83% of USAID programs, or approximately 5,200 out of 6,200 programs. The remaining 1,000 programs (approximately) would be moved to the Department of State.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knickmeyer |first1=Ellen |title=Secretary of State Rubio says purge of USAID programs complete, with 83% of agency's programs gone |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-rubio-usaid-foreign-aid-bf442d62af67918a6fc5eee839074601 |access-date=March 12, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |date=March 10, 2025}}</ref><ref name="CBS News, Secretary of state says 83%, March 10, 2025">{{cite web | title=Secretary of state says 83% of USAID programs are being canceled | website=CBS News | date=March 10, 2025 | author1=Caroline Linton | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secretary-of-state-usaid-programs-canceled/}}</ref> As of late March, DOGE no longer lists the details of canceled USAID contracts on its "Wall of Receipts".<ref name="CBS News, DOGE removes details, Mar 26, 2025">{{Cite web |last1=Ingram |last2=Kates |last3=Ruetenik |date=March 26, 2025 |title=DOGE removes details on canceled USAID contracts from its online "wall of receipts" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-usaid-contracts-details-removed-wall-of-receipts/ |website=CBS News, please see 5th paragraph and last paragraph |language=en}}</ref>
DOGE lists approximately $12 billion saved, although a former USAID analyst estimates the actual amount is closer to $6 or $7 billion.<ref name="CBS News, DOGE removes details, Mar 26, 2025" />
In early April, USAID announced it was adding back 14 nations to grants under the UN's World Food Programme. These nations include Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq and Ecuador, plus the International Organization for Migration in the Pacific region.<ref name="Reuters, Trump administration moves, April 8, 2025">{{cite web |author1= |date=April 8, 2025 |title=Exclusive: Trump administration moves to restore some terminated foreign aid programs, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-moves-restore-some-terminated-foreign-aid-programs-sources-2025-04-08/ |website=Reuters}}</ref> However, food aid was not restored to either Yemen or Afghanistan, with a State Department spokesperson saying this was "based on concern that the funding was benefiting terrorist groups, including the Houthis and the Taliban".<ref name="CNN, USAID reverses course, April 9, 2025">{{cite web | title=USAID reverses course and restores some humanitarian aid contracts after WFP warning of possible deadly consequences | website=CNN | date=April 9, 2025 | author1=Jennifer Hansler | url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/08/politics/trump-admin-aid-yemen-afghanistan/index.html}}</ref>
==== July 2025 rescissions ("claw backs"), but not for PEPFAR ==== In June 2025, the White House requested that Congress pass a package of rescissions, or "claw backs", of approximately $8 billion in foreign aid and $1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting including NPR and PBS.<ref name="CBS, Trump's request to cancel billions, July 15, 2025" />
The House of Representatives passed the cuts as requested. The Senate excluded the PEPFAR cuts, which is the program started in 2003 during the presidency of George W Bush to help provide HIV medicines to lower-income countries. The Senate passed two preliminary votes in close 51-50 fashion with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking votes. A rescission is one of the exceptions to the Senate's 60-vote filibuster rule.<ref name="CBS, Trump's request to cancel billions, July 15, 2025">{{Cite news |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Senate advances Trump's request to cancel billions in foreign aid, NPR and PBS funding |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-rescissions-package-foreign-aid-npr-pbs-funding/ |work=CBS |quote=The rescissions request would cut $8.3 billion for the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, along with other international assistance programs — from peacekeeping efforts to refugee assistance and climate projects. }}</ref>
President Trump focused on the public broadcasting aspect, criticizing CNN and also "MSDNC" which is a mix of MSNBC and DNC (Democratic National Committee). In a Truth Social post, he wrote, "It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & MSDNC put together."<ref name="ABC, Senate to vote to formalize, July 14, 2025" />
In a late night session at 2:00 AM on July 17, the Senate voted 51–48 in favor of the cuts. Later that same day, the House of Representatives voted 216 - 213 for the Senate version, meaning PEPFAR was protected in the amount of $400 million.<ref name="ABC, Senate to vote to formalize, July 14, 2025">[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-formalize-cuts-public-broadcast-usaid-weeks-end/story?id=123741614 "Senate to vote to formalize DOGE cuts to public broadcasting, USAID"], ''ABC News'', July 14, 2025. In a post on July 10, President Trump said, "It is very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill and, in particular, DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), which is worse than CNN & MSDNC put together. Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"</ref> Regarding the cuts to public broadcasting, service to rural areas became one of the political issues.<ref name="NBC, Trump's cuts clear Congress, July 17, 2025">{{Cite news |date=July 17, 2025 |title=Trump's cuts to NPR, PBS and foreign aid clear Congress |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/trumps-cuts-npr-pbs-foreign-aid-pass-congress-rcna219296 |work=NBC }}</ref>
=== Disaster response === ==== Myanmar earthquake, March 2025 ==== President Trump stated the United States would help in response to the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, although the question was asked by a former USAID executive of whether or not the United States will beat other countries in getting there with a relief team(s).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/state-department-notified-congress-intent-reorganize-usaid-rubio-says-2025-03-28/ |title=Remaining USAID staff fired, Trump says Myanmar will still get earthquake aid |author1=Jonathan Landay |author2=Daphne Psaledakis |website=Reuters |date=March 28, 2025}}</ref>
==== Hurricane Melissa, October 2025 ==== Hurricane Melissa was a Category 5 hurricane which first made landfall at Jamaica on October 28, 2025, and then hit other Caribbean islands. Secretary of State Rubio activated a disaster assistance response team. By October 31, three U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopters were deployed to Jamaica to help with relief efforts, with five more on the way.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 1, 2025 |title=Jamaica relief efforts continue in aftermath of Hurricane Melissa |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jamaica-relief-efforts-continue-aftermath-of-hurricane-melissa/ |work=CBS News}}</ref> In early November, the State Department promised $12 million in aid to Jamaica, $8 to Haiti, $3 million to Cuba, and 1/2 million to The Bahamas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 10, 2025 |title=State Department touts foreign assistance during Hurricane Melissa without USAID |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/state-department-touts-foreign-assistance-hurricane-melissa-usaid/story?id=127361232 |work=ABC News}}</ref>
=== Refugees === On January 20, 2025, Trump signed the executive order named "Securing Our Borders". This order suspends the the Uniting for Ukraine parole program, and no new applications from Ukrainian refugees with relatives in the United States are being accepted.<ref>{{cite web |date= January 28, 2025|title=USCIS Officially Pauses Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Applications and Ukrainian Re-Parole until Further Notice|url=https://ukrainetaskforce.org/uscis-officially-pauses-new-uniting-for-ukraine-u4u-applications-until-further-notice/ |website= Ukraine immigration task force |access-date=February 24, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. pauses immigration applications for certain migrants welcomed under Biden |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-pauses-immigration-applications-for-certain-migrants-welcomed-under-biden/ |work=CBS News |date=February 19, 2025}}</ref>
On May 12, 59 white South African refugees arrived from South Africa. The Trump administration has been criticized for fast-tracking their applications while pausing other refugee programs.<ref name="ABC News, First group of 49 white South Africans, May 11, 2025">{{cite web | title=First group of 49 white South Africans leaves for the US after Trump offered them refugee status | website=ABC News | date=May 11, 2025 | author1=Gerald Imray, Associated Press | url=https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/group-49-white-south-africans-leaves-us-after-121696684}}</ref>
The Trump administration slowed the entry of Afghan refugees into the U.S., including persons who had fought on the U.S. side against the Taliban. A leader of an American veterans group said, "these pilots risked everything for America. Their lives are now on the line because of our failure to follow through on our promises."<ref name="CNN News, Afghan pilots who fought in 20-year war against Taliban in limbo, March 28, 2025">{{cite web | title=Afghan pilots who fought in 20-year war against Taliban in limbo after Trump blocks US resettlement plans | website=CNN News | date=March 28, 2025 | author1=Sophia Saifi | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/28/asia/afghanistan-war-pilots-limbo-us-resettlement-intl-hnk-dst}}</ref>
On May 12, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem announced that TPS, or temporary protected status, for Afghan refugees would be ended in 60 days, which is the shortest time period permitted by United States law. This decision cited improved conditions in Afghanistan.<ref name="The Hill, Trump administration ends protections from deportation for Afghans, May 12, 2025" />
''The Hill'' reports that the UN high commissioner for refugees has stated that the situation in Afghanistan has not improved, with a report stating "The large-scale returns are putting even greater pressure on already stretched humanitarian resources." On the other hand, Secretary Noem has pointed to an increase in tourists from China and a drop in the number of Afghans needing assistance from 29 million to 24 million. <ref name="The Hill, Trump administration ends protections from deportation for Afghans, May 12, 2025">{{cite web | title=Trump administration ends protections from deportation for Afghans | website=The Hill | date=May 12, 2025 | author1=Rebecca Beitsch | url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5295656-trump-administration-lifts-afghan-deportation/amp/}}</ref>
Fox News reported that the leader of "Afghans for Trump", which formed in the aftermath of President Biden's chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, claimed that conditions have not significantly improved and urged President Trump to reconsider.<ref name="Fox News, 'Afghans for Trump' group feels abandoned, May 16, 2025">{{cite web | title='Afghans for Trump' group feels abandoned after administration revokes refugee protections | website=Fox News | date=May 16, 2025 | author1=Morgan Phillips | url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/afghans-trump-group-feels-abandoned-after-administration-revokes-refugee-protections.amp}}</ref>
=== Expansionism and revanchism === {{main|American expansionism under Donald Trump}}
[[File:OTAN Summit 2025 - June 25, 2025 (54611827592).jpg|thumb|Trump with NATO general secretary Mark Rutte at the 2025 The Hague NATO summit]] In the lead-up to his second inauguration, Trump proposed plans and ideas that would expand the United States' political influence and territory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/us/politics/trump-greenland-panama-canal.html |title=Trump's Wish to Control Greenland and Panama Canal: Not a Joke This Time |work=The New York Times |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Friedman |first2=Lisa |date=December 23, 2024}}</ref> It has been characterized as a revival of the Monroe Doctrine.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeYoung |first=Karen |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Trump revives Monroe Doctrine in U.S. relations with Western Hemisphere |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/28/trump-latin-america-monroe-doctrine/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> The last territory acquired by the United States was in 1947 when the Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands were acquired.
==== Canada ==== {{see also|Movements for the annexation of Canada to the United States#Proposals to annex Canada by Donald Trump}} [[File:P20250616DT-0088 President Donald Trump attends the G7 Summit in Canada.jpg|thumb|Trump with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, June 2025]] The Trump administration has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imports that do not fall under Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, with exceptions for steel, aluminum, and Canadian-made passenger vehicle content.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ensing |first1=Chris |title=Global tariffs gave Canada unexpected advantage. How Trump's pause narrows Windsor's silver lining |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/trump-tariffs-canada-unexpected-advantage-1.7507240 |website=CBC |access-date=April 14, 2025 |language=en }}</ref> Canadian officials responded with retaliatory 25% tariffs,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tasker |first1=John Paul |title=Canada hits U.S. with tariffs on $29.8B worth of goods after Trump slaps levy on metals |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-retaliatory-tariffs-1.7481258 |website=CBC |access-date=April 14, 2025 |language=en |date=March 12, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Canada announces entry into force of countermeasures against auto imports from the United States |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/04/canada-announces-entry-into-force-of-countermeasures-against-auto-imports-from-the-united-states.html |website=www.canada.ca |publisher=Department of Finance Canada |access-date=April 14, 2025 |date=April 8, 2025}}</ref> and have even proposed cutting off the supply of Canadian energy into the Northern United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Egan |first1=Matt |last2=Newton |first2=Paula |date=December 13, 2024 |title=Canadian official threatens to cut off energy to the United States |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/13/business/canadian-us-energy/index.html |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=CNN Business |publisher=CNN|language=en}}</ref> Manitoba has diverted energy to Canada that it previously supplied to the USA.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKendrick |first1=Devon |title='Help us build trade corridors': Manitoba shifting hydro energy for the U.S. to be used in Canada |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/help-us-build-trade-corridors-manitoba-shifting-hydro-energy-for-the-us-to-be-used-in-canada/ |website=CTVNews |access-date=April 14, 2025 |language=en |date=April 14, 2025 }}</ref> Peter Navarro, a trade envoy and high-ranking Trump official, has suggested expelling Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to increase pressure in the trade war.<ref name="p983">{{cite web |last1=Hurley |first1=Bevan |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Canada should be expelled from Five Eyes, Trump aide suggests |url=https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/canada-should-be-expelled-from-five-eyes-trump-aide-suggests-7n599nclj |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=The Times}}</ref>
Trump has repeatedly stated his desire for the United States to annex Canada and calling for it to become the 51st state,<ref name="d293">{{cite web | last=Durkee | first=Alison | title=Trump Confirms He's Serious About Wanting Canada As 51st State | website=Forbes | date=February 9, 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/02/09/trump-confirms-hes-serious-about-wanting-canada-as-51st-state/ | access-date=February 28, 2025}}</ref> calling former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau "Governor of the Great State of Canada".<ref>{{cite news |last=Watson |first=Kathryn |date=December 10, 2024 |title=Trump trolls Justin Trudeau as 'governor' of the 'great state' of Canada |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-trolls-justin-trudeau-governor-canada/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> Trudeau stated to business leaders in Canada that he believes the annexation threats are a "real thing".<ref name="s944">{{cite web | title=Justin Trudeau caught on hot mic reportedly saying Trump's talk of making Canada a U.S. state is 'a real thing' | website=CBS News | date=February 8, 2025 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justin-trudeau-on-hot-mic-reportedly-trump-talk-canada-us-state-a-real-thing/ | access-date=February 28, 2025}}</ref> The strained relations have led to a "Buy Canadian" movement to boycott American goods and services,<ref name="u378">{{cite web | last=Walschots | first=Michael | title='Buying Canadian' is an opportunity to reflect on the ethics of consumerism | website=The Conversation | date=February 28, 2025 | url=https://theconversation.com/buying-canadian-is-an-opportunity-to-reflect-on-the-ethics-of-consumerism-249830 | access-date=February 28, 2025}}</ref> and booing the American national anthem during international hockey games.<ref name="t749">{{cite web | last=Maimann | first=Kevin | title=From booing to singing, crowds keep drowning out anthems at Canadian sporting events | website=CBC | date=February 13, 2025 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/drowning-out-anthems-1.7458441 | access-date=February 28, 2025}}</ref> When tariffs were implemented on March 4, Trudeau stated that Trump's goal in the trade war was to weaken Canada in order to annex it.<ref name="g713">{{cite web | last1=Thanthong-Knight | first1=Randy | last2=Platt | first2=Brian | title=Trump's Goal in Trade War Is to Annex Canada, Trudeau Says | website=Bloomberg.com | date=March 4, 2025 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-04/trump-s-goal-in-trade-war-is-to-annex-canada-trudeau-says | access-date=March 5, 2025}}</ref>
