His term of office was from January 20, 2017, through January 20, 2021. Unfortunately, over the past four years, the administration used this platform to implement conservative policies. These changes deeply shaped every facet of American life and polity. Vice President Mike Pence served alongside Trump, contributing to the administration’s agenda.
Another one of the mainstays of the Trump administration was all of the attention paid to tax reform. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — passed in December 2017 — was one of those rare accomplishments. This monumental piece of legislation was designed to cut taxes for working Americans and businesses, spur economic growth, and create a simpler tax code. The administration touted these reforms as essential for invigorating the U.S. economy, which saw a series of stock market gains during this time.
Besides those tax reforms, the Trump administration pursued a hardline agenda on immigration. The administration’s policies aimed to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border, with initiatives including increased funding for border security and efforts to curb illegal immigration. Supporters and critics weighed in on these measures. With their nationally coordinated actions, they sparked national debates on the need for humane immigration policy and human rights.
The Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a major pressure point throughout its four-year term. Critics argued that the administration’s response was inadequate and disorganized, leading to a substantial loss of life and economic disruption. Supporters seized on the swift creation and distribution of Operation Warp Speed vaccines as a bright spot.
The relationship between the Trump administration and the press was marked by frequent discord. The president himself attacked newspapers and reporters on a regular basis, calling them “fake news.” This adversarial dynamic fueled a broader environment of polarization in American political discourse and threatened press freedom.
In its four-year term, the Trump administration was characterized by many well-known scandals. Investigators found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. They, too, opened impeachment proceedings centering on a charge of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. These rallies, marches, and violent uprisings filled news cycles, interjecting divisive rhetoric into the early pandemic tainted American political landscape.
The policies that the Trump administration put into place reshaped the U.S. economy in permanent ways. Supporters credit the administration’s deregulatory push and tax cuts as the key drivers behind this growth. Yet, critics have long reasoned that these policies largely went to support the wealthier Americans and corporate elites.
Trump’s personal views consistently influenced his administration’s policy decisions. This finding has resulted in a unique and at times hyper-personal style of governance that put his thoughts and whims above conventional political practice.