Trump 2.0: The Most Controversial Policies of His Second Term (2025)

President Donald Trump’s return to office in 2025 has been marked by a whirlwind of executive actions, global economic shifts, and civil liberty debates. While his supporters view these moves as “America First 2.0”, critics warn they’ve sparked division at home and tension abroad. Here’s a closer look at some of his most talked-about policies—backed by sources and a timeline.

1. Tariff Shock: The “Reciprocal Trade Order”

April 2, 2025
Trump launched a new “Reciprocal Tariff Regime”, placing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, and country-specific duties as high as 54% on China, 50% on India and Brazil, 35% on Canada, and more.
While aimed at pressuring trade partners to “deal fairly”, the move shook global markets and triggered retaliatory tariffs from countries like China.

2. Border Security Expansion

January 2025
One of Trump’s first actions was to restart construction of the U.S.–Mexico border wall and direct ICE to resume mass deportation operations. Critics say this led to the detention of thousands, including DACA recipients.
The initiative was formalized in Executive Order 14159.

3. Elimination of DEI Programs

January 2025
Trump signed orders to defund and dismantle Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) programs across all federal departments. The move triggered lawsuits like National Urban League v. Trump, arguing it violates free speech and civil rights.

4. Massive IG Firings

January 24, 2025
In an unprecedented sweep, Trump fired 17 Inspectors General overseeing agencies from the DOJ to HHS—sparking concerns about checks and balances.

5. Travel Ban Reinstated

June 2025
Trump reissued a travel ban affecting citizens from over a dozen countries. Civil rights organizations have challenged it as discriminatory.

6. Rescinding Protections for Immigrants

May 2025
The administration revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, affecting over 300,000 individuals. The Supreme Court declined to block the move.

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7. Reasserting the Hyde Amendment

January 2025
Via Executive Order 14182, Trump reinstated the Hyde Amendment, banning federal funds for abortion services and undoing Biden-era access expansions.

Trump’s second term has shifted U.S. policy sharply toward nationalism and economic protectionism. Whether these policies will survive legal and political backlash remains to be seen—but they’ve already reshaped America’s position at home and abroad.