On February 8, 2026, Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, citing Canada's recent trade developments with China and the alleged one-sided nature of the contract (wherein Canada gains all revenue from bridge tolls to pay back construction costs). Trump said the bridge's opening will be delayed until multiple trade and bridge related grievances were resolved. Trump's announcement was criticised by politicians, business leaders and industry groups.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cameron|first1=Chris|last2=Isai|first2=Vjosa|date=February 8, 2026|title=Trump Threatens to Block Opening of New Bridge to Canada|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/us/politics/trump-gordie-howe-bridge-canada.html|access-date=February 9, 2026|website=New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wendler |first=Jacob |date=February 9, 2026 |title=Trump threatens to block opening of new Michigan-Canada bridge |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/09/trump-threatens-to-block-opening-of-new-michigan-canada-bridge-00772582 |access-date=February 10, 2026 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waldenberg |first=Lex Harvey, Samantha |date=February 10, 2026 |title=Trump threatens to block opening of new US-Canada bridge |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/politics/gordie-howe-bridge-canada-trump-threat-intl-hnk |access-date=February 10, 2026 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
On February 12, 2026, the United States House of Representatives voted to repeal the tariffs that had been imposed on Canadian goods during Donald Trump's administration. The resolution passed by a 219–211 vote, with a small number of Republican lawmakers joining nearly all Democrats in support. The tariffs had originally been enacted under a national emergency declaration in February 2025, and their repeal represented a rare bipartisan rebuke of Trump's trade policy. Following the vote, President Trump reportedly threatened political consequences for Republicans who voted against the measure. While passage in the House reflects congressional concern over the tariffs, actual repeal would still require Senate approval and presidential assent, and was expected to face a potential veto.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-backs-bid-end-canada-tariffs-rare-rebuke-trump-2026-02-11/|title=US House votes against Canada tariffs in rare rebuke to Trump |work=Reuters }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2026 |title=US House backs resolution against Trump's Canada tariffs in a rare split - BusinessToday |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/world/us/story/us-house-backs-resolution-against-trumps-canada-tariffs-in-a-rare-split-515768-2026-02-12 |access-date=February 12, 2026 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2026/02/11/house-votes-to-block-trumps-canada-tariffs-with-support-from-6-republicans/|title=6 House Republicans Vote To Defy Trump On Canada Tariffs|first=Antonio Pequeño|last=IV|website=Forbes}}</ref>
==== Greenland ==== {{See also|Greenland crisis|Proposals for the United States to purchase Greenland}} [[File:Jens-Frederik Nielsen & Mette Frederiksen by Christian Ursilva (3).jpg|thumb|Greenlandic leader Jens Frederik-Nielsen announcing "We choose Denmark" at a January 2026 press conference with Mette Frederiksen in response to Trump's threats to invade or annex the country<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2026 |title=Greenland chooses Denmark over US, island's PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g3kw5ezepo |access-date=January 21, 2026 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2026 |title=Jens-Frederik Nielsen: Vi vælger Kongeriget Danmark |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/groenland/jens-frederik-nielsen-vi-vaelger-kongeriget-danmark |access-date=January 21, 2026 |website=DR |language=da-DK}}</ref>]] In December 2024, Trump stated a further proposal for the United States to purchase Greenland from Denmark, describing "ownership" and control of the island as "an absolute necessity" for national security purposes. This builds upon a prior offer from Trump to buy Greenland during his first term, which the Danish Realm refused, causing him to cancel his August 2019 visit to Denmark.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCormack |first=Caitlin |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Trump indicates he may be interested in buying Greenland — again |url=https://nypost.com/2024/12/23/us-news/trump-indicates-he-may-be-interested-in-buying-greenland-again/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=See WP:NYPOST|date=February 2025}} On January 7, 2025, Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland's capital city Nuuk alongside Charlie Kirk to hand out MAGA hats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eller |first=Emil |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Trumps søn beskyldte Danmark for racisme: 'Det har han sådan set ret i' |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/trumps-soen-beskyldte-danmark-racisme-det-har-han-saadan-set-ret-i |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117163132/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/trumps-soen-beskyldte-danmark-racisme-det-har-han-saadan-set-ret-i |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=DR}}</ref> At a press conference the following day, Trump refused to rule out military or economic force to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal.<ref name="Davies-2025">{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Alys |last2=Wendling |first2=Mike |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Trump ramps up threats to gain control of Greenland and Panama Canal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzn48jwz2o |access-date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, he did rule out military force in taking over Canada.<ref name="Davies-2025" /> On January 14, the Trump-affiliated Nelk Boys also visited Nuuk, handing out dollar bills to locals.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gille |first1=Anna Danielsen |last2=Jørgensen |first2=Nicolai Jørgen |date=January 15, 2025 |title=Jacobs 11-årige søn fik 100 dollar af Trumps YouTube-venner i Nuuk: 'Ikke i orden' |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/jacobs-11-aarige-soen-fik-100-dollar-af-trumps-youtube-venner-i-nuuk-ikke-i-orden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117161422/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/jacobs-11-aarige-soen-fik-100-dollar-af-trumps-youtube-venner-i-nuuk-ikke-i-orden |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=DR}}</ref> On January 16, the CEOs of major Danish companies Novo Nordisk, Vestas and Carlsberg among others were assembled for a crisis meeting in the Ministry of State to discuss the situation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jørgensen |first=Steen A. |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Politikere har været til nyt hastemøde om Trump og Grønland |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/politik/ECE17817853/politikere-har-vaeret-til-nyt-hastemoede-om-trump-og-groenland/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117155746/https://jyllands-posten.dk/politik/ECE17817853/politikere-har-vaeret-til-nyt-hastemoede-om-trump-og-groenland/ |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |work=Jyllands-Posten}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mortensen |first=Mikkel Walentin |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Mens verden holder vejret, forbereder danske virksomheder sig på Trumps trusler |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/business/2025-01-16-mens-verden-holder-vejret-forbereder-danske-virksomheder-sig-paa-trumps-trusler |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117160019/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/business/2025-01-16-mens-verden-holder-vejret-forbereder-danske-virksomheder-sig-paa-trumps-trusler |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=TV 2}}</ref>
On the subsequent day, former chief executive Friis Arne Petersen in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the situation as "historically unheard of", while Noa Redington, special adviser to former prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, compared the international pressure on Denmark that during the 2005 ''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons controversy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hansted |first=Morten |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Danmark i "historisk uhørt" krise: – Alarmtilstanden går kun én vej, og det er op |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2025-01-17-danmark-i-historisk-uhoert-krise-alarmtilstanden-gaar-kun-en-vej-og-det-er-op |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117155039/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2025-01-17-danmark-i-historisk-uhoert-krise-alarmtilstanden-gaar-kun-en-vej-og-det-er-op |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=TV 2}}</ref> On February 12, 2025, a bill was introduced in Congress to advance efforts to acquire Greenland and rename it Red, White, and Blueland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meville |first=Doug |date=February 12, 2025 |title=New Bill proposes Greenland be renamed to "Red, White, and Blueland". Say What? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougmelville/2025/02/12/new-bill-proposes-greenland-be-renamed-red-white-and-blueland-is-this-the-next-gulf-of-america/ |access-date=February 26, 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref> Trump's actions against Greenland have been described as hybrid warfare by academics and analysts.<ref name=dab>{{cite news |title=Eksperter: USA fører hybridkrig mod Grønland|trans-title=Experts: The USA is waging hybrid warfare against Greenland|url=https://borsen.dk/nyheder/politik/eksperter-er-ikke-i-tvivl-usa-forer-hybridkrig-i-gronland |access-date=January 9, 2026 |work=Dagbladet Børsen |quote=Det er decideret hybrid krigsførelse, når amerikanerne forsøger at købe sig til et valgresultat i Grønland, vurderer to eksperter. Det lyder ganske problematisk: en allieret, der fører aktiv hybridkrig mod en anden allieret. Det er ikke desto mindre den virkelighed, Danmark og Grønland befinder sig i, når USA tager en bred vifte af metoder i brug for at lægge pres på Rigsfællesskabet.|trans-quote=It clearly amounts to hybrid warfare when the Americans try to buy their way to an election result in Greenland, two experts assess. It sounds quite problematic: an ally conducting active hybrid warfare against another ally. Nevertheless, this is the reality that Denmark and Greenland find themselves in when the United States employs a broad range of methods to exert pressure on the Realm. }}</ref> Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that "the Kingdom of Denmark—and thus Greenland—is a member of NATO and is therefore covered by the Alliance's collective security guarantee ... I ... strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally."<ref name=mefr>{{cite news |title=Denmark's prime minister says Trump is serious about Greenland's annexation |url=https://www.europeaninterest.eu/denmarks-prime-minister-says-trump-is-serious-about-greenlands-annexation/ |access-date=January 6, 2026 |work=European Interest}}</ref> The official Danish threat assessment published by the Danish Defence Intelligence Service in 2025 for the first time mentioned the United States as a threat to national security, alongside Russia and China.<ref name=politico>{{cite news |title=Danish intelligence classifies Trump's America as a security risk |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/danish-intelligence-classifies-donald-trump-america-as-security-risk/ |access-date=January 6, 2026 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A sentence about the USA in a new threat assessment |url=https://politiken.dk/edition/news/art10654773/A-sentence-about-the-USA-in-a-new-threat-assessment-raises-eyebrows |access-date=January 6, 2026 |work=Politiken}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Danish Intelligence Warns U.S. "Hemispheric Approach" Raises Arctic Security Uncertainty |url=https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/danish-intelligence-warns-us-hemispheric-approach-raises-arctic-security-uncertainty |access-date=January 6, 2026 |work=High North News}}</ref> In 2026 Greenland and Denmark saw massive anti-Trump protests, the Hands off Greenland protests, where protesters chanted "Greenland is not for sale".<ref>{{cite news |title=Massive protests in Denmark to tell US to keep 'Hands off Greenland' |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/17/greenland-denmark-protests-trump/88231100007/ |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Hands off Greenland' protests sweep Denmark as Trump escalates takeover threats |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/hands-off-greenland-protests-sweep-denmark-donald-trump-escalates-takeover-threat/ |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands take part in 'Hands off Greenland' protests in Denmark |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/17/thousands-take-part-in-hands-off-greenland-protests-in-denmark |access-date=January 17, 2026 |work=Euronews}}</ref>
==== Panama Canal ==== In 2024, Trump demanded that Panama return control of the Panama Canal to the United States because "excessive rates" were being charged for American passage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steedman |first=Elissa |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Donald Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-23/donald-trump-threatens-to-retake-panama-canal/104757424 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |publisher=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> The United States previously was in control of the Panama Canal Zone from 1903 until 1999, and has invaded Panama before in 1989.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Julie |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Trump's Talk of the Panama Canal Taps Into Old Myths About U.S. Power |url=https://time.com/7205889/panama-us-myths-trump/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129183247/https://time.com/7205889/panama-us-myths-trump/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zamorano |first=Juan |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Panama, familiar with US intervention, bristles at Trump's comments on canal |url=https://apnews.com/article/panama-canal-trump-us-invasion-19d1a3723ac0c407f49e8b35aebc14f1 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Trump told Congress in March 2025 that his administration "will be reclaiming the Panama Canal".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kube |first1=Courtney |last2=Lubold |first2=Gordon |last3=Lee |first3=Carol |title=Trump White House has asked U.S. military to develop options for the Panama Canal, officials say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-white-house-asked-us-military-develop-options-panama-canal-offic-rcna195994 |access-date=March 16, 2025 |work=NBC News |date=March 14, 2025}}</ref> Also that month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed the Trump administration to "immediately" present "credible military options to ensure fair and unfettered US military and commercial access to the Panama Canal".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Zachary |last2=Liebermann |first2=Oren |title=Pentagon tasked with providing 'military options' to ensure US access to Panama Canal, memo says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/13/politics/pentagon-panama-canal-options/index.html |access-date=March 16, 2025 |work=CNN |date=March 14, 2025}}</ref>
===United Nations=== On July 22, 2025, the United States informed of its decision to withdraw from UNESCO, effective December 31, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The United States Withdraws from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |url=https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/07/the-united-states-withdraws-from-the-united-nations-educational-scientific-and-cultural-organization-unesco/ |access-date=July 22, 2025 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="us withdrawal">{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2025 |title=US says it's leaving UNESCO again, only 2 years after rejoining |url=https://apnews.com/article/unesco-trump-withdraw-paris-united-nations-israel-129a4ffbce562e1aa497231e0bdd55a5 |access-date=July 22, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Withdrawal of the United States of America from UNESCO: statement by Audrey Azoulay, Director-General| url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/withdrawal-united-states-america-unesco-statement-audrey-azoulay-director-general?hub=701| access-date=July 24, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In a presidential memorandum issued on January 7, 2026, Donald Trump directed to start the process of withdrawal of the US from the 66 organizations, agencies and commissions of the United Nations, including UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), calling them "contrary to the interests of the United States".<ref name=WH>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-international-organizations-conventions-and-treaties-that-are-contrary-to-the-interests-of-the-united-states/|title=Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States|date=January 7, 2026|accessdate=January 10, 2026|publisher=President of the United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Outrage as Trump withdraws from key UN climate treaty along with dozens of international organisations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/07/trump-international-groups-un|work=The Guardian |date=January 8, 2026}}</ref>
==== World Health Organization ==== On January 22, 2026, President Donald Trump completed the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, a year after he signed Executive Order 14155 on January 20, 2025. As announced by the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States officially exited the organization, ending its 78-year membership and halting all U.S. funding and participation in the WHO's governance and activities.<ref name="HHS">{{cite web |title=United States completes WHO withdrawal |url=https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/united-states-completes-who-withdrawal.html |work=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |date=January 22, 2026 |access-date=January 24, 2026}}</ref> Although the organization hoped for a reconsideration the day after Trump's executive order,<ref>{{cite web |title=WHO comments on United States' announcement of intent to withdraw |url=https://www.who.int/news/item/21-01-2025-who-comments-on-united-states--announcement-of-intent-to-withdraw |work=World Health Organization |date=January 21, 2025 |access-date=January 24, 2026}}</ref> the administration continued with the decision.
