In just one year, President Trump has rolled out a flurry of executive actions that have reshaped immigration, the economy, and federal policy, according to data released by the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.
Immigration and the Border
Trump’s campaign promise of the “largest deportation in the history of our country” was delivered in a 2024 rally, where he said, “We’re going to have the largest deportation in the history of our country.” The Department of Homeland Security reported that since January 20, the administration has deported more than 605,000 people and that 1.9 million individuals have voluntarily self-deported. Border crossings have fallen dramatically; Customs and Border Patrol data show fewer than 12,000 enforcement encounters in September, compared with roughly 96,000 last December during the final year of the Biden administration.
Trump has also tightened entry rules. The refugee cap was set to the lowest level ever, allowing just 7,500 refugees in 2024 versus the 125,000 cap under Biden. A travel ban affecting dozens of countries remains in place, and asylum-seeker eligibility has been narrowed. Legal challenges have slowed some deportation efforts, most notably the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a notorious prison in El Salvador, which has led to multiple judicial rebukes.
Economy and Prices
Inflation was a central issue in the 2024 election. While Trump declared in a prime-time address that “inflation is stopped,” the November inflation report shows that food prices rose 2.6% annually, meat, fish, poultry and eggs together increased 4.7%, and energy prices climbed 4.2%. The economy, however, grew at a 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter.
The White House highlighted gasoline as a bright spot, noting that a AAA gas-price tracker recorded the average cost of a regular gallon at $2.85 on December 24, roughly 20 cents lower than a year earlier. Trump dismissed affordability concerns as a “hoax” and said, “We inherited a mess, now prices are coming way down,” Monday.
War in Ukraine
Trump repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine within a day of taking office. He told reporters Monday, “We solved all these wars. The only one I haven’t solved yet is Russia-Ukraine.” Despite meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin-once in February at the White House and again in August in Alaska-no concrete resolution has emerged. U.S. negotiators continue to discuss a potential deal, but all parties must agree.
Tax Cuts and Labor
In July, Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extending the 2017 tax cuts that were set to expire at the end of 2025. Budget experts warn the law could add trillions to the national debt. The act also allows workers earning below a certain threshold to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tipped wages per year through 2028, and up to $12,500 in overtime compensation for eligible employees.
Jan. 6 Pardons
Trump’s first day in office saw the granting of roughly 1,500 full, unconditional pardons to defendants charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Of the 1,583 total defendants, about 600 were accused of assaulting, resisting or impeding police, and ten were convicted of sedition.
IVF and Reproductive Health
The administration issued guidance in August allowing employers to offer in-vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage as part of company insurance plans. An agreement with EMD Serono also stipulates that certain fertility drugs, including Gonal-F, cannot be sold to Americans for more than the highest price overseas.
Transgender Rights and DEI
Trump’s 2024 platform included a pledge to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports and dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In February, he signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in girls and women’s sports and another order declaring the federal government recognizes only two sexes, male and female. The Pentagon reinstated a ban on transgender troops, and the Department of Health and Human Services moved to withhold Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals and doctors performing gender-affirming care on minors.
The Office of Personnel Management, in January, ordered the head of every federal department and agency to terminate all DEI offices within 60 days. Trump has also pressured corporations and universities to end DEI practices or risk losing federal funding.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s first year saw a record number of deportations, a steep drop in border crossings, and the lowest refugee cap ever.
- Inflation remains elevated in food, meat, and energy, though gasoline prices have eased.
- The administration extended 2017 tax cuts, added new deductions for tipped and overtime wages, and pardoned most Jan. 6 defendants.
- The war in Ukraine remains unresolved despite presidential talks.
- New guidance and agreements aim to make IVF more accessible, while transgender rights and DEI initiatives face significant federal restrictions.
The year has been marked by bold policy shifts that align closely with Trump’s campaign promises, reshaping immigration, the economy, and federal workplace standards.
