After taking office as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017, Donald Trump made several notable declarations and implemented key initiatives that aligned with his campaign promises. Here are some significant actions and declarations he made:
1. "America First" Policy
Trump emphasized the "America First" doctrine, prioritizing U.S. interests in trade, immigration, and foreign policy. This principle guided his administration's decisions on international agreements, alliances, and economic policies.
2. Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
One of Trump's first actions was signing an executive order to withdraw the United States from the TPP trade agreement, fulfilling his campaign pledge to prioritize bilateral trade deals over multilateral ones.
3. Immigration Reform and Travel Ban
Trump declared the need for stricter immigration controls. He signed Executive Order 13769, known as the "travel ban," which temporarily restricted entry into the U.S. from several predominantly Muslim countries, citing national security concerns.
4. Tax Reform
Trump declared his intent to overhaul the tax system. This led to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, which lowered corporate tax rates and restructured individual income tax brackets.
5. Deregulation Agenda
Trump pledged to reduce regulations to boost economic growth. He signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to eliminate two regulations for every new one introduced, emphasizing his administration's focus on reducing government intervention in business.
6. Border Wall and Immigration Enforcement
Trump declared his commitment to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Although the wall was not fully completed, his administration prioritized its construction and increased funding for border security.
7. Repealing and Replacing Obamacare
Trump declared his intent to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. While his administration was unsuccessful in fully repealing the ACA, it eliminated the individual mandate penalty, a key component of the law.
8. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, stating that it was unfair to American businesses and workers. This move reflected his administration's skepticism about climate change policies that he believed hindered economic growth.
9. Declaring a Strong Stance on Trade
Trump declared his dissatisfaction with existing trade agreements, such as NAFTA. His administration renegotiated NAFTA, resulting in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which came into effect in 2020.
10. Focus on the Military and Veterans
Trump declared his support for the military and veterans, signing legislation to increase defense spending and improve the Department of Veterans Affairs. He emphasized strengthening the U.S. military and ensuring better care for veterans.
These declarations and actions reflected Trump's priorities during his presidency, focusing on economic growth, national security, and reshaping U.S. policies both domestically and internationally.