The administration justified the withdrawal by citing concerns about the WHO's handling of global health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, its resistance to reforms, and its failure to operate independently from inappropriate political influence of other WHO member states.<ref name="HHS" /> In a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., they said that the WHO "tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it" and it "abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States", including the failure to "hand over the American flag that hung in front of it".<ref>{{cite web |title=Termination of U.S. Membership in the World Health Organization (WHO): Joint Statement by Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy |url=https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/01/termination-of-u-s-membership-in-the-world-health-organization-who-joint-statement-by-secretary-of-state-rubio-and-secretary-of-health-and-human-services-kennedy |work=U.S. Department of State |date=January 22, 2026 |access-date=January 24, 2026}}</ref>
The United States still owes outstanding dues to the WHO from 2024 to 2025, raising questions about the legality and financial implications of the exit.<ref>{{cite news |title=US officially exits World Health Organization, accusing agency of mismanagement |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/us-officially-exits-world-health-organization-accusing-agency/story?id=129455089 |work=ABC News |date=January 23, 2026 |access-date=January 24, 2026}}</ref> Being one of the biggest donors to the WHO, the country's unpaid fees of estimated $260 million has already caused massive job losses at the organization. However, as a response, Washington said they saw no reason to comply.<ref>{{cite news |title=US officially leaves World Health Organization |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9zznx8qdno |date=January 23, 2026 |access-date=January 24, 2026}}</ref>
Ronald G. Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), criticized the withdrawal, calling it "a shortsighted and misguided abandonment of our global health commitments" and "scientifically reckless". He emphasized that "It fails to acknowledge the fundamental natural history of infectious diseases" and that "Global cooperation and communication are critical to keep our own citizens protected because germs do not respect borders," adding that global cooperation is "not a luxury" but a "biological necessity".<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement on U.S. withdrawal from WHO |url=https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2026/statement-on-u.s.-withdrawal-from-who |work=Infectious Diseases Society of America |date=January 22, 2026 |access-date=January 24, 2026}}</ref>
==Ethics== {{see also|First presidency of Donald Trump#Ethics}} Trump's second presidency was described by political commentators as having fewer prohibitions on business activity and guardrails against potential conflicts of interest than his first, and for having more opportunities to directly influence Trump.<ref name="Yourish 2025">{{Cite news |last1=Yourish |first1=Karen |last2=Lipton |first2=Eric |last3=Gamio |first3=Lazaro |date=January 17, 2025 |title=An Illustrated Guide to Trump's Conflict of Interest Risks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/17/us/politics/trump-conflicts-of-interest.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 18, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Schouten 2025">{{Cite news |last=Schouten |first=Fredreka |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Gold-plated watches and electoral map sneakers: Trump's newest merchandise raises conflict of interest questions |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/08/politics/trump-conflicts-of-interest-second-term/index.html |access-date=January 18, 2025 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Trump repealed and rolled back anti-corruption measures and ethical standards for himself and his allies, dropped corruption charges against political figures with ties to him, and fired inspectors generals investigating fraud and abuse. ''The New York Times'' described Trump as making up statistics "out of thin air", and for accusing government agencies and "anyone he disfavors of corruption and even criminality without proof".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Trump and Musk Hunt for Corruption, Very Selectively |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/us/politics/trump-musk-corruption.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 12, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> His second presidency was described as breaking with decades of ethical norms,<ref name="Lipton 02172025">{{Cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |date=February 17, 2025 |title=With Congress Pliant, an Emboldened Trump Pushes His Business Interests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/us/politics/trump-ethics-conflicts-business-adams.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and raising substantial corruption concerns.<ref name="Savage 05122025">{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Charlie |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Trump's Plan to Take Jet From Qatar Heightens Corruption Concerns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/trump-qatar-jet-plane.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Stringer |first1=Connor |last2=Lawford |first2=Melissa |date=May 18, 2025 |title='It's open season for corruption': How Trump turned the White House into a cash cow |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/05/18/trump-turned-white-house-cash-machine/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Congressional Republicans largely downplayed or ignored the concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hulse |first=Carl |date=May 13, 2025 |title=As Trump Courts Gifts and Dangles Access, Congress Sits on the Sidelines |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/congress-republican-reaction-trump-qatar-plane.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Lipton 02172025" />
Federal judges found many of the administration's actions to be illegal and unconstitutional,<ref name="Savage 05232025">{{Cite news|last=Savage|first=Charlie|date=May 23, 2025|title=Judges Keep Calling Trump's Actions Illegal, but Undoing Them Is Hard|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/us/politics/trump-administration-courts-judges-law.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 16, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Sneed 01232025">{{cite news |last=Sneed |first=Tierney |date=January 23, 2025 |title=Judge blocks Trump's 'blatantly unconstitutional' executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/23/politics/birthright-citizenship-lawsuit-hearing-seattle/index.html |access-date=January 23, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Lucas 05022025">{{Cite news|last=Lucas|first=Ryan|date=May 2, 2025|title=Federal judge strikes down Trump order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie|work=NPR News|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/nx-s1-5385355/perkins-coie-trump-executive-order-law-firms|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 18, 2025|quote=A federal judge on Friday struck down President Trump's executive order targeting the prominent law firm of Perkins Coie, finding it unconstitutional and declaring it an attack on the foundational principles of the American legal system.}}</ref> and by mid-July, a ''Washington Post'' analysis found he defied judges and the courts in roughly one third of all cases against him, actions which were described by legal experts as unprecedented for any presidential administration.<ref name="Jouvenal 07212025">{{Cite news |last=Jouvenal |first=Justin |date=July 21, 2025 |title=Trump officials accused of defying 1 in 3 judges who ruled against him |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/21/trump-court-orders-defy-noncompliance-marshals-judges/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 1, 2025 |quote=A comprehensive analysis of hundreds of lawsuits against Trump policies shows dozens of examples of defiance, delay and dishonesty, which experts say pose an unprecedented threat to the U.S. legal system. [...] The Post examined 337 lawsuits filed against the administration since Trump returned to the White House and began a rapid-fire effort to reshape government programs and policy. As of mid-July, courts had ruled against the administration in 165 of the lawsuits. The Post found that the administration is accused of defying or frustrating court oversight in 57 of those cases — almost 35 percent. Legal experts said the pattern of conduct is unprecedented for any presidential administration and threatens to undermine the judiciary's role as a check on an executive branch asserting vast powers that test the boundaries of the law and Constitution.}}</ref> His defiance of court orders and a claimed right to disobey the courts raised fears among legal experts of a constitutional crisis.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liptak |first=Adam |author-link=Adam Liptak |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Defiance and Threats in Deportation Case Renew Fear of Constitutional Crisis |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/us/politics/trump-deportations-constitutional-crisis-impeachment.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 20, 2025}}</ref> By August 2025, several grant terminations and spending freezes were found by judges and the Government Accountability Office as being illegal and unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Waldman|first=Annie|date=June 17, 2025|title=Federal Judge Deems Trump Administration's Termination of NIH Grants Illegal |work=ProPublica|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-nih-grant-terminations-illegal|access-date=August 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Touchberry|first=Ramsay|date=August 9, 2025|title=Trump spending freezes spur quiet pushback from Senate Republicans|work=The Washington Examiner|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/3495365/trump-spending-freezes-quiet-pushback-senate-republicans/|access-date=August 16, 2025|quote=The Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog, has repeatedly ruled that canceled or delayed funding for biomedical research, K-12 education, and more is illegal and runs afoul of the Impoundment Control Act, a federal law regulating when presidents can withhold spending.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Stelter|first=Brian|author-link=Brian Stelter|date=March 31, 2026|title=Federal judge rules Trump order ending NPR and PBS funding was unconstitutional|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/31/media/federal-judge-trump-order-npr-pbs-funding|access-date=May 26, 2026}}</ref>
=== Pardons and commutations === {{Further|List of people granted executive clemency in the second Trump presidency}} {{As of|2025|11}} Trump has issued nearly two thousand pardons and commutations<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Wallace-Wells |first1=Benjamin |date=November 16, 2025 |title=The Meaning of Trump's Presidential Pardons |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/24/the-meaning-of-trumps-presidential-pardons |magazine=The New Yorker |quote=Trump granted two hundred and thirty-eight pardons and commutations in his first term; less than a year into his second, he has issued nearly two thousand.}}</ref> including for some prosecuted during his first presidency.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kohler |first1=Jeremy |title=A Tale of Two Terms: How Powerful Figures Were Prosecuted in Trump's First Term, Then Pardoned in His Second |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-pardons-erased-prosecutions-second-term |work=ProPublica |access-date=February 5, 2026 |date=November 15, 2025}}</ref> Trump's pardons and grants of clemency favored political allies and loyalists.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lotz |first=Avery |date=May 28, 2025 |title=Trump pardons criminals with MAGA credentials or big money |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/trump-pardons-chrisley-walczak-jenkins |access-date=May 31, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="Thrush May292025">{{Cite news |last=Thrush |first=Glenn |date=May 29, 2025 |title=Trump's Flurry of Pardons Signals a Wholesale Effort to Redefine Crime |work= The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/us/politics/trumps-pardons-redefine-crime.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> Lobbyists have told the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets that fees of $1M are standard. Some would-be pardon recipients have offered success fees of $6M for a successful application.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ballhaus |first1=Rebecca |title=Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-presidential-pardon-process-dda97c15 |access-date=January 10, 2026 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |date=December 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dixon |first1=Matt |last2=Reilly |first2=Ryan J. |last3=Nicholas |first3=Peter |last4=Doyle |first4=Katherine |date=May 31, 2025 |title=Trump pardons drive a big, burgeoning business for lobbyists |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-pardons-drive-big-burgeoning-business-lobbyists-rcna209801 |access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Benny-Morrison |first=Ava |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Lawyers Are Quoting $1 Million in Fees to Get Pardons to Trump |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-05-06/trump-s-pardons-have-defendants-spending-1-million-to-get-cases-to-white-house |access-date=August 19, 2025 |work=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
Trump frequently bypassed the Office of the Pardon Attorney, and on March 7, 2025, fired its leader, Department of Justice career attorney Liz Oyer, and installed political loyalist Ed Martin in the role.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump Justice Department fires more career officials |first1=Andrew |last1=Goudsward |first2=Sarah N. |last2=Lynch |first3=Brad |last3=Heath |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-justice-dept-fires-head-pardon-office-2025-03-07/ |access-date=December 9, 2025 |work=Reuters|date=March 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Eric |date=May 29, 2025 |title=Trump's latest pardons benefit an array of political allies and public figures |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/29/trump-pardon-justice-department/e29226e6-3cd6-11f0-912d-d5f4792db3e4_story.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> Ed Martin described the rationale for granting pardons as "No MAGA left behind".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=May 28, 2025 |title='No MAGA left behind': Trump's pardons get even more political |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/28/politics/analysis-trump-pardons-politics |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> In April 2025, Oyer testified to the Senate and accused the Justice Department of "ongoing corruption" and that "the leadership of the Department of Justice appears to value political loyalty above the fair and responsible administration of justice".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Eric |last2=Richer |first2=Alana Durkin |date=April 7, 2025 |title=Fired Justice Department pardon attorney accuses the agency of 'ongoing corruption,' abuse of power |work=The Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-mel-gibson-congress-667a79b368b215bb0cd7b0333f372fc7 |access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> In 2025, Trump pardoned 42 people charged with white-collar crimes. As of late January 2026, he had pardoned an additional 10 white collar criminals.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Steer |first1=George |last2=Wiggins |first2=Kaye |date=January 27, 2026 |title=Donald Trump begins 2026 with a blitz of white-collar pardons |url=https://www.ft.com/content/55da6c2f-8cc2-4274-acb1-50170c2da0c9 |access-date=January 28, 2026 |website=Financial Times}}</ref>
===Gifts=== [[File:P20260305DT-1272 President Donald J. Trump hosts MLS Champions Inter Miami CF at the White House.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Trump receiving a $6,000 Tudor Black Bay Chrono "Pink" chronograph and other gifts during a visit of Inter Miami at the White House.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bernal|first=Rodrigo|date=March 7, 2026|title=The Luxury Gifts Lionel Messi and Inter Miami Gave Donald Trump That Stole the Spotlight at the White House|work=beIN Sports|url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/mls/articles/the-luxury-gifts-lionel-messi-and-inter-miami-gave-donald-trump-that-stole-the-spotlight-at-the-white-house-2026-03-07|access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref>]] During his time in office, Trump received an unusually large number of expensive gifts that some scholars viewed as a violation of the enoulments clause of the Constitution.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Scott|first1=Brianna|last2=Jarenwattananon|first2=Patrick|last3=Detrow|first3=Scott|date=November 14, 2025|title=Do foreign gifts to Trump that align with policy changes raise ethical concerns?|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/11/14/nx-s1-5607149/do-foreign-gifts-to-trump-that-align-with-policy-changes-raise-ethical-concerns|access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Charter|first=David|date=December 31, 2025|title=A crown, an ingot and a jet: the gifts Trump has received this year|work=The Sunday Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/what-gifts-has-trump-received-gold-cjspr09r5|access-date=March 21, 2025}}</ref> The donation of a 1-kilogram gold bar worth $130,000 and a Rolex desktop clock by Swiss business leaders received scrutiny owing to a reduction of Swiss tariffs from 39% to 15% ten days later.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bragg|first=Julianna|date=November 15, 2026|title=Beyond the gold bar, Rolex clock: The gifts Trump has gotten while in office|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2025/11/15/trump-gifts-gold-bar-rolex|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 21, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=November 27, 2025|title=Swiss lawmakers seek probe into whether gifts to Trump by business leaders breached law|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/swiss-lawmakers-seek-probe-into-whether-gifts-trump-may-have-breached-law-2025-11-27/|access-date=March 21, 2026}}</ref> The gift of a $400 million jet from Qatar to be used for post-presidential travel raised substantial bipartisan ethical concerns and allegations of bribery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hulse |first=Carl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/schumer-trump-justice-department-qatar-plane.html |title=Schumer to Slow Trump Justice Dept. Nominees Over Qatari Jet |date=May 13, 2025 |author-link=Carl Hulse |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stelter |first=Brian |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/12/media/maga-media-shapiro-loomer-levin-trump-qatar-plane-gift |title='It's a bribe': MAGA media stars bash Trump's reported Qatar plane gift |date=May 12, 2025 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pindell |first=James |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/13/nation/trump-gifts-qatar-presidency-sec/ |title=Trump is trying to find and exploit the leverage points for everyone — except those giving him gifts |date=May 13, 2025 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=May 21, 2025}}</ref>
==="Pay-for-access" and MAGA Inc.=== Trump maintained what ''The New York Times'' described as a "pay-for-access" operation, with millions being raised for his pro-Trump PAC, {{No self link|Make America Great Again Inc.}}, which had collected $177{{nbsp}}million in the first half of 2025, twice as much as was raised by the Republican National Committee and unusually large for term-limited presidents. Millions were raised from individuals, lobbyists, corporations, and donors to it and other Trump-friendly outlets. Those that gave were granted access to the president and shortly afterward several received presidential pardons, favorable regulatory and policy actions, or appointments for government positions.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|last2=Yaffe-Bellany|first2=David|date=August 2, 2025|title=Donor List Suggests Scale of Trump's Pay-for-Access Operation|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/02/us/politics/donor-list-suggests-scale-of-trumps-pay-for-access-operation.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 2, 2025}}</ref>
Examples of criticism included but were not limited to the Trump administration lifting a ban on Central Romana Corporation shipping sugar to the United States following allegations of forced labor at the company. According to OpenSecrets, Fanjul Corp, which owns Central Romana, had given $1{{nbsp}}million to MAGA Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fanjul Corp Profile: Summary |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/fanjul-corp/summary?id=D000066714 |website=OpenSecrets |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Swanson |first1=Ana |last2=Wagner |first2=James |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Trump Administration Quietly Lifted Ban on Dominican Sugar Company Over Forced Labor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/business/economy/trump-sugar-forced-labor-ban-lifted.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Another action criticized was the pardon of Paul Walczak following his mother's attendance at a $1{{nbsp}}million per person fund raising "candlelight dinner" sponsored by MAGA{{nbsp}}Inc. Walczak was alleged by prosecutors to have withheld over $10{{nbsp}}million from paychecks of staff at a nursing home for trust fund taxes instead using the money to buy a $2{{nbsp}}million yacht among other expenses. Walczak was supposed to pay $4.3{{nbsp}}million in restitution prior to his pardon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vogel |first1=Kenneth P. |author1-link=Kenneth P. Vogel |date=May 27, 2025 |title=Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mother Attended $1 Million Dinner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/politics/trump-pardon-paul-walczak-tax-crimes.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Office of the Pardon Attorney {{!}} Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present) |url=https://www.justice.gov/pardon/clemency-grants-president-donald-j-trump-2025-present |website=justice.gov |date=April 24, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The Trump administration was also criticized for delaying a rule change which would restrict coverage of skin substitutes under Medicare after Extremity Care "a leading seller of skin substitutes" gave $5{{nbsp}}million to MAGA Inc.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kenneth P. |first1=Vogel |author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel |last2=Sarah |first2=Kliff |author-link2=Sarah Kliff |last3=Thomas |first3=Katie |date=August 7, 2025 |title=Trump Delayed a Medicare Change After Health Company Donations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/us/politics/trump-medicare-bandages-donors.html |work=The New York Times |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 4, 2025 |title=Trump's MAGA Inc. SuperPAC Donor List is Littered with Corporate and Billionaire Influence Buyers |url=https://www.citizen.org/news/trumps-maga-inc-superpac-donor-list-is-littered-with-corporate-and-billionaire-influence-buyers/ |website=Public Citizen |language=en}}</ref>
