Donald J. Trump is an American businessman and Republican politician who returned to the presidency on January 20, 2025, serving with Vice President J.D. Vance. He previously served as president from 2017 to 2021 and is known for populist domestic and trade policies, deregulation efforts, and conservative judicial appointments.
Trump's presidencies reshaped the federal judiciary through multiple Supreme Court appointments and advanced a deregulatory, tax-cutting agenda that supporters credit with stimulating economic growth and shifting federal policy priorities. His administration pursued an assertive trade policy, tightened immigration enforcement, and enacted criminal‑justice reform and other legislative and executive measures that altered Washington's policy landscape.
At the same time, Trump's tenure was highly polarizing, marked by two impeachments and contentious relations with traditional allies and institutions; critics argue his style and rhetoric increased political polarization and weakened norms. His electoral comeback and continued influence have reshaped the Republican Party and American political discourse, leaving a contested but lasting imprint on governance and civic life.
Elected president in 2016 (served 2017–2021) and again in 2024, inaugurated 2025; Appointed three Supreme Court justices, shifting the judiciary rightward; Enacted the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and pursued broad deregulation; Implemented tariffs and a confrontational trade policy toward China; Withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal; Oversaw passage of the First Step Act and faced two impeachments
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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The Republican-controlled House passed emergency legislation aimed at authorizing executive-branch enforcement priorities for deportations while courts adjudicate the injunction.
DHS released a memorandum directing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border agencies on procedures and priorities for enforcing the president's deportation-priorities order while litigation was pending.
The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel released a written opinion concluding the administration's deportation-priorities order falls within executive authority over immigration enforcement.
A federal appeals court granted a temporary administrative stay allowing limited enforcement of the administration's deportation-priorities order while it considers the government's emergency appeal.
President Trump gave a televised Oval Office address defending his administration's deportation-priorities order and urging courts and Congress to uphold it.
The Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal challenging the federal judge's injunction that blocked enforcement of the administration's deportation‑priorities executive order.
The Justice Department filed an emergency motion asking an appeals court to stay the district court's injunction pending resolution of the appeal.
A U.S. district court granted a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the administration from implementing its April 2 executive order tightening deportation priorities.
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Defense following the administration's April nomination.
The Senate Armed Services Committee conducted a confirmation hearing for the President's recently announced nominee for Secretary of Defense.
The Commerce Department placed several Chinese companies tied to EV battery production on the Entity List, restricting U.S. exports of sensitive technologies to those firms.
President Trump nominated a new Secretary of Defense to fill a vacancy at the Pentagon, sending the nomination to the Senate for confirmation hearings.