By Sama Marwan,
The American news agency Associated Press (AP) shed light on the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, stating that he did not fulfill all the promises made during his election campaign.
According to the agency, the weeks following Trump’s return to office were marked by intense activity aimed at showing Americans that his administration is relentlessly working to fulfill his promises.
With a cooperative, Republican-controlled Congress, Trump had the freedom to begin reshaping the federal government and overturning foreign policy.
As Trump reached his 100th day in office on Tuesday, his imprint could be seen everywhere — though the long-term effects often remain unclear.
The agency noted that some of the Republican president’s executive orders were merely statements of intent or steps toward goals yet to be achieved. For example, on his first day, he declared an energy emergency to boost production, but said results shouldn’t be expected until next year, when he urged voters to anticipate a significant drop in utility bills.
Trump’s goals sometimes contradict each other. He pledged to lower the cost of living while also imposing tariffs on foreign goods — a move likely to increase prices. Other issues remain unresolved.
One major concern is whether Trump has increased his approval legally. Some of his actions have led to lawsuits, which means much of what he has done could be overturned as legal cases develop.
Promises to Lower Prices
Inflation in the U.S. has fallen from its peak of 9.1% in 2022, reaching 3% in January — the month Trump took office — and 2.4% in March. Trump boasted, “We’ve already solved the inflation problem.” However, the Federal Reserve warned that his tariff plans would likely raise prices by taxing foreign imports.
Moreover, it is unlikely that Trump will be able to “pay off all our debt.” His tax-cutting plans would reduce the revenues needed to cover the nation’s bills. Notably, Trump made a similar promise in 2016, but public debt ballooned during his first term.
Tough Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
Trump made clear progress on his famous pledge to secure the borders. The number of people attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border sharply declined from a high of 249,740 in December 2023 under President Joe Biden to 47,324 in December 2024. Under Trump, the numbers dropped further to just 8,346 in February and 7,181 in March.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s deportation record will match Biden’s strong numbers from last year, as updated figures have yet to be released.
Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is arresting large numbers of people across the country. Many individuals — who claim innocence — have been deported without due process. One pending case is that of Kilmar Abrigo Garcia, who was deported to a Salvadoran prison despite having no criminal record and no hearing to determine whether he was part of a gang, as the administration claimed.