=== Conflicts of interest === [[File:Donald Trump state visit to Saudi Arabia, 2025-05-13 P20250513DT-0498.jpg|thumb|Trump with Elon Musk and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman during Trump's visit to the Middle East in May 2025]] {{Tweet | name = Donald J. Trump | username = realDonaldTrump | date = August 26, 2025 | text = I am pleased to report that I have raised, since the Great Presidential Election of 2024, in various forms and political entities, in excess of 1.5 Billion Dollars. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT | reference = <ref>{{cite web |last1=@realDonaldTrump |author1-link=@realDonaldTrump |title=Truth Details |url=https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115098837339559726 |website=Truth Social |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216103416/https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115098837339559726 |archive-date=February 16, 2026 |date=August 26, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Scherer |first1=Michael |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |author1-link=Michael Scherer (journalist) |author2-link=Ashley Parker |title=Trump's Eye-Popping Postelection Windfall |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2025/11/trump-fundraising-ballroom/684963/ |work=The Atlantic |date=February 13, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213143711/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2025/11/trump-fundraising-ballroom/684963/ |archive-date=February 13, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> | image = Truth Social app icon.png | lang = en }} Trump's second presidency included multiple potential conflicts of interest that did not exist during his first term in office, including a publicly traded company in Truth Social, a cryptocurrency venture, new overseas real estate deals involving state-affiliated entities, and several branding and licensing deals selling Trump-branded merchandise.<ref name="Yourish 2025" /> His 2024 campaign was noted for an "unprecedented" mixing of personal business and political fundraising.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump's deals to sell Bibles, sneakers and perfume are unprecedented for a presidential candidate, experts say|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/29/trump-sellig-bibles-sneakers-perfume-on-campaign-trail-unprecedented-experts-say.html|publisher=CNBC|date=March 29, 2024|last1=Breuninger|first1=Kevin|access-date=March 30, 2024}}</ref> Trump promoted $59.99 bibles, $399 sneakers, $99 "Victory47" cologne, and $99 Trump-branded NFT digital trading cards for his personal, non-campaign accounts.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sneakers and Bibles: What's behind Trump's growing merch trove|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/03/29/trump-sneakers-bibles-campaign|work=Axios|date=March 29, 2024|last1=Habeshian|first1=Sareen|access-date=March 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Trump endorses line of Bibles – after selling shoes, NFTs and more|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-endorses-line-bibles-after-selling-shoes-nfts/story?id=108543985|publisher=ABC News|date=March 28, 2024|last1=Kim|first1=Soo Rin|last2=Ibssa|first2=Lalee|access-date=March 30, 2024|archive-date=March 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329174452/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-endorses-line-bibles-after-selling-shoes-nfts/story?id=108543985|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump's campaign was noted for spending large sums of campaign money at Trump-owned businesses, in particular his Mar-a-Lago resort and the Trump National Doral Miami.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump is funneling campaign money into cash-strapped businesses. Experts say it looks bad.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/18/trump-campaign-funnels-money-to-his-businesses/73344744007/|work=USA Today|date=April 18, 2024|last1=Anderson|first1=Zac|last2=Mansfield|first2=Erin|access-date=April 21, 2024|archive-date=April 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420053434/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/18/trump-campaign-funnels-money-to-his-businesses/73344744007/|url-status=live}}</ref>
After winning the election, Trump mirrored his first term's ethics commitments and did not divest from his interests in branding and real estate. He also did not place his assets in a trust managed by an independent trustee.<ref name="Schouten 1232025">{{Cite news |last=Schouten |first=Fredreka |date=January 23, 2025 |title='The gloves are off': Trump appears poised to cash in from his presidency in new ways |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/23/politics/ethics-business-trump-presidency/index.html |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123151021/https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/23/politics/ethics-business-trump-presidency/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump did not adopt his own formal ethics guidelines.<ref name="Lipton 212025">{{Cite news |last=Lipton |first=Eric |date=February 1, 2025 |title=Ethics Pledges by Trump Cabinet Draw Questions and Skepticism |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/us/politics/ethics-trump-zinke-bondi-lutnick-rfk.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 1, 2025}}</ref> Trump transferred his shares of Truth Social into a trust in which he is the sole beneficiary, of which his oldest son is the trustee. Ethics experts described it as falling "well short of the blind trusts and divestitures from private business interests that other presidents have used to avoid ethical conflicts with their job". Trump's son, Eric Trump, said the Trump Organization would continue to pursue business deals overseas, dropping a self-imposed prohibition during Trump's first presidency.<ref name="Schouten 2025" /> Trump profited from holding events at his hotels and golf courses.<ref name="Schouten 1232025" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Schleifer |first2=Theodore |last3=Kanno-Youngs |first3=Zolan |date=April 5, 2025 |title=Trump Family's Cash Registers Ring as Financial Meltdown Plays Out |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/us/politics/trump-family-saudi-golf.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 19, 2025}}</ref> Trump's conflicts of interest were described as having national-security risks, with particular emphasis placed on relationships with the Saudi and Emirati governments through the Trump Organization and his son-in-law Jared Kushner's investment fund backed by the Saudis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sicard |first=Sarah |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Tracking Trump's national-security conflicts of interest |work=Defense One |url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/01/tracking-trumps-national-security-conflicts-interest/402329/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122095226/https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/01/tracking-trumps-national-security-conflicts-interest/402329/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump noted that conflict of interest laws did not apply to him and that he was protected by broad immunity for his official actions as president.<ref name="Lipton 04292025">{{Cite news|last1=Lipton|first1=Eric|last2=Yaffe-Ballany|first2=David|last3=Protess|first3=Ben|date=April 29, 2025|title=Secret Deals, Foreign Investments, Presidential Policy Changes: The Rise of Trump's Crypto Firm|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/us/politics/trump-crypto-world-liberty-financial.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 1, 2025}}</ref>
thumb|On March 11, 2025, Trump and Elon Musk promoted Tesla vehicles on the White House south lawn.<ref name="Ingram 03112025" /> As part of the Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions, Trump repealed Ethic Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel which prohibited executive branch employees accepting major gifts from lobbyists and two year bans on lobbyists seeking executive jobs and vice versa. Critics described the repeal as the opposite of his pledge to "drain the swamp".<ref name="Weissert 1222025">{{Cite news |last=Weissert |first=Will |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Trump has canceled Biden's ethics rules. Critics call it the opposite of 'drain the swamp' |publisher=The Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-revokes-ethics-rules-drain-swamp-b8e3ba0f98c9c60af11a8e70cbc902bd |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123104507/https://apnews.com/article/trump-revokes-ethics-rules-drain-swamp-b8e3ba0f98c9c60af11a8e70cbc902bd |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump also signed Executive Order 14209 to stop the Justice Department prosecuting Americans accused of bribing foreign government officials under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |last2=Bose |first2=Nandita |date=February 11, 2025 |title=Trump loosens enforcement of US law banning bribery of foreign officials |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-loosen-enforcement-us-law-banning-bribery-foreign-officials-2025-02-10/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 12, 2025 }}</ref> Trump's wife, Melania, entered into a deal with Amazon to create Melania (film) a documentary about herself, which raised ethics concerns as it was made while she was still in office.<ref name="Schouten 1232025" /> In March 2025, Trump praised Tesla's cars on the White House lawn with notes about the cars' features alongside Elon Musk in "something of a sales pitch" which was described in The Nation as "brazenly corrupt".<ref name="Ingram 03112025">{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=David |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Trump turns the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-musk/trump-musk-tesla-white-house-showroom-buys-car-rcna195905 |access-date= |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Abramsky |first=Sasha |date=March 14, 2025 |title=The Corruption Being Obscured by Trump's Tesla Spectacle |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/the-corruption-being-obscured-by-trumps-tesla-spectacle/ |work=The Nation |issn=0027-8378}}</ref> Countries facing tariffs were pushed by the State Department to approve Musk's Starlink satellite service.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Jeff|last2=Natanson|first2=Hannah|date=May 7, 2025|title=U.S. pushes nations facing tariffs to approve Musk's Starlink, cables show|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/elon-musk-starlink-trump-tariffs/|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 18, 2025|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
[[File:P20250806DT-0180_President_Donald_Trump_delivers_investment_remarks_alongside_Apple_CEO_Tim_Cook.jpg|alt=Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook and Donald Trump in the oval office with a gold gift to the president in the foreground at the announcement of a $100 billion "investment" in the US|thumb|Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook and Donald Trump in the oval office with a gold gift to the president in the foreground at the announcement of a $100 billion "investment" in the US]] On April 9, 2025, Trump's encouragement of investors to buy stocks hours before pausing tariffs that sent markets soaring was scrutinized by Democrats and government ethics experts as possible market manipulation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kanno-Youngs|first=Zolan|date=April 9, 2025|title=Trump's Encouragement of Stock Investors Draws Scrutiny|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/us/politics/trump-stock-market.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=April 19, 2025}}</ref> Representative Adam Schiff called on Congress to investigate whether in pausing tariffs, Trump had engaged in insider trading or market manipulation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Popli |first=Nik |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Schiff Wants Tariff Pause Investigation Over Insider Trading |url=https://time.com/7276234/trump-tariff-insider-trading-schiff/ |access-date= |website=Time.com |language=en |archive-date=April 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417010216/https://time.com/7276234/trump-tariff-insider-trading-schiff/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> His use of tariff exemptions also raised concerns of corruption, with claims of insider trading and special exemptions being given to friends and to punish rivals.<ref>Multiple sources * {{cite news |last1=Sledge |first1=Matt |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Trump's Tariffs Will Create a Hunger Games Landscape Where the Little Guy Is Guaranteed to Lose |url=https://theintercept.com/2025/01/02/trump-tariffs-small-business/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103071912/https://theintercept.com/2025/01/02/trump-tariffs-small-business/ |archive-date= January 3, 2025|work=The Intercept}} * {{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Tim |author1-link=Tim Wu |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Opinion {{!}} Trump's Economy Looks Like Command Capitalism |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/29/opinion/trump-economy-tiktok.html |work=The New York Times}} * {{cite news |last1=Faturechi |first1=Robert |date=April 22, 2025 |title=Politically Connected Firms Benefit From Trump Tariff Exemptions Amid Secrecy, Confusion |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-tariffs-exemptions-pet-lobbyists-asbestos-confusion-secrecy |work=ProPublica |language=en}} * {{Cite web |last1=Fotak |first1=Veljko |last2=Lee |first2=Hye Seung (Grace) |last3=Megginson |first3=William L. |last4=Salas |first4=Jesus M. |date=July 30, 2024 |title=The Political Economy of Tariff Exemption Grants – JFQA |url=https://jfqa.org/2024/07/30/the-political-economy-of-tariff-exemption-grants/ |access-date= |website=Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis}} * {{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Callum |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Firms that donated to Republican party avoided tariffs in Trump first term – study |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/06/trump-tariffs-republican-donations |access-date= |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} * {{Cite news |last=Swanson |first=Ana |date=November 23, 2024 |title=Trump's Trade Agenda Could Benefit Friends and Punish Rivals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/us/politics/trump-tariff-exemptions.html |work=The New York Times}} * {{cite news |last1=Romm |first1=Tony |date=April 22, 2025 |title=Businesses Plead for Tariff Breaks After Trump Spares iPhones |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/politics/trump-tariffs-relief-apple.html |work=The New York Times}} * {{cite news |last1=Noor |first1=Dharna |date=April 4, 2025 |title='Oligarchy': Trump exempts big oil donors from tariffs package |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/04/trump-exempts-big-oil-donors-from-tariffs |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Trump has suggested those who "invest" within the United States would be able to reduce their tariffs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mickle |first1=Tripp |last2=Swanson |first2=Ana |date=August 6, 2025 |title=Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Chips, With a Big Caveat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/technology/trump-chip-tariffs-semiconductors.html |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rappeport |first1=Alan |date=August 4, 2025 |title=Trump's Demand to Trading Partners: Pledge Money or Get Higher Tariffs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/us/politics/trump-tariffs-foreign-investment.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Louis |last2=Karmia |first2=Nick |title=Trump says the US secured at least $18 trillion worth of investments this year. That's wrong |url=https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2025/united-states-18-trillion-dollars-investments/ |website=Poynter Institute |date=December 12, 2025}}</ref>
thumb|alt=Trump participates in the grand opening ceremony of Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen in July 2025|Trump participates in the grand opening ceremony of Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen in July 2025 In May 2025, Trump's intention to accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar to serve first as Air Force One and later be transferred to his presidential library elicited rare, bipartisan criticism, with his supporters deriding it as a "bribe", "grift" and "corruption".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wendling |first=Mike |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Trump's critics and supporters unite against Qatar plane deal |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4zk22n9wo |access-date=May 18, 2025 }}</ref> ''The Guardian'' criticized it as an example of a ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pilkington |first=Ed |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Trump 2.0 takes quid pro quo fears to new heights with $400m flying grift |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/13/trump-quid-pro-quo-qatar-plane |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref> ''The Boston Globe'' described the deal as an example of an increasingly transactional presidency, describing it as more direct than during his first term and showing that he was "willing to bend for anyone who gives him what he craves: praise, prestige, and a cut of the profits".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pindell |first=James |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Trump is trying to find and exploit the leverage points for everyone — except those giving him gifts |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/13/nation/trump-gifts-qatar-presidency-sec/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 18, 2025 }}</ref>
By August 12, the United States Office of Government Ethics reported that Trump had made 690 stock transactions since taking office, including purchasing at least $100 million in bonds from local authorities, gas districts, and major American corporations. CNBC reported that federal law exempted the president and vice president from some conflict of interest regulations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Chloe|date=August 20, 2025|title=Trump has snapped up more than $100 million in bonds since taking office|work=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/20/trump-splurged-on-more-than-100-million-in-bonds-since-taking-office.html|access-date=August 23, 2025}}</ref>
An August 2025 New Yorker Piece entitled "The Number" by David D. Kirkpatrick estimated that Trump had gained over $3 billion from the presidency. The number was calculated from increased business at Mar-a-Lago, legal fees, TrumpStore.com ("the official retail website of The Trump Organization"<ref>{{cite web |title=about-us |url=https://www.trumpstore.com/about-us |website=trumpstore.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409144215/https://www.trumpstore.com/about-us/ |archive-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref>), deals with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, N7478D, Trump International, Vietnam, Trump's conflict with the media, the Trump Media & Technology Group, 1789 Capital and Trumps activities involving Cryptocurrency.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kirkpatrick |first1=David D. |author1-link=David D. Kirkpatrick |title=How Much Is Trump Profiting Off the Presidency? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/18/the-number |magazine=The New Yorker |date=August 11, 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811113546/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/18/the-number |archive-date= August 11, 2025}}</ref>
Trump's cabinet were noted to have a large number of potential conflicts of interest, with the Campaign Legal Center finding over 467 that would require recusal, with the most, 106, belonging to Howard Lutnick.<ref name="Lipton 212025" /> Trump Media gifted 25,946 shares of stock of DJT to each of his picks for FBI director, Kash Patel, and education secretary nominee, Linda McMahon, totaling $779,400 each as of January 31, 2025. Both members served as directors for his company, and they later said they would not accept the award. He also gifted thousands of shares to his son.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=January 31, 2025 |title=Trump Media gifts DJT shares to FBI pick Kash Patel, Linda McMahon and president's son |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/31/trump-media-djt-stock-shares-kash-patel.html |access-date=February 1, 2025}}</ref>
At the 2025 Gaza peace summit, a live microphone recorded Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto asking Trump if he could meet his son, Eric Trump. Trump replied he would have Eric call him, leading to speculation over the involvement of The Trump Organization. At the time, Eric Trump served as an executive vice president of The Trump Organization, which had business interests in Indonesia, including an operating golf club near Jakarta and a planned resort in Bali. The media described it as a 'hot mic moment'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2025 |title=Trump's private conversation with Indonesian president about son Eric caught on mic |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-indonesian-president-conversation-eric-b2844738.html |access-date=October 14, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yerushalmy |first=Jonathan |date=October 14, 2025 |title=Indonesia's president heard on hot mic asking Trump if he can meet son Eric |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/14/indonesia-president-prabowo-subianto-hot-mic-asking-meet-eric-trump-egypt-gaza-peace-summit |access-date=October 14, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Katharine |last2=Pitas |first2=Costas |last3=Sulaiman |first3=Stefanno |title=Indonesian president asks Trump for meeting with son Eric in 'hot mic' moment |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesian-president-asks-trump-meeting-with-son-eric-hot-mic-moment-2025-10-13/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> Prabowo had told Trump that he had also informed Hary, reportedly referring to Hary Tanoesoedibjo, an Indonesian developer with ties to the Trump Organization. The incident prompted criticism. Tony Carrk, executive director of the watchdog group Accountable.US, stated that the exchange showed "there is no line between Trump presidential and personal business."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Trump overheard on 'hot mic' apparently talking business with Indonesian leader |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-overheard-hot-mic-apparently-talking-business-indonesian/story?id=126525454 |access-date=October 15, 2025 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>
In October 2025, Trump demanded the Justice Department pay him $230 million to compensate him for his former federal investigations. The move was described as unparalleled in American history and the starkest example of a conflict of interest due to the president's installing his personal lawyers as leaders of the department.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Pager |first2=Tyler |date=October 21, 2025 |title=Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/us/politics/trump-justice-department-compensation.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 22, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
{{Quote box | quote = You've been so generous in your contributions, very substantial money, fully financed. It's fully taken care of now. And in fact, we'll have money left over and we'll use that for something. | author = — Trump at an October 2025 dinner for ballroom donors | source = <ref>{{Cite AV media |title=President Trump Hosts a Ballroom Dinner |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfP_oB6XIGQ&t=1107s |date=October 15, 2025 |language=en |publisher=The White House |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=TRANSCRIPT: President Trump Hosts a Ballroom Dinner at the White House, 10.15.25 |url=https://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/trump-transcripts/transcript-president-trump-hosts-a-ballroom-dinner-at-the-white-house-101525 |website=democrats.senate.gov |language=en |date=October 15, 2025}}</ref> | align = }} Trump's White House State Ballroom will reportedly be heavily funded by private donors.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Landers |first1=Liz |author-link=Liz Landers |last2=Barajas |first2=Joshua |date=October 23, 2025 |title=Who's paying for Trump's $300 million ballroom? |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/whos-paying-for-trumps-300-million-ballroom |work=PBS News |language=en-us}}</ref> Trump hosted an October 2025 dinner for donors to the ballroom.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kanno-Youngs |first1=Zolan |author1-link=Zolan Kanno-Youngs |title=Trump Hosts Dinner for Wealthy Donors to White House Ballroom |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/trump-white-house-dinner-ballroom-donors.html |work=The New York Times |date=October 15, 2025}}</ref>
