Trump's second term starts with bold agenda and moves

President Donald Trump vows to make America stronger, focusing on conservative policies and international dominance in his second term.

President Donald Trump delivers a speech during the inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

"Nothing will stand in our way."

With these six words, President Donald Trump outlined his intentions for a second term in office, emphasizing his determination to reshape America’s domestic and foreign policies. This address marked a stark shift from the past, as Trump vowed to be a disruptor once again, making clear that his second term would be focused on making America more conservative at home and more imperial abroad.

In a 29-minute inaugural speech that eschewed lofty idealism, Trump instead spoke in an assertive, aggressive tone designed to signal to both domestic and foreign audiences that America under his leadership would no longer be a passive player on the global stage.

Trump’s foreign policy vision was centered on the idea of reclaiming American power and ending an era where the world, according to him, had exploited American generosity. He outlined plans for an "External Revenue Service" that would levy tariffs and taxes on foreign countries to enrich American citizens. Additionally, he made a controversial claim about the Panama Canal, falsely declaring that China controlled the American-built waterway, vowing, "We’re taking it back."

Trump praised former President William McKinley, known for his imperialist policies, including the Spanish-American War and the annexation of territories like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. He even referenced the 1890s concept of "manifest destiny" but with a futuristic twist, suggesting that the United States would extend its reach to Mars, a plan endorsed by tech mogul Elon Musk and his SpaceX initiative.

On the domestic front, Trump wasted no time implementing executive orders designed to solidify his vision of a more conservative America. He moved quickly to shut down the southern border to migrants and hinted at challenging the constitutional principle of birthright citizenship. Additionally, Trump took aim at the environmental policies of the previous administration, once again withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and rolling back restrictions on oil and gas drilling.

Trump’s administration also targeted gender transition care by ending federal funding for such services and signaling a return to more traditional gender classifications on federal forms, allowing individuals to select only "male" or "female." These moves are indicative of Trump’s ongoing efforts to reverse what he views as liberal overreach in government and society.

While these actions echoed the chaos and performative gestures of his first term, Trump’s aides noted that his second term would be marked by a more disciplined approach to governance, with an emphasis on achieving tangible results while maintaining his populist appeal.

Trump also signaled a strong shift in personnel and power dynamics within his administration. His removal of General Mark Milley’s portrait from the Pentagon was seen as a reminder to those in the military and intelligence agencies that the new administration would not tolerate any opposition. Milley had famously stood up to Trump during his first term, particularly in response to Trump’s calls to use the military to quell protests following the death of George Floyd.

At the State Department and FBI, key career officials resigned or turned in their passes, signaling a shift in leadership. Trump has surrounded himself with outsiders like Elon Musk and former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, who have pledged to overhaul the Pentagon and FBI.

Trump’s inaugural speech also underscored his shift in foreign policy priorities. He spoke of a revitalized America that would not focus on maintaining a rules-based international order or nurturing alliances, as many of his predecessors had done. Instead, he envisioned a powerful America that would exert its dominance through economic strength, fear, and, if necessary, military force.

Unlike past presidents, Trump did not call on Americans to sacrifice for the cause of freedom or democracy. Instead, he promised prosperity, strength, and national pride, saying, "We will be prosperous, we will be proud, we will be strong and we will win like never before." His approach, however, was not isolationist. He has long advocated for a more aggressive foreign policy, particularly in relation to China, Iran, and other perceived adversaries.

Trump’s speech also revealed the tension between his desire to expand American influence globally and his simultaneous desire to avoid unnecessary wars. He praised his past efforts to end conflicts and stated that his legacy would be one of peace and unification. Yet, he also proposed making drug cartels “foreign terrorist organizations,” which could allow for military intervention in Mexico.

Despite these mixed messages, Trump remained committed to reducing America’s involvement in foreign conflicts, asserting that his administration’s military success would be measured not only by battles won but by wars avoided.

After his inaugural address, Trump wasted no time focusing on his domestic agenda. At the Capital One Arena, he criticized his predecessor and began signing executive orders that would reshape federal policy. These included a freeze on federal hiring, a rollback of regulations, and a mandate for federal employees to return to the office.

In a move to solidify his stance on national security, Trump also made headlines by pardoning those involved in the January 6th Capitol riots, referring to them as "hostages" and vowing to stop what he described as "stupid things" within the government.

As President Trump embarks on his second term, he has made it clear that his approach will be bold, aggressive, and unapologetically conservative. With a focus on expanding America’s power both at home and abroad, Trump is positioning himself as a leader determined to restore American dominance in all areas of life. His vision, however, has sparked significant debate, both within his own party and across the political spectrum, as he balances national security concerns with the desire for economic growth and military might.

The coming months will be crucial as Trump works to enact his policies, reshape the federal government, and redefine America’s place in the world. Whether his vision will lead to the prosperity and strength he promises or result in increased domestic and international tension remains to be seen.

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