We’ve finally reached the hundredth day of the second presidency of Donald J. Trump, but through all of the chaos, shock, and confusion, I think that America needs a refresher on all of the major events that have happened from inauguration to present. All of the following information on the specific events that occurred each day comes from the New York Times.
A Bombardment of Executive Orders
Day 1 – January 20, 2025
Before we go over the egregious acts that took place even on the first day, we need to talk about the significance of this day in particular because to have the inauguration of such a prejudiced person on this day, makes the acts of our fellow Americans even more unforgivable. In fact, it’s disgusting and a complete dishonor to Martin Luther King, Jr. who went to great lengths to let his voice be heard and make opportunities for African-Americans, which is the exact opposite of what Donald Trump wants to do. Trump’s racism is clearly evident in his actions and Martin Luther King Jr. would be turning over in his grave.
Firstly, Trump renamed the ‘Gulf Of Mexico’ to the ‘Gulf Of America’, then terminated the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, and restored the federal death penalty. He also tried to end birthright citizenship which is a complete violation of the 14th amendment, delayed the federal Tik Tok ban even though it is being accused of taking Americans’ information, and pardoned every single one the violent January 6, insurrectionists. His actions clearly demonstrate that he could care less about equality, and the fact that he wants to reinstate cruel punishments and rewards his subjects for staying loyal to him, are prime examples of a tyrant. And keep in mind that none of these actions were talked about in his campaigns but clearly they were of utmost importance because they were carried out on his first day in office.
Marisa Nelson, a junior at Francis Howell North, explained why the events that took place on Trump’s first day in office did not surprise her.
“None of Trump’s policies enacted on the first day of his administration particularly shocked me, given his political track record and lack of formal education. His immediate focus on undoing the ‘Obama-era’ regulations didn’t feel like genuine policy making and more of a personal vendetta.”
“Authoritarian-style Government”
Day 4-8 – January 23-27, 2025
On day 4, Trump said that California would not get federal aid for their wildfires. On day 5, Trump fired more than a dozen inspectors general which are watch dogs of the government, and this is a violation of the law that requires you to give a 30 days notice before a federal employee is fired. On day 6, he insisted that the U.S. would acquire Greenland. Lastly, on day 8, he moved toward pushing transgender people out of the military. These actions should be alarming for Americans because refusing to help those who share different views from him, getting rid of people who were literally put into place to oversee his actions, trying to acquire more territory for the wrong reasons, and going out his way to purposely exclude people just because they are different from him.
“Trump’s actions on days 4-8 effectively proved that he is indeed trying to pursue an authoritarian-style government within the United States,” Marisa Nelson said. “His ban on transgender people serving within the military targeted a minor group (<1% of the population) purely based on nothing but hatred and bigotry. Being transgender has nothing to do with how effectively you can shoot a gun to defend your country. Also, his firing of government watchdogs signaled his effort to eliminate oversight. Comparatively, these moves reflected a pattern of consolidating power, and showed Trump’s attempts to imbalance the checks and balances within the government.”
Tariffs on the American People
Day 13-15 – February 1-3, 2025
On day 13, there were big shocks to the economy because Trump officially announced tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada, and the economy was only on a downward slope from here. On day 15, he only offered assistance to Ukraine in exchange for rare earth minerals, moved to dismantle USAID, but then decided that the tariffs on Mexico and Canada had to be delayed because it was too much of a shock to the economy. The actions carried out in just these few days are particularly monumental because he is tanking the economy, not to mention upsetting the two countries that surround us, and puts no importance on helping those in need even though America has the capacity to do so.
“‘Tariffs,’ a buzzword of sorts for Republicans presently, will only hurt the American people,” Marisa Nelson said. “By imposing tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, Trump is essentially taxing U.S. consumers and businesses. These countries are major trade partners, and increased costs on goods like food, electronics, and raw materials will lead to higher prices at home.”
Silence of the Press
Day 17-23 – February 5-11, 2025
On day 17, Trump aimed to prevent transgender students from participating in women’s sports. On day 18, he had the gall to claim that CBS should lose its broadcast license. On day 22, he imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. Finally, on day 23, Trump banned an AP reporter from an event at the White House. These efforts illustrate a clear picture of the silence of the press and more specifically those who don’t agree with him.
“Trump’s ongoing efforts to silence the press pose a serious threat to democracy,” Marisa Nelson said. “Free press exists to hold leaders accountable, inform the public, and expose corruption, and these are values that authoritarian regimes typically fear.”
Social Media King
Day 26-31 – February 14-19, 2025
On day 26, Trump accelerated his plans for widespread workforce cuts across multiple federal agencies. On day 27, he announced on social media, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law”. On day 30, he began high level talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine but deliberately did not invite Ukraine. On day 31, he posted “LONG LIVE THE KING” on X with a fake magazine cover of him wearing a crown, issued a guidance that recognized only two sexes, and blamed Zelensky for the war with Russia and called him a “dictator”. It is appalling the lengths he would go to get rid of someone just because they don’t share the same opinions as him or simply just because of the prejudices he holds. He also expresses the ideals of that of a king, confidently, and without consequence on social media, and completely denies the identity of transgender and nonbinary Americans.