In October 2025, Trump said that an anonymous private donor has given $130 million to the U.S. government to help pay troops during the government shutdown.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e9yIddFxJA&t=4859s |title=President Trump Makes an Announcement, Oct. 23, 2025 |date=October 23, 2025 |language=en |publisher=The White House |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaffe |first1=Greg |date=October 24, 2025 |title=Trump to Use a $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/us/politics/trump-military-pay-donation.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> While Trump refused to identify the donor, the donor was reported to be Timothy Mellon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pager |first1=Tyler |date=October 25, 2025 |title=Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops Is Reclusive Heir to Mellon Fortune |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/us/politics/timothy-mellon-donation-troops.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
The Justice Department reportedly shut down an investigation into Tom Homan's accepting $50,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Montague |first1=Zach |date=October 8, 2025 |title=Tom Homan Was Said to Have Received $50,000 From Agents. He May Not Have to Return It. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/tom-homan-sting-money.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Perry |last2=Davis |first2=Aaron C. |date=September 21, 2025 |title=Trump officials shut down bribery probe of border czar Tom Homan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/09/21/trump-administration-bribery-probe-homan/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Thrush |first2=Glenn |author-link2=Glenn Thrush |last3=Feuer |first3=Alan |last4=Haberman |first4=Maggie |author-link4=Maggie Haberman |last5=Aleaziz |first5=Hamed |date=September 22, 2025 |title=Trump Justice Dept. Closed Investigation Into Tom Homan for Accepting Bag of Cash |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/us/politics/tom-homan-fbi-trump.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
Of a $200 million ad campaign, the majority ($143 million<ref name="SAM LLC USASpending">{{cite web |title=IDV to SAFE AMERICA MEDIA LLC |url=https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_IDV_70RDA225D00000004_7001 |website=USAspending.gov |access-date=February 5, 2026 }}</ref>) reportedly was awarded to Safe America Media LLC with the national emergency designation used to bypass "the normal competitive bidding"<ref>{{cite web |title=Ranking Members Connolly and Thompson Launch Investigation into DHS's $200 Million Bizarre "Thank You Trump" Ad Campaign Awarded to Cronies |url=https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/ranking-members-connolly-and-thompson-launch-investigation-dhss-200-million |website=House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Democrats) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409161008/https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/ranking-members-connolly-and-thompson-launch-investigation-dhss-200-million |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |language=en |date=March 21, 2025}}</ref> procurement process.<ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025">{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Justin |last2=Kaplan |first2=Joshua |last3=Mierjeski |first3=Alex |title=Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-dhs-ad-campaign-strategy-group |work=ProPublica |date=November 14, 2025}}</ref> The LLC was incorporated eight days before the contract award with its address being the home of a Republican consultant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Belmore |first1=Ryan |title=Firm using Alexandria address wins $220M federal contract for Trump immigration ads |url=https://www.alxnow.com/2025/10/22/firm-using-alexandria-address-wins-220m-federal-contract-for-trump-immigration-ads/ |work=ALXnow |date=October 22, 2025}}</ref><ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025" /> While, "subcontractors hired to do work on the DHS ads are not disclosed in federal contracting databases", a production as part of the contract was run by the Strategy Group. The group's CEO is Ben Yoho<ref>{{cite web |title=TSGco - Specialists |url=https://www.tsgco.com/specialists |website=tsgco.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250813105441/https://www.tsgco.com/specialists |archive-date= August 13, 2025|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ben Yoho |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ben_Yoho |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> who is married to Tricia McLaughlin the assistant secretary for Public Affairs at DHS.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tricia McLaughlin |url=https://www.dhs.gov/person/tricia-mclaughlin |website=DHS |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260226092142/https://www.dhs.gov/person/tricia-mclaughlin |archive-date= February 26, 2026|language=en}}</ref><ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025" /> USAspending.gov lists the Office of Public Affairs at DHS as the "Funding Office" of the award.<ref name="SAM LLC USASpending" /> Noem had previously required "that she personally approve any payment over $100,000".<ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025" /><ref> Multiple sources * {{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Jason |title='Absolutely nuts': DHS secretary to review all contract, grant awards over $100k |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/acquisition-policy/2025/06/absolutely-nuts-dhs-secretary-to-review-all-contract-and-grant-awards-over-100k/ |work=Federal News Network |date=June 18, 2025}} * {{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Gabe |title=Noem demands more control over FEMA and Homeland Security funding, which could slow disaster response |url=https://lite.cnn.com/2025/06/18/politics/kristi-noem-fema-dhs-funding |work=lite.cnn.com |date=June 18, 2025 |language=en}} * {{cite web |last1=Schwellenbach |first1=Nick |title=$99,999 DHS Contracts Balloon Under Kristi Noem's Directive |url=https://www.pogo.org/investigations/99-999-dhs-contracts-balloon-under-kristi-noems-directive |website=Project on Government Oversight |date=November 21, 2025}} </ref> Noem had previously been accused of intervening as South Dakota governor "to ensure the Strategy Group got the deal". The group paid "up to $25,000" to Madison Sheahan described as "one of Noem's closest advisers in South Dakota".<ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025" /> Yoho had also "worked under Lewandowski on the publicity campaign for Noem's 2024 memoir".<ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025" /> Another firm, "People Who Think", owned by Jay Connaughton, has a $77 million award for advertising from DHS.<ref name="ProPublica Nov 14, 2025" /><ref>{{cite web |title=IDV to PEOPLE WHO THINK, L.L.C. |url=https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_IDV_70RDA225D00000003_7001 |website=USASpending.gov}}</ref> In 2023, "Connaughton appeared to have worked" with Lewandowski.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gomez Licon |first1=Adriana |title=How the White House hired Republican political firms to launch an anti-migrant ad campaign |url=https://apnews.com/article/dhs-immigration-award-republican-ad-campaign-e7939619195791493e828dfd20604d65 |work=AP News |date=March 10, 2025 |language=en |access-date=February 5, 2026 }}</ref>
The Trump Library Foundation "expects to raise about $50 million" in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fahrenthold |first1=David A. |author1-link=David A. Fahrenthold |title=Trump Library Foundation Expects to Raise $50 Million This Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/us/politics/trump-library-foundation-expects-to-raise-50-million-this-year.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 18, 2025}}</ref>
MGX Fund Management Limited chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon put $2 billion into World Liberty Financial to invest in binance. Two weeks later, Trump announced "over $200 billion in commercial deals between the United States and the United Arab Emirates—bringing the total of investment agreements in the Gulf region to over $2 trillion"<ref>{{cite web |title=Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Secures $200 Billion in New U.S.-UAE Deals and Accelerates Previously Committed $1.4 Trillion UAE Investment |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-200-billion-in-new-u-s-uae-deals-and-accelerates-previously-committed-1-4-trillion-uae-investment/ |website=whitehouse.gov |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219074603/https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-200-billion-in-new-u-s-uae-deals-and-accelerates-previously-committed-1-4-trillion-uae-investment/ |archive-date= February 19, 2026|date=May 15, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Swan |first1=Jonathan |author1-link=Jonathan Swan |last2=Nereim |first2=Vivian |last3=Naar |first3=Ismaeel |last4=Sanger |first4=David E. |author4-link=David E. Sanger |last5=Broadwater |first5=Luke |author5-link=Luke Broadwater |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Trump Heads to the Middle East Focused on Business Deals, Not Diplomacy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-middle-east-visit-saudi-arabia-qatar-uae.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Discussions reportedly involved David O. Sacks and Steve Witkoff.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Yaffe-Bellany |first2=David |last3=Hope |first3=Bradley |last4=Mickle |first4=Tripp |last5=Mozur |first5=Paul |author1-link=Eric Lipton |title=Anatomy of Two Giant Deals: The U.A.E. Got Chips. The Trump Team Got Crypto Riches. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/us/politics/trump-uae-chips-witkoff-world-liberty.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 15, 2025}}</ref> Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
The TRUMP VANCE INAUGURAL COMMITTEE, INC. raised over $700 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRUMP VANCE INAUGURAL COMMITTEE, INC. - committee overview |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00894162/ |website=fec.gov |date=November 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kamisar |first1=Ben |title=Major corporate interests and megadonors gave $239 million to fund Trump's inauguration |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/21/major-corporate-interests-and-megadonors-gave-239-million-to-fund-trumps-inauguration.html |work=CNBC |date=April 21, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Corporations, Billionaires Flood Inauguration With Cash To Buy Trump's Favor |url=https://www.citizen.org/news/corporations-billionaires-flood-inauguration-with-cash-to-buy-trumps-favor/ |website=Public Citizen |language=en |date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2026 }}</ref>
David O. Sacks "stands out as a special government employee because of his hundreds of investments in tech companies, which can benefit from policies that he influences".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kang |first1=Cecilia |last2=Mickle |first2=Tripp |last3=Mac |first3=Ryan |last4=Yaffe-Bellany |first4=David |last5=Schleifer |first5=Theodore |author3-link=Ryan Mac |title=Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/technology/david-sacks-white-house-profits.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 30, 2025}}</ref>
Trump will host the 2026 G20 summit at Trump National Doral Miami, a resort owned by The Trump Organization.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Erica L. |last2=Cameron |first2=Chris |title=Trump Will Host G20 Summit in 2026 at His Doral Resort |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/politics/trump-g20-summit-miami.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 5, 2025}}</ref>
Following the 2026 United States intervention in Venezuela, Trump posted that Venezuelan oil "money will be controlled by me".<ref>{{cite web |last1=@realDonaldTrump |author1-link=@realDonaldTrump |title=Truth Details |url=https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115850817778602689 |website=Truth Social |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260110053018/https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115850817778602689 |archive-date=January 10, 2026 |language=en |date=January 6, 2026 |quote=I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hulse |first1=Carl |author1-link=Carl Hulse |title=Trump's Claim to Venezuelan Oil Money Draws Scrutiny in Congress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us/politics/congress-trump-venezuela-oil-constitution.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 7, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> The main bank account for the oil sells was located in Qatar.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Isidore |first1=Chris |last2=Cancryn |first2=Adam |title=Why the Trump administration is holding millions of dollars from Venezuelan oil sales in a Qatari bank |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/15/business/qatar-venezuela-oil-sale-account |work=CNN |date=January 15, 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Talcott |first1=Shelby |last2=Mueller |first2=Eleanor |title=US gets first $500 million Venezuelan oil deal, holding some proceeds in Qatar |url=https://www.semafor.com/article/01/14/2026/us-gets-first-500-million-venezuelan-oil-deal-holding-some-proceeds-in-qatar |work=Semafor (website) |date=January 14, 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Benen |first1=Steve |author1-link=Steve Benen |title=Rubio sparks new questions by admitting funds from oil sales are going into Qatari account |url=https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/venezuela-oil-sales-qatar-bank-account-marco-rubio |work=MS NOW |date=January 29, 2026}}</ref>
Pam Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million in Trump Media & Technology Group on April 2, 2025. The same day Trump announced Liberation Day tariffs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Faturechi |first1=Robert |last2=Roberts |first2=Brandon |title=U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/pam-bondi-trump-media-stock-tariffs |work=ProPublica |date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>
Trump bought at least a million dollars in Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery bonds. A proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would need the administration's approval.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nover |first1=Scott |title=Trump bought $1M in Netflix, Warner Bros. bonds after merger announcement |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/01/16/trump-bought-1m-netflix-warner-bros-bonds-after-merger-announcement/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 16, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
The Interior Department Associate Deputy Secretary, as of 2026, Karen Budd-Falen's husband Frank Falen entered into a deal with a subsidiary of Lithium Americas for $3.5 million. A year after the deal, during the first Trump presidency, Budd-Falen met with the subsidiary while Thacker Pass lithium mine was pending federal review.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Friedman |first1=Lisa |title=Democrats Seek Investigation of $3.5 Million Deal by Interior Official's Husband |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/climate/nevada-mine-interior-department-karen-budd-falen-water-investigation.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 20, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
A 2025 New York Times investigation "traced" over half a billion dollars to 346 donors who each gave at least $250,000. Of the 346 donors, "more than half of them have benefited, or are involved in an industry that has benefited, from the actions or statements" of the administration including "pardons, favorable regulatory moves, the dropping of legal cases, access to the president and more". The investigation looked at "a buffet of options (...) presented to donors" including the inaugural committee, Trust for the National Mall, White House State Ballroom, White House Historical Association, America250, Securing American Greatness, Kennedy Center, National Park Foundation (Freedom 250). Unlike MAGA Inc. and the Republican National Committee, donations to the "buffet" do not require disclosure to the Federal Election Commission. At least 32 people in the administration, themselves, their families or their companies, donated at least $250,000 to Trump's "causes after the election". "Since retaking office, the president has lavished his post-election donors with praise and access to himself and his inner circle. (...) The White House has used government platforms to praise major donors to a wider audience."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yourish |first1=Karen |last2=Vogel |first2=Kenneth P. |last3=Smart |first3=Charlie |author2-link=Kenneth P. Vogel |title=Hundreds of Big Post-Election Donors Have Benefited From Trump's Return to Office |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/22/us/politics/trump-donors-fundraising-benefits.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 22, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
After the 2024 US presidential election, Eric Trump signed a deal for a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial (WLF) with Aryam Investment (which is under Sheikh Tahnoon) making Aryam the largest shareholder in WLF. The deal was described in The Wall Street Journal as "unprecedented in American politics: a foreign government official taking a major ownership stake in an incoming U.S. president's company". "Disclosures on World Liberty's website showed the Trump family's equity interest fell to 38% from 75% last year, indicating someone had likely purchased a stake, but the company has never disclosed a buyer." "The deal placed two Aryam executives, who also held top positions at Tahnoon's G42, on World Liberty's five-person board, which at the time included Eric Trump and Zach Witkoff". The two executives also "would play key roles in the U.A.E.'s chip lobbying efforts with the Trump administration". The deal did not include "the rights to future WLFI token sales, leaving the Tahnoon-backed entity out of what was then the company's only source of revenue". "The deal to purchase the stake was hugely profitable to World Liberty's founders. (...) Of the first $250 million installment from the Tahnoon-backed company (...) $187 million was directed to Trump family entities DT Marks DEFI LLC and DT Marks SC LLC (...) Trump personally owned 70% of DT Marks DEFI while other family members owned 30% as of the end of 2024". In March 2025, Trump hosted a White House dinner for Tahnoon which included the vice president and multiple members of the cabinet. Former government officials said typically foreign officials meet with their US counterparts rather than the president. The UAE had also pushed for faster review of investments in the US which in May 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces Intent to Launch Fast Track Pilot Program for Foreign Investors |url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0136 |website=Treasury.gov |language=en |date=May 8, 2025}}</ref> the US Treasury announced it would launch. In May 2025, at the royal palace in Abu Dhabi, Trump told Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "Your relationship and mine can't get better, so I can't say it's going to get better because it's at the highest level it can be." Tahnoon's MGX Fund Management Limited also became an investor in the TikTok USDS Joint Venture following efforts to ban TikTok in the United States.<ref name="WSJ - Secret Stake">{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Sam |last2=Ballhaus |first2=Rebecca |last3=Brown |first3=Eliot |last4=Berwick |first4=Angus |author2-link=Rebecca Ballhaus |title='Spy Sheikh' Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/spy-sheikh-secret-stake-trump-crypto-tahnoon-ea4d97e8 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=February 1, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
Following lobbying from the nursing home industry, including "nearly $4.8 million to MAGA Inc.", the administration revoked a policy change to increase staffing in nursing homes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vogel |first1=Kenneth P. |last2=Jewett |first2=Christina |title=After Donations, Trump Administration Revoked Rule Requiring More Nursing Home Staff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/us/politics/after-donations-trump-administration-revoked-rule-requiring-more-nursing-home-staff.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 27, 2026 }}</ref>
Reuters reported that the "Office of Management and Budget, which Vought leads, is allocating $15 million of what remains of USAID operating expenses" for Russell Vought.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Landay |first1=Jonathan |last2=Gillison |first2=Douglas |title=Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-uses-usaid-funds-budget-director-voughts-security-documents-show-2026-02-13/ |work=Reuters |date=February 13, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2026, financial disclosure forms from the United States Office of Government Ethics revealed that Trump traded at least $220 million of stocks in the first three months of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-14 |title=Trump ethics filing reveals thousands of trades tied to U.S. stocks |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-ethics-filing-reveals-thousands-trades-tied-us-stocks-rcna345197 |access-date=2026-05-18 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Since Lyndon Johnson put his assets in a blind trust, every US president except Trump has done the same, or held assets in index funds and Treasuries. No president has ever traded in the stock market while in office until Trump's second term.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roytburg |first=Eva |title=How Trump's 'unusual' brokerage account traded around his own market-moving decisions—selling hyperscalers and buying energy stocks during the war {{!}} Fortune |url=https://fortune.com/2026/05/15/trump-stock-trades-brokerage-iran-war-ai-big-tech-market-moving/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516040533/https://fortune.com/2026/05/15/trump-stock-trades-brokerage-iran-war-ai-big-tech-market-moving/ |archive-date=2026-05-16 |access-date=2026-05-18 |work=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2026, Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion for a leak of his tax returns.<ref name=":04">{{cite news |last1=Duehren |first1=Andrew |title=Trump's Lawsuit Against I.R.S. Creates 'Enormous Conflict of Interest' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/us/politics/trump-lawsuit-irs-taxes.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 30, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Since no sitting US president had ever before sued an government agency he controls,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanks |first=Adam |title=A president suing himself? Why experts say Trump's $10bn lawsuit might fail |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2026/3/13/a-president-suing-himself-why-experts-say-trumps-10bn-lawsuit-might-fail |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> the lawsuit raised several conflicts of interest and questions about whether the case could even proceed.<ref name=":04" /> Before those issues were resolved in court, Trump dropped the suit, and the Department of Justice announced an out-of-court settlement of $1.776 billion dollars to be distributed to what the administration referred to as victims of lawfare by the Biden administration.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Levine |first1=Sam |last2=Brown |first2=Cate |date=2026-05-19 |title=Trump dismisses $10bn suit against IRS and creates $1.7bn 'anti-weaponization' fund |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/18/trump-dismiss-10-billion-dollar-irs-lawsuit |access-date=2026-05-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The next day, Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney who was then the acting United States Attorney General, announced an addendum to the settlement which would grant immunity from IRS audits of all tax returns Trump, his family and his businesses had filed in the past.<ref name="nytduehren05212026">{{cite news |last1=Duehren|first1=Andrew|title=Audit Immunity for Trump Family Puts I.R.S. in a Bind|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/business/trump-irs-audit-immunity.html|access-date=May 22, 2026|work=New York Times|date=May 21, 2026}}</ref><ref name="nytfeuer5192026">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/us/politics/trump-irs-doj-lawsuit-audit.html|title=I.R.S. to Drop Audits of Trump and Family|date=May 19, 2026|last1=Feuer|first1=Alan|last2=Duehren|first2=Andrew|last3=Thrush|first3=Glenn|author-link3=Glenn Thrush|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 19, 2026}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' reported that this additional settlement ended Trump's potential liability for a $72.9 million tax refund he claimed on all his income as the host of ''The Apprentice'' (2004–2017).
