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WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump nears the end of his first month in his second term, he has taken significant steps to alter the landscape of American social, political, and economic life, while also redefining U.S. foreign relations.
In this period, Trump has also enlisted the help of Elon Musk, a billionaire entrepreneur, to facilitate the termination of thousands of federal workers, and could potentially move to eliminate entire government agencies established by previous legislative efforts.
These actions have overshadowed Trump’s ongoing strict immigration policies, his focus on the U.S.–Mexico border, and changes to social policies such as removing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and rolling back rights for transgender individuals.
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Additionally, the administration has imposed numerous new tariffs on international trade partners and indicated readiness to enact further tariffs, despite economists warning that these actions could lead to higher costs for American consumers and exacerbated inflation.
Looking back, the first month has unfolded with remarkable speed:
Mass federal firings begin
Under Trump’s direction, thousands of federal employees, often still in probationary periods, faced immediate dismissal, with some given as little as an hour to vacate their positions.
Those targeted for termination included a range of professionals, such as medical researchers, foreign service agents, FBI operatives, and various specialists in education and agriculture.
At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, employees indicated that the goal was not merely to reduce staff but to dismantle the agency’s past achievements, despite a court order that temporarily halts significant further action until early March.
Trump’s aggressive agenda holds the potential to displace numerous federal workers and push up the unemployment rate if mass layoffs occur simultaneously.
Legal challenges mount
From the outset of his term, Trump’s executive actions have faced a flurry of legal objections, with around 70 lawsuits filed in opposition to his agenda since January 20.
While Congress, under Republican control, has not provided significant resistance, the judicial system has emerged as a critical battleground for contesting Trump’s policies. Numerous judges have issued temporary injunctions against various elements of his initiatives, including attempts to end birthright citizenship and granting Musk’s team access to sensitive government information.
Some judges appointed by Republican presidents have also ruled against Trump, prompting him to suggest he might reconsider judiciary appointments. The administration intends to appeal many decisions, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticized the judiciary’s halting of Trump’s initiatives, referring to it as a misuse of legal authority.
Despite these challenges, the administration has also celebrated victories, such as receiving judicial approval to advance a program led by Musk.
The economic outlook worsens
In the face of policy shifts, recent economic indicators have raised concerns within the White House.
Inflation experienced a rise of 0.5% in January, with the annualized consumer price growth over the last three months hitting 4.5%, indicating a potential resurgence of inflation after a period of moderation.
Trump had assured supporters of his capability to mitigate inflation quickly after assuming office, yet Leavitt, while placing blame on former President Joe Biden, acknowledged that the latest inflation figures were “worse than expected.”
Additional economic data indicated troubling signs as January’s retail sales fell by 0.9%, a decrease that could reflect declining consumer confidence and slower growth.
Moreover, reports from the Federal Reserve outlined a 0.1% drop in industrial production, primarily attributable to a 5.2% decline in motor vehicles and parts manufacturing.
These trends, whether temporary or indicative of a larger economic dilemma, heighten the importance of the February data.
The ‘fair trade’ Trump desires may not be perceived as such
Following previous tariffs imposed on China, Trump announced plans for significant new tariffs intended to align with tariffs imposed by other nations.
However, many nations view Trump’s stance as inequitable.
In their view, Trump’s strategy encompasses additional financial measures such as value-added taxes, which could result in much steeper charges than conventional tariffs in Europe.
Adding to this, Trump has signaled intentions to levy new tariffs on automobiles, computer chips, and pharmaceuticals, in addition to the recently announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
It remains unclear if these trade measures function primarily as negotiation tactics or as revenue-generating strategies. Currently, Trump suggests they serve both purposes.
Congress witnesses diminishing authority, yet signs of resistance emerge
The rapid pace of administrative actions has left Congress grappling with an erosion of its constitutional authority, especially regarding fiscal powers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed enthusiasm over Musk’s initiatives, stating that Trump is “taking legitimate executive action.”
Nevertheless, within Republican ranks, there are subtle signs of discontent as letters and calls are made to safeguard the interests of their constituents amidst the dismantling of government services and funding.
Representative Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., advised against blanket deportations of Venezuelan migrants residing in the Miami area. “I’m not powerless. I’m a member of Congress,” he asserted.
Democratic representatives have joined rallies outside closed federal offices, asserting that Trump and Musk have overreached. They have suggested legislative efforts to protect affected programs and have even initiated impeachment proceedings against the president over plans for the Gaza redevelopment.
Trump envisions a new global order
Recently, during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump expressed hope that discussions could signal a turning point in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both leaders agreed to commence negotiations without delay. Following his dialogue with Putin, Trump reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to encourage dialogue between the parties.
This phone call marks a pivotal moment in a war that has resulted in immense loss of life and suffering.
Consequently, navigating the path ahead proves to be quite complex.
Zelenskyy has indicated that he will not engage with Putin until a peace plan is established through Trump’s facilitation. The outlook becomes even more complicated as Trump has faced backlash from European leaders who criticized his statements about the potential for NATO membership for Ukraine.
The White House is further challenged by Zelenskyy’s insistence on security guarantees from the U.S. and allies, coupled with the necessity of an agreement on any peace deal’s fundamentals between himself and Trump.
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
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