As President Trump resumed his high-stakes tactics in early 2025, he made sweeping changes that stirred controversy across the nation. One of his first actions was an executive order on February 18, demanding that independent agencies like the FEC, FCC, SEC, and FTC submit their regulations to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget for review. This move aimed to strengthen his control over these agencies, which had operated independently for decades to maintain the independence of these agencies. He also fired key members of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court.
In addition, Trump granted access to sensitive government payment systems to Elon Musk’s DOGE, leading to scrutiny from over 150 House Democrats. This action raised concerns about ethics and the protection of private data. His administration also froze nearly all federal grants for public health, education, and infrastructure, causing disruption in various sectors. A federal judge ruled against the freeze, but it did not restore the contracts, leaving many programs in limbo. The suspension of student visa records further highlighted the administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. Historically, impeachment attempts have been rare, with only three presidents having been impeached, none of whom were removed from office.
On March 20, 2025, Trump directed the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, shifting authority back to states and localities. This decision disrupted educational programs and increased inequalities in access to resources.
He also deployed federal agents to cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., claiming national emergencies to justify his actions.
Trump’s tactics extended to immigration courts, where he hired hundreds of new judges, resulting in a surge of deportation orders. His administration faced backlash for attempting to end birthright citizenship, a controversial move that many viewed as a direct attack on civil rights.