===Cryptocurrency ventures=== {{see also|Cryptocurrency in the second Trump presidency}} {{ multiple image | total_width=450 | image1= 20250120 Market value of Trump meme coin.svg |caption1= After a brief initial rise, the price of the $Trump meme coin declined. About 764,000 people who invested after the all time high (ATH) on 19 January 2025 lost money.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sigalos |first=MacKenzie |date=2025-05-06 |title=58 crypto wallets have made millions on Trump's meme coin. 764,000 have lost money, data shows |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/06/trump-meme-coin-crypto.html |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref name=CBS_20250424>{{cite news |last1=Picchi |first1=Aimee |title=Trump's meme coin, which had fizzled in value, surges after offer of dinner with the president |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-coin-dinner-with-president-meme-coin-price/ |agency=CBS News |date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216171144/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-coin-dinner-with-president-meme-coin-price/ |archive-date=16 February 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | image2= 20250120 Market price of Melania meme coin.svg |caption2= The Melania meme coin experienced extreme volatility in its first days, after which it declined in price.<ref name=CBS_20250424/> }} Trump and his family involvement in the cryptocurrency industry have given rise to ethical and legal concerns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/25/trump-crypto-corruption-ethics|title='Roadmap for corruption': Trump dive into cryptocurrency raises ethics alarm|first=Peter|last=Stone|work=The Guardian |date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>
On January 17, 2025, Trump launched, promoted, and personally benefited<ref name="Weissert 1222025" /> from a cryptocurrency memecoin, $Trump, that soared to a market valuation of over $5 billion within a few hours—a total $27 billion diluted value—through a Trump-owned company called CIC Digital LLC, which owned 80 percent of the coin's supply.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Jasper |date=January 18, 2025 |title=Trump launches crypto meme coin, ballooning net worth ahead of inauguration |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/18/trump-crypto-meme-coin-inauguration-00199157 |access-date=January 18, 2025}}</ref> Within two days, the $Trump coin became the 19th most valuable form of cryptocurrency in the world, with a total trading value of nearly $13 billion, and a total of $29 billion worth of trades based on a $64 value of each of the 200 million tokens issued by the afternoon of January 19. ''The New York Times'' reported that Trump affiliates controlled an additional 800 million tokens that, hypothetically, could be worth over $51 billion, potentially making Trump one of the richest people in the world. Trump also launched a new meme coin named after his wife$, Melania, and promoted it on Truth Social shortly before attending an inauguration rally. The crypto venture was criticized by ethics experts and government watchdogs.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Yaffe-Bellany |first2=David |date=January 19, 2025 |title=Trump's Cryptocurrency Surges to Become One of the World's Most Valuable |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/us/politics/trump-cryptocurrency-surges.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 19, 2025 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The venture and the possibility of foreign governments buying the coin was highlighted as possibly violating the Constitution's Foreign Emoluments Clause.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romm |first=Tony |date=January 19, 2025 |title=Trump promotes meme coin, raising ethics issues as value soars |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/19/trump-meme-coin-crypto/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 19, 2025 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> He promoted exclusive access to him for the largest holders of $Trump, including hosting a dinner, which according to ''The New York Times'', certain buyers in interviews and statements said they "bought the coins or entered the dinner contest with the intention of securing an action by Mr. Trump to affect United States policy".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Yaffe-Bellany |first2=David |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Auction to Dine With Trump Creates Foreign Influence Opportunity |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-crypto-coin-auction.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 18, 2025 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
He directly benefited from his cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial which engaged in an unprecedented mixing of private enterprise and government policy. It directly solicited access to Trump with secret payments and currency swaps from foreign investors, companies, and individuals with criminal records and investigations. At least one investigation was dropped after payment worth several million was made to the firm, and Trump granted an official pardon to an investor of a company World Liberty had invested in. Trump's family received a cut of all transactions made through the World Liberty, and the company directly advertised its connections to Trump, who disclosed income of nearly US$60 million in an ethics filing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1508d831-60bb-4287-9c76-da7d730cf584|title=Donald Trump discloses $57mn earnings from crypto venture|first=George|last=Steer|work=Financial Times |date=June 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Rhian |last=Lubin |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-financial-disclosure-crypto-merchandise-b2770217.html |title=Trump's made over $50 million from stake in crypto firm|date=June 15, 2025|website=The Independent}}</ref> Several actions taken by Trump's administration regarding cryptocurrency were noted to bolster the company's assets and position. A spokeswoman for Trump stated that since his assets were in a trust managed by his children, there were "no conflicts of interest".<ref name="Lipton 04292025" /> On May 12, 2025, another family bitcoin company co-founded by Eric Trump in March, American Bitcoin, announced plans to go public by merging with an existing Nasdaq company.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Yaffe-Bellany |first1=David |last2=Vogel |first2=Kenneth P. |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Trump Family Bitcoin Company Announces Plan to Go Public |work=The New York Times |id={{ProQuest|3202859086}} |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/business/trump-american-bitcoin-crypto.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>
=== Branding of institutions === {{main|Branding of United States government programs and facilities after Donald Trump}} Trump, long known before he took elective office for labeling his companies' properties and merchandise with his name or image,<ref>{{cite web |last=Abad-Santos |first=Alex |date=January 22, 2021 |title=The future of Donald Trump's brand |url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22243022/donald-trump-lawsuits-future-brand |website=Vox |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> has controversially continued the practice in public life in his second presidential term, in some cases by altering existing names or images.
Soon after the term began, Trump's portrait appeared on large banners hung from three federal buildings in Washington, D.C.; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D.-Calif.) objected that the banners violated “a longstanding legal prohibition against the use of federal funds for propaganda and self-aggrandizement purposes.”<ref>{{cite web |date=September 15, 2025 |title=Schiff report details thousands spent on Trump posters hanging from federal buildings |url=https://gazette.com/2025/09/15/schiff-report-details-thousands-spent-on-trump-posters-hanging-from-federal-buildings/ |website=The Gazette |publisher=Clarity Media Group |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> Trump also promptly dismissed the Kennedy Center's board of trustees, then selected a replacement board, which voted in December to rename the center the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts; its signage was altered to reflect the new name. The change drew criticism from politicians in Congress, some of them in Trump's own party; House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) declared that the board had “no authority to actually rename the Kennedy Center in the absence of legislative action,”<ref>{{cite web |last=Fields |first=Ashleigh |date=December 18, 2025 |title=Hakeem Jeffries says renaming of Kennedy Center is illegal |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5655571-hakeem-jeffries-kennedy-center-name-change/ |website=The Hill |publisher=Nexstar Media Group Inc. |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> and a federal judge later ordered that Trump's name be removed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Garrison |first=Joey |date=29 May 2026 |title=Trump's name must be removed from Kennedy Center, judge orders |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/29/trump-kennedy-center-rebranding-name-judge-illegal/90318608007/ |website=USA Today |publisher=USA Today Co. |access-date=}}</ref> The new board had appointed Trump himself to its chairmanship, a first for a president.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tapper |first=Jake |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Trump elected chair of the Kennedy Center by newly constituted board |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/12/politics/kennedy-center-chair-trump-elected-board |website=CNN |publisher=CNN Worldwide |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> That month, Trump also set his name on the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), renaming it the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, and its signage, too, was so altered. Trump had recently fired not only the USIP's board but its every employee, turning control of its headquarters over to the General Services Administration.<ref>{{cite web |last=Price |first=Michelle L. |date=December 5, 2025 |title=Trump is fighting the Institute of Peace in court. Now, his name is on the building |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-institute-of-peace-6545c0101a02b677359f2732b019bf6a |website=AP News |publisher=The Associated Press |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> Trump further announced that month a plan for a new fleet of naval vessels, to be called Trump-class battleships, although battleships have long been obsolete in naval warfare<ref>{{cite web |last=Lim |first=Hui Jie |date=December 26, 2025 |title=The 'Trump-class' battleship faces a large obstacle in its way: Reality |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/26/trump-class-battleship-uss-defiant-golden-fleet-rail-gun-laser-reality-defense-war-experts-skeptical.html |website=CNBC |publisher=CNBC, Inc. |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Frazier |first=Allen |date=December 27, 2025 |title=Trump Announces New Class of Battleships Despite Century of Evidence Proving the Large Warships Are Obsolete |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2025/12/24/trump-announces-new-class-of-battleships-despite-century-of-evidence-proving-large-warships-are.html |website=Military.com |publisher=Valnet Inc. |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> and the Navy's last one in service was decommissioned in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 20, 2017 |title=Why the Navy Phased Out Battleships |url=khttps://pearlharbor.org/blog/navy-phased-battleships/ |website=Pearl Harbor |publisher=Mauka Tours LLC |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref>
For many years, the National Park Service's annual general pass depicted natural landscapes, but the new 2026 pass design for U.S. residents has a photo of Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gorman |first=Steve |date=December 11, 2025 |title=Lawsuit seeks to keep Trump's face off of national parks annual pass |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/lawsuit-seeks-keep-trumps-face-off-national-parks-annual-pass-2025-12-11/ |website=Reuters |publisher=Thomson Reuters Corporation |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> The redesign triggered a popular backlash of passholders' covering his photo with stickers; the Park Service responded by updating its ban on defaced passes to include anything obscuring the front.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Windsor |date=January 9, 2026 |title=National Park Service will void passes with stickers over Trump's face |url=https://www.npr.org/2026/01/09/nx-s1-5672341/national-park-updates-guidelines-stop-visitors-defacing-trump-picture-pass |website=NPR |publisher=National Public Radio, Inc. |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> The year also marked the Treasury's announcement that Trump's own signature would replace that of the treasurer on paper currency, another first for a president,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lawder |first=David |date=March 26, 2026 |title=Trump signature to appear on US currency, ending 165-year tradition |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-signature-appear-us-currency-treasury-says-ending-165-year-tradition-2026-03-26/ |website=Reuters |publisher=Thomson Reuters Corporation |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref> and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's consent to renaming Palm Beach International Airport after Trump,<ref>{{cite web |date=March 30, 2026 |title=Airport cleared to be renamed for Trump as he unveils design for skyscraper library |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-airport-rename-presidential-library-f43d6b1cdfb0388eb9cb59f32d54c31c |website=AP News |publisher=The Associated Press |access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> a change the president had reportedly sought in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nelken-Zitser |first=Joshua |date=December 27, 2020 |title=Donald Trump reportedly wants an airport named after him when he leaves office. Palm Beach International Airport has been suggested to him as an option. |url= https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-wants-airport-named-after-him-florida-mar-a-lago|website=Business Insider |publisher=Insider Inc. |access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> Other measures bearing Trump’s name are Trump accounts, tax-advantaged investment accounts for American minors rolled out as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; TrumpRx, a prescription drug website run by the federal government; and the Trump Gold Card, a program offering foreign nationals expedited U.S. residency in exchange for donations of $1 million or more to the Commerce Department and denounced by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D.-Ill.) as illegal.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rahman |first=Khaleda |date=September 22, 2025 |title=Trump Gold Card Sparks Warning That Wealthy 'Cartel Bosses' Could Abuse It |url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-gold-card-warning-abuse-2133716 |website=Newsweek |publisher=Newsweek Publishing LLC |access-date=April 9, 2026}}</ref>
=== Authoritarianism === {{Authoritarian drift during the second Trump administration sidebar}} {{Split|Second presidency of Donald Trump#Authoritarianism|Trump and authoritarianism|date=April 2026|discuss=Talk:Democratic backsliding in the United States#Split article into "Trump and authoritarianism"}} [[File:1975- Ideology of political murders - US.svg|thumb|In September 2025, Trump announced a widespread crackdown on left-wing groups and donors, saying that "the radicals on the left are the problem" with political violence.<ref name="NYTimes_20250912">{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David |date=September 12, 2025 |title=Trump Downplays Violence on the Right and Says the Left Is the Problem |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/us/politics/trump-charlie-kirk-shooting.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914051517/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/us/politics/trump-charlie-kirk-shooting.html |archive-date=September 14, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Green |first1=Erica L. |last2=Kanno-Youngs |first2=Zolan |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |date=March 20, 2025 |title=How Trump Is Trying to Consolidate Power Over Courts, Congress and More |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/trump-power-courts-crisis.html |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=The New York Times |quote=President Trump's expansive interpretation of presidential power has become the defining characteristic of his second term.}}</ref> However, cumulatively over decades, most extremist killings in the US have been caused by right-wing perpetrators.<ref name="Time_and_Cato">{{cite web |last1=Schneid |first1=Rebecca |date=September 16, 2025 |title=Trump Called for a Crackdown on the 'Radical Left.' But Right-Wing Extremists Are Responsible for More Political Violence |url=https://time.com/7317383/political-violence-america-trump-crackdown-right/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918205014/https://time.com/7317383/political-violence-america-trump-crackdown-right/ |archive-date=September 18, 2025 |website=time.com |publisher=Time magazine}} ●{{nbsp}}For data, Schneid cites {{cite web |last1=Nowrasteh |first1=Alex |date=September 11, 2025 |title=Politically Motivated Violence Is Rare in the United States |url=https://www.cato.org/blog/politically-motivated-violence-rare-united-states |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917050147/https://www.cato.org/blog/politically-motivated-violence-rare-united-states |archive-date=September 17, 2025 |publisher=The Cato Institute}} Table 2.</ref><ref name="AP_20250914">{{cite news |last1=Riccardi |first1=Nicholas |date=September 14, 2025 |title=Blame game after acts of political violence can lead to further attacks, experts warn |url=https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-political-violence-shootings-utah-7b4e9b662932943a77635a0f8e839270 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915125254/https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-political-violence-shootings-utah-7b4e9b662932943a77635a0f8e839270 |archive-date=September 15, 2025 |work=AP News}}</ref>]]
==== Government targeting of political opponents and civil society ==== {{#invoke:Excerpt|main|only=paragraphs|Targeting of political opponents and civil society under the second Trump administration}} In February 2026, during his State of the Union address to Congress, Trump was publicly criticized by Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who challenged his immigration policies and accused his administration of harming U.S. citizens. In response, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, suggesting that the lawmakers "should be sent back from where they came". Omar, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Somalia, and Tlaib, a U.S.-born citizen of Palestinian descent, were both widely reported to have been the focus of these remarks. Media outlets and civil rights organizations described Trump's comments as xenophobic and controversial, drawing bipartisan criticism for targeting members of Congress based on their heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-muslim-lawmakers-omar-tlaib-should-be-removed-us-after-speech-clash-2026-02-25/|title="Trump says Muslim lawmakers Omar, Tlaib should be removed from US after speech clash" |work=Reuters }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 26, 2026 |title=Trump says Muslim congresswomen should be removed from US over speech clash |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-26/donald-trump-state-of-the-union-ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib/106390752 |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2026 |title=Trump says Muslim lawmakers should be sent 'back from where they came' after State of the Union clash |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-state-of-the-union-ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib-immigration-congress-rcna260667 |access-date=February 26, 2026 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Morgan |date=February 25, 2026 |title=Trump blasts Omar, Tlaib as 'lunatics', says 'send them back' after SOTU protests |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-blasts-omar-tlaib-lunatics-says-send-them-back-after-sotu-protests |access-date=February 26, 2026 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Flood-the-zone strategy ==== {{Main|Flood the zone}}
