Reuters
Trump’s Second-Term Promises: What He’s Done So Far on Immigration, Trade, DEI and More
Washington | December 28, 2025
By Vagabond News Desk
As President Donald Trump approaches the end of his first full year in a second presidential term, his administration has moved decisively on many campaign promises — especially in areas of immigration policy, trade, and federal workplace culture. The following outlines key action points, progress claims, and controversies tied to his agenda.
Immigration: Enforcement and Structural Shifts
Immigration has been one of the most active fronts in President Donald Trump’s second term.
Officials point to expanded deportations and border control measures as central achievements. The administration reported hundreds of thousands of deportations in 2025 as part of a broader crackdown on undocumented migration, with officials pledging to intensify these efforts in 2026. Reuters+1
Recent policy moves include a significant increase in financial incentives — now up to $3,000 — designed to encourage undocumented migrants to voluntarily “self-deport,” coupled with technology upgrades to streamline processing. Reuters
In addition, immigration enforcement policy revisions have paused adjudication of certain visa and immigration benefit applications from several countries, tightened vetting procedures, adjusted work-authorization rules, and overhauled the H-1B visa lottery system in favor of a wage-based prioritisation model. TIME
Critics argue that some of these measures strain family unity, slow legal immigration pathways, and risk humanitarian concerns, but the administration frames them as necessary to protect national security and uphold border integrity.
Trade and Economic Policy: Tariffs and Regulatory Revision
President Donald Trump has doubled down on his characteristic trade posture, including renewed reliance on tariffs to protect U.S. producers and rebalance international commerce.
The administration’s economic narrative links tougher trade stances with domestic job protection and “America First” industrial policy. Senior aides highlight tariff adjustments and renegotiations of trade agreements as fulfillment of campaign pledges, stressing benefits for U.S. farmers and manufacturers.
At the regulatory level, the White House has issued directives designed to reduce the burden of federal rules, mandating agencies repeal existing regulations whenever issuing new ones. This deregulatory emphasis seeks to lower costs for businesses and is presented as a complement to trade policy. The Regulatory Review
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Executive Action and Institutional Change
On the cultural front, the administration has taken controversial steps to dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
An early executive order directed the termination of DEI and related initiatives across federal departments, removing dedicated positions and prohibiting certain affirmative-action and diversity-related practices. Additional directives rescinded long-standing policies that required federal contractors to conduct affirmative-action programming, replacing them with “merit-based” hiring directives. Wikipedia+1
The administration characterises these actions as efforts to eliminate what it calls “wasteful” and “politically divisive” government practices. Opponents contend that ending DEI programs undermines civil rights enforcement and workplace equity.
Broader Agenda: Executive Orders, Reversals, and Legal Pushback
Since January 2025, the White House has issued a substantial number of executive orders that touch a range of priorities, from immigration enforcement to regulatory rollback and federal agency restructuring. Ballotpedia
Some actions have encountered legal challenges. Federal courts have blocked portions of the administration’s immigration and DEI policies, creating uncertainty about full implementation and prompting ongoing litigation. The Guardian
Supporters argue that the scale of executive action reflects a strong mandate and urgency to reshape the federal government and U.S. policy direction. Critics see overreach and express concern about accountability and checks and balances.
Looking Forward
With the 2026 midterm elections looming, President Donald Trump’s push on immigration, trade, workplace culture reform, and deregulation is set to remain central to Republican messaging — and Democratic opposition. How these policies resonate with voters and withstand legal scrutiny will shape the political landscape into the next election cycle.
Tags: President Donald Trump, second term, immigration policy, trade, DEI, executive orders, U.S. politics, deregulation, visa reform