A “Threat to Democracy”
Day 34-43 – February 22 – March 3, 2025
On day 34, Trump called MSNBC a “threat to democracy” which is laughable in its own right because it is in fact him who poses a real threat to our democracy. On day 36, he opposed a UN resolution that demanded that Russia withdraw from Ukraine. On day 38, he moved to import eggs because their prices are soaring because of a bird flu that is not being handled correctly. On a side note, Trump promised in his campaigns that he would lower the price of groceries and this was very important to voters, but egg prices are higher than ever before. At least he is consistent in the way that he never keeps his promises.
C. Nelson, an investigator, further explained why Trump is the true “threat to democracy”.
“Trump is a threat to the safety, freedom, civil rights, liberties, of every American, and almost every group has their rights violated.”
On day 40, Trump and other officials met with Zelenksy in the Oval Office were was called disrespectful and ungrateful by JD Vance. The true disrespect lies in those who would berate a man who is trying to pick up the pieces of his country while locked in a deadly war with a dictator. He is also anything but ungrateful. Infact, at every chance he gets, Zelensky expresses gratitude to the US. On day 43, Trump paused all US military aid to Ukraine over the heated exchange he had in the Oval Office with Zelensky.
Misuse of Power
Day 44-51 – March 4-11, 2025
On day 44, Trump threatened to cut the funding of schools that allow “illegal protests” and said that these university protesters would be arrested, imprisoned, deported, or permanently expelled, when it is our constitutional right to gather and voice any problems that we might have with the government. On day 44, he also imposed 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on all imports from China, further plummeting the global economy. However, on day 45, he paused Canadian and Mexican tariffs on cars for a month, which should cause Americans to pause and think about why he did that. On day 46, he used federal marshals to force a federal aid agency to let DOGE employees inside, which is a plain demonstration of power. On day 48, a Palestinian activist at Columbia university was arrested and sent to immigration detention even though they have legal permanent residency, according to the detainee’s lawyer. Secretary of state Marco Rubio also said that they can “revoke the visas or green cards of Hamas supporters.”
On day 50, Trump and his administration strayed from mainstream science and public health ideals in response to the worsening measles outbreak in West Texas. On day 51, he said that the US would resume military aid to Ukraine because they had accepted the 30-day cease-fire deal with Russia, and he also promoted Tesla at the White House which shows that Elon Musk has too much of an involvement in the government.
Government Shutdowns & Public Group Chats
Day 55-64 – March 15-24, 2025
On day 55, the Senate signed a bill that would avoid a literal government shutdown because Democrats and Republicans are so divided that they couldn’t come up with a consensus on what the budget should be. He also invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 in order to remove unauthorized immigrants with little due process. To know the significance of this action you have to know the history behind it. This act has only been used three times in all of US history and for good reason. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 allows the president to target and apprend individuals based solely on their citizenship or country of origin, without a hearing or individualized suspicion of wrongdoing. This act takes rights away from people and can easily be abused, prejudice comes easily to place here. And in the few times that it has been used we have acknowledged that it was wrong that we should not use this act again. A judge even ordered his administration to stop deporting Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act as well, but then he refused to comply with it, and then denied that he did.
“I think that Trump unnecessarily abuses his power and we got so close to a government shutdown due to his bullying tactics, the people inside the government and out are afraid of what he might do,” C. Nelson said. They are afraid of the repressions, of him retaliating if they don’t do what he wants them to do, it’s either his way or no way. Even though we were a democracy, he tries to lead with more of a dictatorship hand.”
On day 56, he announced that his administration has sent hundreds of people accused of being Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. On day 60, he signed an executive order that aimed at eliminating the department of education so that he can control what is taught to children. On day 64, he asked the supreme court to block a ruling from a federal judge that ordered his administration to rehire the thousands of federal workers that they fired. Additionally, on day 64, he declined to provide a federal judge with details about the deportation flights to El Salvador, and his administration disclosed war plans in a group chat that a journalist was mistakenly added to.
“I think that the leaking of sensitive war information in group chat was a blatant threat to the safety and security of this nation, group chats will always be in the cloud, they will never be erased,” C. Nelson said. “They put the country at risk and should be punished for their actions.”
“Administrative Error”
Day 65-93 – March 25 – April 22, 2025
On day 65, Trump called for proof of citizenship when voting. On day 66, he announced 25% tariffs on imported cars and their parts. On day 71, he admitted that the US deported a legal immigrant because of an “administrative error” but made no moves to return him back to the US. That immigrant’s autistic son is scarred for life because of an “administrative error.” His family barely knows if he’s dead or alive because of an “administrative error.” He was abducted and taken to another country, and subjected to horrendous conditions in a prison because of an “administrative error.”
On day 73, Trump unveiled expansive global tariffs in a White House ceremony and this only escalated a possible trade war and sent shockwaves through the economy. On day 87, he said he planned to appeal a federal judge’s threat to open contempt proceedings over the Trump administration’s continued deportation flights to El Salvador. On day 89, he announced that the US would abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine if the talks did not achieve progress within the next several days. On day 92, our defense secretary leaked sensitive information about military operations in a second signal group chat. On day 93, Musk announced that he is going to spend less time in Washington after Tesla’s profit dropped 71%.
50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
Day 100 – April 29, 2025
On day 100, Trump banned senior American diplomats from attending events for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. We already know that Trump has no respect for veterans or the military but this war in particular still remains prominent in America’s hearts today. This war is an important part of our history and has left a lasting impact on America, so the fact that this history could be denied is an absolute travesty, we all deserve the right to reminisce, remember those we’ve lost, and reflect on our past actions. And so far in all the events that have taken place in just the first 100 days, Trump has made it obvious through his actions that he is no leader.