thumb|Comparisons between numbers of first-day executive orders The beginning of Trump's second presidency is largely recognized as the one theorized by political strategist Steve Bannon during Trump's first presidency, here deployed by Stephen Miller. The strategy consists of "flood[ing] the zone of shit", with an impressive number of claims and executive orders with the intent to tire journalists, political opponents and judicial institutions. As such the latter can't react rapidly and appropriately enough, and it nips controversies in the bud because of the flood of information. The administration had already prepared diverse executive orders to allow the signing of 55 executive orders in 20 days, a frequency never before seen.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Brett |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Trump's flood-the-zone strategy delights MAGA |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5111638-trump-mega-strategy-overload/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430165912/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5111638-trump-mega-strategy-overload/ |archive-date=April 30, 2025 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |work=The Hill |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2025 |title='Submerger' pour mieux régner : la stratégie du chaos de Donald Trump pour paralyser ses adversaires |trans-title='Overwhelm' to better rule: Donald Trump's strategy of chaos to paralyze his opponents |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/monde/usa/presidentielle/donald-trump/submerger-pour-mieux-regner-la-strategie-du-chaos-de-donald-trump-pour-paralyser-ses-adversaires_7068422.html |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=Franceinfo |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2025 |title='Inonder la zone', cette stratégie derrière les annonces tonitruantes de Donald Trump |trans-title='Flood the zone': the strategy behind Donald Trump's bombastic announcements |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/international/article/derriere-les-outrances-de-donald-trump-la-strategie-populiste-d-inonder-la-zone_245852.html |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=Le HuffPost |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dugua |first=Pierre-Yves |date=February 11, 2025 |title='Inonder la zone' : chez Donald Trump, une hyperactivité antiwoke pour déboussoler l'opposition |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/inonder-la-zone-chez-donald-trump-une-hyperactivite-antiwoke-pour-deboussoler-l-opposition-20250211 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last3=Parti |first1=Alex |last1=Leary |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |first3=Tarini |date=February 16, 2025 |title=Trump Steamrolls Critics With Flood-the-Zone Strategy |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/donald-trump-strategy-media-supporters-999ecfec |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 28, 2025 |title=Trump's 'Flood the Zone' Strategy Leaves Opponents Gasping in Outrage |first=Luke |last=Broadwater |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/us/politics/trump-policy-blitz.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012074136/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/us/politics/trump-policy-blitz.html |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Concentration of executive power ==== A month after the beginning of the presidency, the government had been sued 200 times for "executive overreach", which the administration lost for the most part.<ref name="ARTE">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTjHDvw21nY |title=Trump contre la loi |date=October 28, 2025 |last=ARTE |type=Documentary |language=fr |access-date=November 2, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> On Twitter, Trump justified his policies by quoting Napoleon: "He who saves his Country does not violate any Law".<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2025 |title=Trump Faces Backlash for Invoking Napoleon to Justify Presidential Authority |url=https://ground.news/daily-briefing/trump-if-it-saves-the-country-its-not-illegal_95fa60 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219142554/https://ground.news/daily-briefing/trump-if-it-saves-the-country-its-not-illegal_95fa60 |archive-date=February 19, 2025 |website=Ground News}}</ref> In reaction, the American left accused him of acting as a dictator.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Trump post has critics saying he's declaring himself above the law |first=Julia |last=Reinstein |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-post-critics-declaring-law/story?id=118880089 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news |title=Trump: If it saves the country, it's not illegal |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-if-it-saves-country-its-not-illegal-2025-02-16/ |date=February 16, 2025 |first=Doina |last=Chiacu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317164751/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-if-it-saves-country-its-not-illegal-2025-02-16/ |archive-date=March 17, 2025 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last3=Cohen |first1=Betsy |last1=Klein |first2=Katelyn |last2=Polantz |first3=Zachary |date=February 17, 2025 |title=Trump appears to channel Napoleon in vision for executive authority: 'He who saves his Country does not violate any Law' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/16/politics/trump-executive-authority-napoleon-post |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
The right-wing and left-wing media both claim that their policies allowed a hitherto concentration of executive power in US history. Experts and newspapers feared a constitutional crisis because of frequent checks and balances breaches.<ref name=":7" /> The Trump administration often questioned the legitimacy of judges blocking his executive orders.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2025 |title=US judges alarmed over rise in violent threats as Trump and Musk lambast them |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/us-judges-threats-trump-musk |access-date=December 10, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
According to ''The New Yorker'', Trump's new governance based itself on unconditional loyalty towards himself. Trump allegedly implemented a climate where any criticism even among the Republicans is sanctioned. Figures like Jack Posobiec and Laura Loomer acted as ideological safeguards by listing potential dissidents among the party.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hitchens |first=Antonia |date=April 21, 2025 |title=How Trump Worship Took Hold in Washington |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/28/how-trump-worship-took-hold-in-washington |access-date=December 10, 2025 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>
The administrations openly wanted to concentrate political powers within Trump's hands. They justify it with the unitary executive theory, alleging that by having been elected and with the approval of the Constitution, Trump is warranted in having unchecked and absolute power on the judicial branch, and on politics in general.<ref name="ARTE" /> Legal expert Julien Jeanneney argued that the "unconstitutional" policies of Trump are backed by the Supreme Court, of which a third of the judges had been appointed by Trump during his first presidency, hence making Republican judges the majority. According to Jeanneney most of the judges "seem clearly on Trump's side concerning most of his policies, even when they violate the Court's long-lived principles".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeanneney |first=Julien |date=December 9, 2025 |title=La Cour suprême et le président : un siècle de bras de fer |url=https://www.lhistoire.fr/la-cour-supr%C3%AAme-et-le-pr%C3%A9sident%C2%A0-un-si%C3%A8cle-de-bras-de-fer |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=L'Histoire |language=fr}}</ref>
Numerous experts of fascism and historians (Jason Stanley, Marci Shore, Timothy Snyder,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXR9PByA9SY |title=We're Experts in Fascism. We're Leaving the U.S. |date=May 18, 2025 |last=New York Times Opinion |access-date=December 10, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Johann Chapoutot,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHtkq7o8PKQ |title=Fascisme en 2025 : comment en est-on arrivé là ? |date=March 10, 2025 |last=France Culture |access-date=December 10, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Paul Lerner, Anne Berg,<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2025 |title=What parallels do historians see between the Trump administration and the Nazi regime? |first=Stéphanie |last=Trouillard |url=https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20250307-what-parallels-do-historians-see-between-the-trump-administration-and-the-nazi-regime |access-date=December 10, 2025 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> Diana Garvin, Tiffany Florvil, Claudia Koonz,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matei |first=Adrienne |date=September 21, 2025 |title=From Nazi Germany to Trump's America: why strongmen rely on women at home |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/sep/21/fascism-women-homemaker-trad-wife |access-date=December 10, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Asma Mhalla,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MMwq-PRJRw |title=Vous n'avez rien vu, Trump a déjà changé votre monde (avec Asma Mhalla) |date=October 1, 2025 |last=HugoDécrypte - Grands formats |access-date=December 10, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and Ben Worthy<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Worthy |first=Ben |date=September 10, 2025 |title=The Fascism of Donald Trump |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20419058251376785 |journal=Political Insight |language=en |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=31–33 |doi=10.1177/20419058251376785 |issn=2041-9058|url-access=subscription }}</ref>) denounced the authoritarianism of the presidency, which they explicitly linked to fascism. However experts Christopher R. Browning,<ref name=":14" /> Roger Griffin,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnNvKpIIa4 |title=This House Believes Trump is a 21st Century Fascist |date=February 16, 2025 |last=Cambridge Union |access-date=December 10, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Janos Bourgeois,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bourgeois |first=Jano |date=January 12, 2026 |title=Mieux diagnostiquer la dérive américaine pour mieux y résister |trans-title=To better diagnose the American drift to better tackle it |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/libre-opinion/947235/mieux-diagnostiquer-derive-americaine-mieux-y-resister? |website=Le Devoir}}</ref> Lloyd Cox and Brendon O'Connor<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Lloyd |last2=O'Connor |first2=Brendon |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Trumpism, fascism and neoliberalism |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1600910X.2025.2481159 |journal=Distinktion: Journal of Social Theory |volume=27 |language=en |pages=29–46 |doi=10.1080/1600910X.2025.2481159 |issn=1600-910X}}</ref> contested this comparison, although Browning noted "uncanny resemblances" between Trump and Hitler,<ref name=":14" /> and Cox and O'Connor talked about "proto-fascist phenomenon".<ref name=":0" />
==== Academic evaluations ==== {{multiple image | total_width=450 | image1 = V-Dem Electoral and Liberal Democracy Indices for the United States since 1900.svg |caption1= The V-Dem Institute said in 2026 regarding Trump's presidency that "the speed with which American democracy is currently dismantled is unprecedented in modern history".<ref name=VDEM_Report_2026/> The institute noted executive overreach undermining the rule of law, suppression and intimidation of media and dissenting voices, loss of legislative constraints, and declining civil rights, equality, and freedom of expression.<ref name=VDEM_Report_2026>{{cite web |title=Democracy Report 2026 / Unraveling The Democratic Era? |url=https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf |publisher=V-Dem Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260320121434/https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf |archive-date=March 20, 2026 |page=33 In Focus: Autocratization in the USA |date=March 2026 |url-status=live}}<br>●{{nbsp}}Raw data presented at: {{cite web |title=Country Graph |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data_analysis/CountryGraph/ |publisher=V-Dem Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260301172546/https://www.v-dem.net/data_analysis/CountryGraph/ |archive-date=March 1, 2026 |date=March 2026 |url-status=live}} (Choose "United States of America" and select "Election Democracy Index" and "Liberal Democracy Index".)</ref> | image2= 20260513 Autocracy index - markers of democratic erosion.svg |caption2= In October 2025, ''The New York Times'' editorial board created an Autocracy Index showing erosion of US democracy using various benchmarks, offering "a way to understand how much Mr. Trump is eroding American democracy" since his January 2025 inauguration. Illustrated benchmark values are those published in May 2026.<ref name=NYTimes_20260513>{{cite news |author1=The Editorial Board |title=The Iran War Worsens America's Democratic Erosion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/05/13/opinion/iran-war-democracy-america.html |date=May 13, 2026 |work=The New York Times}} The editorial board wrote that "clearest sign that a democracy has died is that a leader and his party make it impossible for their opponents to win an election and hold power".</ref> }} Professor Christina Pagel mapped the first actions of the Trump administration in a Venn diagram that identifies "five broad domains that correspond to features of proto-authoritarian states". These five domains are: undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law, dismantling federal government; dismantling social protections and rights, enrichment and corruption; suppressing dissent and controlling information; attacking science, environment, health, arts and education, particularly universities; aggressive foreign policy and global destabilization.<ref name="kottke-pagel">{{Cite web |last=Kottke |first=Jason |title=The Venn Diagram of Trump's Authoritarian Actions |work=kottke.org |access-date=February 14, 2025 |date=February 14, 2025 |url=https://kottke.org/25/02/the-venn-diagram-of-trumps-authoritarian-actions}}</ref> The journalist Martin Sandu and the authoritarian politics researcher Alex Norris described the maximalist interpretation of executive power in Trump's second term as president, including sweeping executive orders, the federal funding freeze, actions against political opponents and the media, pardons of those involved in the January 6th Capitol attack, the actions of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, and the like as an attempted self-coup.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sandbu |first1=Martin |title=Donald Trump's administrative self-coup |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a221a10a-5ac2-47b6-ba8b-30e18553c181 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |work=Financial Times |date=January 30, 2025|quote=This assault on both Congress's power of the purse and on the US's administrative state is as much of a self-coup as was the spurring of insurrectionists on January 6, 2021.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Alex |title=Is It a Coup? |url=https://www.liberalcurrents.com/is-it-a-coup/ |access-date=February 14, 2025 |work=Liberal Currents |date=February 13, 2025 |quote=Verdict: Self coup, in-progress, success still unknown}}</ref> The political scientist Lee Morgenbesser argued the actions of DOGE are a form of state capture.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgebesser |first1=Lee |title=Why we should be worried about Elon Musk's siege of the US government |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-donald-trump-government-state-capture-coup-b2697554.html |access-date=February 14, 2025 |work=The Independent |date=February 13, 2025 |quote=More accurately, Musk's siege amounts to a form of 'state capture'. This refers to 'the appropriation of state resources by political actors for their own ends: either private or political.'}}</ref>
== Elections during the second Trump presidency == {| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:1em" |+ Congressional party leaders |- ! colspan="2" | ! colspan="2" | Senate leaders ! colspan="2" | House leaders |- ! Congress ! Year ! Majority ! Minority ! Speaker ! Minority |- ! {{party shading/Republican}} | 119th ! {{party shading/Republican}} | <small>2025–present</small> | {{party shading/Republican}} | '''Thune''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Schumer | {{party shading/Republican}} | '''Johnson''' | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Jeffries |}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:1em" |+ Republican seats in Congress |- ! Congress ! Senate ! House |- ! 119th{{efn|name="Congress"|17 days of the 119th Congress (January 3, 2025 – January 19, 2025) took place under President Biden.}} | '''53''' | '''220''' |}
== Relations with other branches == {{Further|Domestic policy of the second Trump administration#Relationship with other branches|Legal affairs of the second Trump presidency}}
=== Judicial appointments === {{Main|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}}
== Internal Republican politics == === MAGA fallout over non-release of Jeffrey Epstein files === On July 7, 2025, the FBI issued a two-page statement saying they had concluded that infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did not possess a "client list", even though Attorney General Pam Bondi had hinted in February that such a document was on her desk. Several right-wing media personalities were highly critical of the decision. And per mainstream sources, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is considering resigning and had been feuding with Bondi. One of the reasons given for the non-release is the privacy of the victims. At a White House press conference on the same day, President Trump asked a reporter, "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?"<ref name="ABC, Trump supporters angry, July 7, 2025">[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-supporters-angry-justice-departments-epstein-memo/story?id=123567461 "Trump supporters angry over Justice Department's Epstein memo"], ''ABC News'', July 7, 2025. President Trump said, "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. You're asking. We have Texas, we have this. We have all of the things. And are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable. Do you want to waste the time? And do you feel like answering?"</ref>
In late-July 24, several Senator Republicans spoke in favor of releasing the information. Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) said, "The idea that Trump did something nefarious and Biden sat on it for four years, It's hard to believe. Just put it out. Let people look at it." Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said, "Anybody who ever met him is going to be mentioned, so I don't think that's a big deal ... but nor is it a reason to withhold the documents." Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) said, "I'm where I've been every time you always ask me this question. Release the damn files."<ref name="ABC News, Senate Republicans, July 24, 2025">{{Cite news |date=July 24, 2025 |title='Get it all out': Senate Republicans grapple with Epstein case amid reports on Trump ties |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-gop-grapple-epstein-case-amid-reports-trump/story?id=124040159 |work=ABC News }}</ref>
On September 3, 2025, at an at large outside press conference on the Capitol steps, legislators were joined by nearly a dozen women who state they had been abused by convicted offender Epstein. Representatives Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and close ally of Trump, urged the House of Representatives to vote to release the full files. House Republican leaders offered an alternative vote to continue investigation by the House Oversight Committee.
