It already feels like he’s been back for months.
Donald Trump has hit the ground running in his second term, moving at a breakneck pace to fulfill campaign promises, wield unchecked power, and settle scores. After the comparatively calm Biden years, the return of a presidency that operates as a relentless sensory onslaught underscores why millions of Americans view Trump as a transformative, historic figure—and why millions more deeply fear him.
In just two days, Trump has taken sweeping actions: cracking down on immigration, announcing a flashy $500 billion tech investment, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, dismantling much of the federal government’s diversity policies, exploring a sale of TikTok, firing individuals via social media, hinting at territorial expansion, and threatening a trade war. He’s spoken to reporters more than Biden did in months, revived the art of public spectacle by dancing with a sword, and made waves with controversial decisions.
He has also flouted the rule of law by pardoning January 6 rioters, repeated lies about the 2020 election, retaliated against critics by revoking security for an ex-aide under threat from Iran, criticized a bishop, undermined ethics in government, stigmatized transgender Americans, and authorized ICE to make arrests in schools and churches.
And this is just the beginning.
Trump has notched early success, but the real tests lie ahead
Trump’s rapid pace is no accident. The sheer volume of events leaves little room to process the significance of any single moment. Trivial distractions and groundbreaking policies swirl together in the chaos, with Trump orchestrating it all, amplifying the commotion whenever he craves attention.
For his supporters, this flurry of activity creates the impression of constant victories and fulfilled promises. While most people don’t monitor politics around the clock, the stories and imagery Trump generates filter through social media, talk radio, and local news, replenishing his political capital. Even when he’s merely trolling the media or Democrats, his base—eager to disrupt and defy the establishment—sees it as mission accomplished.
For his opponents, the relentless pace makes it difficult to focus outrage on any one issue. Criticism becomes scattered, and Trump often evades accountability. Meanwhile, conservative media celebrates nightly compilations of liberal reactions to his provocations, solidifying his support among admirers.
Most presidencies begin with a burst of activity, but the focus is typically on the first 100 days, not the first 100 hours. Trump’s early rollout has been successful, but this is the easy part. Looming domestic and international crises will test his leadership, a domain where he has previously struggled. While signing executive orders is straightforward—though many already face legal challenges—true, lasting change requires passing legislation.
The challenges ahead became clear on Tuesday during Trump’s meeting with top Republican congressional leaders. There is still no agreement on whether to advance his agenda through one sweeping bill or multiple smaller measures. With a razor-thin GOP majority in the House, neither path guarantees success.
Despite the uncertainty, Trump’s first two days have already revealed key trends about his presidency’s direction.
More organized this time
The flurry of executive actions suggests a far more disciplined and professional White House operation compared to Trump’s chaotic first term. Much of this change is attributed to new White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who brought structure to Trump’s campaign while managing—if not entirely reining in—his unpredictable and sometimes self-sabotaging tendencies. Perhaps she can replicate that balance in the West Wing.
Unlike his early days in office the first time around, Trump now appears more focused and clear on his goals, as well as the methods to achieve them. His buoyant mood, bolstered by the adulation of his second inauguration, seems to be sustaining him for now, undampened by the political obstacles that are sure to come.
The hardline push on immigration
Trump made a revealing statement on Monday during a speech to supporters about last year’s election.
“They all said inflation was the number one issue. I said I disagree. I think people coming into our country from prisons and from mental institutions (is the issue) for the people that I know. And I made it my number one,” Trump said. (There’s no evidence to support his claims about prisons and institutions, but his political point still holds.) He continued: “I talked about inflation too. But you know, how many times can you say an apple has doubled in cost? I’d say it, and I’d hit it hard, but then I go back to the fact that we don’t want criminals coming into our country.”
Trump is doubling down on that belief with an aggressive series of executive actions designed to lay the groundwork for his mass deportation program. He’s declared a national emergency that could authorize military deployment to the border. In a dramatic move on Tuesday, he revoked protections for churches and schools, making them vulnerable to ICE arrests. Additionally, he’s restricted legal migration by shutting down a border app meant to streamline entry processes.
If Trump’s goal is to foster a climate of fear, it seems to be taking effect. “ICE officers are back to doing their job,” said Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash. Homan warned that deportation efforts could escalate quickly if cities fail to cooperate in tracking fugitive criminals. “We will find him, but when we find him, he may be with others. Others that don’t have a criminal conviction but are in the country illegally will be arrested too because we’re not going to strike.”
Immigration remains a powerful rallying issue for Trump’s base, but prioritizing it comes with risks. Rising costs for groceries and housing—issues he promised to address during his campaign—are particularly significant to swing voters. While Trump doesn’t have to run for office again, he must maintain his coalition to prevent major GOP losses in next year’s midterm elections.
Ignoring legal process
One of the greatest fears among Trump’s opponents was that, if he regained power—especially after portraying himself as a victim of persecution—he would wield the law as a personal tool. That fear is already becoming reality as Trump aggressively exercises his pardon power.
The president unapologetically defended granting clemency to over 1,000 January 6 rioters, including those convicted of assaulting police officers. “Murderers today are not even charged. You have murderers that aren’t charged all over,” he said Tuesday, dismissing questions about the pardons with a deflective critique of the justice system.
Trump also attacked Biden for issuing preemptive pardons to family members, accusing his predecessor of setting a dangerous precedent. This has fueled concerns among Democrats that Trump will exploit Biden’s controversial move to further expand his own authority. Unlike Biden, however, Trump faced the media directly to justify his actions.
Later that same day, Trump announced another controversial pardon—this time for Ross William Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace. Once described by the Department of Justice as “the most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the Internet,” Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence. Trump framed the pardon as a gesture to the Libertarian movement that had backed him during the election, signaling his willingness to reward political allies.
In just two days, Trump’s expansive use of the pardon power has heightened fears that he is operating above the law and signaling to his supporters that political loyalty could bring legal advantages.
Trump is looking for deals everywhere
One of the most striking developments since Trump’s return to office has been his repeated public overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to strike a deal to end the war in Ukraine. On Monday, Trump noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared ready for talks. When asked on Tuesday if he would impose new sanctions on Putin if negotiations stalled, Trump replied, “Sounds likely.” While there’s no certainty that Putin is prepared to end the conflict, Trump’s efforts to create leverage suggest that a call between the two leaders could happen soon.
Meanwhile, Trump has held off on imposing the tariffs he previously promised against China, hinting on Monday that he’s using the threat as a bargaining chip ahead of a possible visit to Beijing. On Tuesday, he escalated tensions with the European Union by raising the prospect of a new trade war, which may serve as either a genuine move or another negotiating tactic. “They treat us very, very badly. So they’re going to be in for tariffs,” he said.
Capping off another whirlwind day in the new Trump White House, the president addressed questions about the future of TikTok, which he has been pressuring China to sell. When asked if he’d support tech billionaire Elon Musk—who already has significant government-related conflicts of interest—buying the app, Trump replied, “I would be if he wanted to buy it.”