Donald J. Trump’s presidency, from January 2017 to January 2021, was marked by significant policy changes across various sectors. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key policies he implemented during his term.
1. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)
One of the most significant legislative achievements of Trump’s presidency was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law in December 2017. The TCJA was a comprehensive tax reform bill that:
Reduced Corporate Tax Rate: The corporate tax rate was cut from 35% to 21%, aiming to boost economic growth and make U.S. businesses more competitive globally.
Lowered Individual Income Tax Rates: The act reduced tax rates for most income brackets and nearly doubled the standard deduction.
Doubled the Estate Tax Exemption: The exemption for estate tax was doubled, reducing the number of estates subject to the tax.
Changed the Taxation of International Income: It moved the U.S. towards a territorial tax system, reducing taxes on income earned by American companies abroad.
2. Deregulation Efforts
Trump made deregulation a cornerstone of his administration, with the goal of reducing the regulatory burden on businesses. Key efforts included:
The “Two-Out, One-In” Rule: For every new regulation introduced, two existing regulations had to be eliminated.
Rollback of Environmental Regulations: The administration rolled back numerous Obama-era environmental regulations, including the Clean Power Plan, aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants.
Healthcare Regulations: Efforts were made to reduce regulations on healthcare providers and insurers, including the removal of the individual mandate penalty under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
3. Immigration Policies
Trump’s administration implemented several controversial immigration policies:
Travel Ban: An executive order issued in 2017 restricted travel from several predominantly Muslim countries. This policy underwent several legal challenges and revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Border Wall: Trump prioritized the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. While funding and construction faced obstacles, significant portions of the wall were completed.
Zero Tolerance Policy: This policy led to the separation of families at the border, where adults were prosecuted for illegal entry, and children were placed in separate custody. The policy faced significant backlash and was eventually reversed.
4. Foreign Policy and Trade
Trump’s foreign policy and trade measures aimed to prioritize American interests:
Withdrawal from International Agreements: The Trump administration withdrew from several international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal.
Tariffs and Trade Wars: Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and on a wide range of Chinese goods, leading to a trade war with China. The administration argued that these measures were necessary to protect American industries and reduce the trade deficit.
USMCA: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), aiming to modernize trade rules and increase labor and environmental standards.
5. Criminal Justice Reform
Trump signed the First Step Act into law in December 2018, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that:
Reduced Sentences for Nonviolent Offenders: The act aimed to reduce sentences for nonviolent offenders, particularly those convicted of drug offenses.
Improved Prison Conditions: It included measures to improve prison conditions and rehabilitation programs.
Encouraged Early Release: The law provided mechanisms for inmates to earn early release through good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs.
6. Healthcare Policies
While the Trump administration failed to repeal and replace the ACA, it made significant changes to healthcare policy:
Individual Mandate Penalty: The penalty for not having health insurance, a key provision of the ACA, was reduced to $0.
Short-Term Health Plans: The administration expanded the availability of short-term health insurance plans, which are typically less comprehensive and less expensive than ACA-compliant plans.
Prescription Drug Prices: Efforts were made to lower prescription drug prices, including allowing states to import drugs from Canada and tying the cost of certain Medicare drugs to prices in other countries.
7. Energy and Environmental Policies
Trump’s energy policies focused on promoting fossil fuels and reducing regulations:
Energy Independence: The administration prioritized making the U.S. energy independent by increasing domestic oil, gas, and coal production.
ANWR Drilling: The Trump administration opened up parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil and gas drilling.
Rollback of Emissions Standards: It rolled back fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, which had been set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Judicial Appointments
Trump had a significant impact on the federal judiciary, including:
Supreme Court Justices: He appointed three Supreme Court justices – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett – shifting the balance of the Court towards a conservative majority.
Federal Judges: Over 200 federal judges were appointed during his term, many of whom were young and expected to serve for decades.
9. Economic Policies
Trump’s economic policies aimed at stimulating growth and reducing unemployment:
Job Growth and Unemployment: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. saw low unemployment rates and job growth, particularly in manufacturing and energy sectors.
COVID-19 Response: The administration implemented several relief measures, including the CARES Act, which provided economic relief to businesses and individuals during the pandemic.
10. Education Policies
Trump’s education policies focused on school choice and reducing federal involvement in education:
School Choice: The administration supported expanding charter schools and voucher programs, which allow public funding for private and religious schools.
Title IX Changes: Changes to Title IX regulations altered how colleges handle sexual misconduct cases, giving more protections to those accused of misconduct.
Trump’s presidency brought about significant policy changes that have had lasting impacts on the United States. From tax reform to immigration, and from deregulation to foreign policy, his administration sought to reshape the nation according to his vision of “America First.” Whether one views these changes as beneficial or detrimental often depends on political perspective, but their influence on the country’s direction is undeniable.