On September 3, President Trump spoke to reporters from the Oval Office, and said that the call for release of files is a "Democrat hoax that never ends".<ref name="CBS News, Epstein Survivors">{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2025 |title=Jeffrey Epstein survivors call for full files to be released: "We matter now" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/jeffrey-epstein-victims-news-conference-capitol-hill/ |website=CBS News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="CNN, files push, Sept 3, 2025">{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2025| title=Epstein files push hits a 'boiling point' in Congress as Trump dismisses it as a hoax |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/03/politics/congress-epstein-files-victims-trump-hoax |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, CNN states that Democrats have "sought to weaponize the Epstein issue against Trump and the GOP in recent weeks, trying to force votes that would put vulnerable Republicans in difficult positions. But the tone of Wednesday's press conference was far less partisan."<ref name="CNN, files push, Sept 3, 2025" />
On October 7, Attorney General Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and BBC drew five "takeaways" including "3. Bondi keen to focus on crime" and "4. But Democrats focus on Epstein". However, Senator John Kennedy (Republican - Louisiana) repeated comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that Epstein was "the greatest blackmailer ever".<ref name="BBC, Five takeaways, 7 Oct 2025">[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75qpl70xvzo.amp "Five takeaways from Pam Bondi's tense, partisan Senate hearing"], BBC News, October 7, 2025. Other takeaways include "1. Bondi goes on the attack", "2. Lots of questions, few answers", and "5. Republicans look back in anger".</ref>
On November 12, 2025, the petition to force a House vote for the release of the Epstein files by the Department of Justice secured the final required signature from Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, the latter being sworn in for her position after the end of the October 2025 government shutdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2025 |title=Epstein discharge petition secures final signature needed to force House vote on releasing files - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epstein-discharge-petition-final-signature-files-adelita-grijalva/ |access-date=November 15, 2025 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> On the same day, House Democrats released a series of private emails between Epstein, Gishaline Maxwell, and journalist Michael Wolff. Among them was an email in which Epstein stated that "Trump knew about the girls," though without it being clear that this refers to Epstein's crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Kaitlan |date=November 12, 2025 |title=Epstein mentioned Trump multiple times in private emails, new release shows |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/politics/epstein-trump-emails-oversight-committee |access-date=November 15, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
On November 18, the Epstein Files Transparency Act cleared the House and Senate with overwhelming majorities, requiring the release of all materials relating to the Epstein investigation within 30 days.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2025 |title=When will the Epstein files be released now that the Senate has agreed to make them public? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq50nvq8znvo |access-date=November 19, 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> This would exclude victims' names, as well as material which depicts sexual abuse. The Justice Department may also withhold any materials whose release would "jeapordise an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary". This fact has drawn concern from certain lawmakers, who argue that recently started, ongoing investigations into Bill Clinton and Larry Summers may delay the release of some materials.<ref name="auto2"/> The Act also requires the executive branch to provide an unredacted "list of all government officials and politically exposed persons" who are included in the material. CNN has expressed scepticism about this aspect of the Act, arguing in an analysis article that "the administration might play games with whatever discretion it has — say, by releasing information that's politically advantageous but withholding other information using the available justifications."<ref name="CNN, Analysis – Will he actually release them all?, Nov 19, 2025">{{Cite news |date=November 19, 2025 |title=Analysis—Trump signed the Epstein files bill. Will he actually release them all? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/19/politics/release-epstein-files-trump |work=CNN News}}</ref>
Trump has reversed course and now states he favors the release of the material.<ref name="ABC News, House to Vote, Nov 18, 2025">{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2025| title=House to vote on full Epstein files release -- the move Speaker Mike Johnson fought for months |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-full-epstein-files-release-move-speaker/story?id=127593181 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> He signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 19, and made a lengthy post on Truth Social which included the claim, "Do not forget — The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 2025 |title=Epstein files to go public as Trump says he signed law authorizing release of records |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/epstein-files-go-public-trump-says-he-signed-law-authorizing-release-records.amp |work=Fox News }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 20, 2025 |title=Trump signs bill directing DOJ to publicly release entire Epstein case file |url=https://www.upi.com/amp/Top_News/US/2025/11/19/senate-finalizes-epstein-files-bill/6911763574202/ |work=UPI News }}</ref>
==Public opinion== {{Main|Opinion polling on the second Trump presidency|United States presidential approval rating}} {{multiple image | total_width = 450 | image1 = Composite of polls of Donald Trump 2nd-term presidential approval ratings over time.png | caption1 = Trump's aggregated presidential approval ratings consistently declined over the first ten months of his second term, with more disapproval ratings than approval ratings just two months after his election and disapproval ratings rising to over 50% after three months.<ref name=NYTimes_CompositePolling_2025>{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Annie |last2=Huang |first2=Jon |last3=Igielnik |first3=Ruth |last4=Lee |first4=Jasmine C. |last5=Lemonides |first5=Alex |last6=Smith |first6=Jonah |last7=Sun |first7=Albert |last8=Taylor |first8=Rumsey |title=President Trump's Approval Rating: Latest Polls |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls.html |work=The New York Times |date=March 17, 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251110164022/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls.html |archive-date=November 10, 2025 }}</ref> | image2 = 202512 First-year presidential approval ratings.svg | caption2 = In a larger context, Trump's approval rating (Gallup polling) after the first year of his second term was the lowest of any president since 1977.<ref name=NYTimes_20251226>{{cite news |last1=Rattner |first1=Steven |title=Trump's First Year Back, in 10 Charts / Chart 9. America the Unhappy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/27/opinion/year-in-charts-2025.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 26, 2025}} (Rattner credits: "Source: Gallup" and "Graphics by Sara Chodosh")</ref> }}
Donald Trump began his second term with another historically low job approval rating, only improving on his lowest-ever rating (occurring in his first term) by three percentage points.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Brenan |first=Megan |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Trump's Inaugural Approval Rating Is Historically Low Again |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/655955/trump-inaugural-approval-rating-historically-low-again.aspx |access-date=February 23, 2025 |publisher=Gallup, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> President Trump began his first term at 45% job approval, and his second with 47%. According to Gallup, "Trump remains the only elected president with sub-50% initial approval ratings".<ref name=":4" /> In a CBS News/YouGov poll conducted from February 5–7, 2025, Trump reached a career high poll rating of 53%.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Salvanto |first1=Anthony |last2=De Pinto |first2=Jennifer |last3=Backus |first3=Fred |last4=Khanna |first4=Kabir |date=February 9, 2025 |title=CBS News poll — Trump has positive approval amid "energetic" opening weeks; seen as doing what he promised – CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-approval-opinion-poll-2025-2-9/ |access-date=February 13, 2025 |website= |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> According to ABC News, Trump's approval rating at the end of his first 100 days in office was 39%, even lower than his already low 42% approval rating at the end of his first 100 days of his first presidency and the worst of any president's approval ratings after their 100 days in 80 years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langer |first1=Gary |title=Trump has lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years: Poll |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-lowest-100-day-approval-rating-80-years/story?id=121165473 |access-date=May 17, 2025 |work=ABC News |date=April 26, 2025}}</ref> By July 2025, Gallup found Trump's approval rating reached the lowest for his second term at 37%, largely driven by declining support from independents,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brenan|first=Megan|date=July 24, 2025|title=Independents Drive Trump's Approval to 37% Second-Term Low|work=Gallup|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/692879/independents-drive-trump-approval-second-term-low.aspx|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 16, 2025}}</ref> and in August, multiple surveys revealed record or near-record low job approval ratings, which Gallup found to be lower than any modern president.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Palmer|first=Kathryn|date=August 15, 2025|title=Trump approval rating round-up: Where does president stand in recent polls?|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/15/trump-approval-rating-polls/85663008007/|access-date=August 16, 2025|quote=It's the latest in a string of national surveys released in the past month giving Trump record-low numbers, following a 37% approval from a July 7–21 Gallup poll and a 40% approval rating from a Reuters/Ispos poll at the end of the month. A historical analysis by Gallup shows Trump's approval ratings in the first July of both of his terms are lower than those of any other modern president.}}</ref>
As was the case during Trump's first term,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trumps-approval-rating-is-incredibly-steady-is-that-weird-or-the-new-normal/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190328153703/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trumps-approval-rating-is-incredibly-steady-is-that-weird-or-the-new-normal/|url-status= dead|archive-date= March 28, 2019|title=Trump's Approval Rating Is Incredibly Steady. Is That Weird Or The New Normal?|work=FiveThirtyEight|date=March 28, 2019|accessdate=February 3, 2026|last=Skelley|first=Geoffrey}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/08/24/trumps-approval-ratings-so-far-are-unusually-stable-and-deeply-partisan/|title=Trump's approval ratings so far are unusually stable - and deeply partisan|work=Pew Research Center|date=August 24, 2020|accessdate=February 3, 2026|last=Dunn|first=Amina}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/poll-trump-approval-remains-stable-republicans-unmoved-after-capitol-violence-n1254457|title=Trump approval remains stable in new NBC poll, with Republicans unmoved after Capitol violence|last=Dann|first=Carrie|work=NBC News|date=January 17, 2021|accessdate=February 3, 2026}}</ref> the president's approval ratings have remained remarkably stable.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/09/30/americans-view-trump-vance-and-congressional-leaders-in-both-parties-more-negatively-than-positively/|title=Americans view Trump, Vance and congressional leaders in both parties more negatively than positively|work=Pew Research Center|date=September 30, 2025|accessdate=February 3, 2026|last=Kiley|first=Jocelyn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-donald-trump-starts-2026-44-approval|title=Fox News Poll: Donald Trump starts 2026 with 44% approval|last=Blanton|first=Dana|work=Fox News|date=January 28, 2026|accessdate=February 3, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-approval-polling-favorability-presidential-approval-poll-f7eee34a49d2db7670577f4491e1caf0|title=It's a year of rapid change, except when it comes to Trump's approval numbers, AP-NORC polling finds|last1=Thomson-DeVeaux|first1=Amelia|last2=Cooper|first2=Jonathan J.|work=Associated Press|date=July 27, 2025|accessdate=February 5, 2026}}</ref> His ratings are also very polarized, often with more Republicans than Democrats approving of his leadership.
In May 2026, a Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll reported declining approval of Trump's leadership, with respondents expressing dissatisfaction over issues including the Iran war and economic policy.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Clement |first1=Scott |last2=Balz |first2=Dan |date=May 3, 2026 |title=Trump disapproval reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/05/03/trump-approval-ratings-poll/ |access-date=May 16, 2026 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Separately, Navigator Research polling indicated that around one in five voters who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election expressed regret over their vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2026 |title=Trump voters' regret hits new high |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/2/26/2370534/news/trump-voters-regret-hits-new-high/ |access-date=May 16, 2026 |website=Daily Kos}}</ref>
=== Immigration enforcement and protests against ICE === In early June 2025 in response to street protests against ICE actions, President Trump activated and sent 2,100 members of the California National Guard to the Los Angeles area.<ref name="BBC News, What the National Guard has been seen doing in Los Angeles area, June 10, 2025">{{cite web |first1=Christal |last1=Hayes |access-date=November 11, 2025 |date=June 10, 2025 |title=What the National Guard has been seen doing in Los Angeles area |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgr5vgexj1gt?post=asset%3A8568b43d-99e5-4f20-9651-2202fab4626b#post |website=BBC News}}</ref> Reuters reported that the protests were the strongest domestic backlash to Trump since he took office in January,<ref name="Pitas 06102025">{{Cite news|last=Pitas|first=Costas|date=June 10, 2025|title=Key facts about Los Angeles, progressive beacon at center of anti-Trump backlash|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/los-angeles-progressive-beacon-center-anti-trump-backlash-2025-06-10/|url-access=subscription|access-date=January 10, 2025|quote=Protests in Los Angeles against raids on suspected undocumented immigrants have turned into the strongest domestic backlash against President Donald Trump since he took office in January.}}</ref> and became a focal point in a national debate over immigration, protest, the use of federal force in domestic affairs, the boundaries of presidential power, and freedom of speech and assembly.<ref name="Bose 07082025">{{Cite news |last=Bose |first=Nandita |date=June 8, 2025 |title=Political divide widens as Trump deploys National Guard to Los Angeles |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/political-divide-widens-trump-deploys-national-guard-los-angeles-2025-06-08/ |access-date=June 9, 2025 |quote=The protests against the raids have become the latest focal point in a national debate over immigration, protest rights, and the use of federal force in domestic affairs. It also has fueled discussion on the boundaries of presidential power and the public's right to dissent.}}</ref>
=== June 2025 military parade and "No Kings" protests === On June 14, the Trump administration held the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.<ref name="BBC News, Mass protests against Trump across US as president holds military parade, June 14, 2025">{{cite web |author1=Bernd Debusmann |author2=John Sudworth |author3=Kayla Epstein |date=June 14, 2025 |title=Mass protests against Trump across US as president holds military parade |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70622038yxo.amp |website=BBC News |access-date=November 11, 2025 }}</ref> The parade is estimated to have cost somewhere between $25 and $45{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="BBC News, Mass protests against Trump across US as president holds military parade, June 14, 2025" /> In protest, 50501, Indivisible, and other organizations<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oppenheim |first=Oren |title=What to know about 'No Kings Day' protests across US to counter Trump's military parade |date=June 14, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kings-day-protests-us-counter-trumps-military-parade/story?id=122813898 |access-date=June 17, 2025 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> organized No Kings protests in many American cities. Millions attended the largest protest since Trump was re-elected.<ref name="BBC News, Mass protests against Trump across US as president holds military parade, June 14, 2025" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ewing|first=Giselle Ruhiyyih|date=June 14, 2025|title=The Resistance 2.0 arrives with nationwide 'No Kings' protests|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/14/no-kings-protest-trump-00406243|access-date=June 15, 2025|quote=As President Donald Trump's military parade rolled through the nation's capital on Saturday, millions of Americans across the country took part in the largest coordinated protests against the president since the start of his second administration.}}</ref>
=== October 2025 "No Kings" protests === {{Excerpt|October 2025 No Kings protests|files=0}}
==See also== {{Portal|2020s|United States|Politics|Conservatism}} {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * Bibliography of Donald Trump * Efforts to impeach Donald Trump * ICE incidents in New York City during the second Trump presidency * Government attacks on journalists in the United States during Donald Trump's second presidency * List of federal political scandals in the United States (21st century) * {{section link|List of United States presidential vetoes|Donald Trump}} * Political positions of Donald Trump {{div col end}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Wikiquote-inline}} * {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Second presidency of Donald Trump}} {{Donald Trump}} {{JD Vance}} {{Presidents of the United States}} {{Republican Party (United States)}}
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