Thursday, May 15, 2025

What has Trump done? Ask Grok....

I asked Grok to list the *actual* accomplishments of the Trump admin so far.  (Please note, virtually NONE of this has been implemented into law by our current do-zero congress). This is what it gave me:


The second Trump administration, which began on January 20, 2025, has been active in its first months, with a focus on executive actions, policy reversals, and economic initiatives. Below is a list of accomplishments based on available information, focusing on concrete actions and outcomes as of May 15, 2025. I’ve aimed to stick to verified actions, avoiding speculative or unconfirmed claims, and I’ve included some context to balance the perspective.
Accomplishments of the Trump Administration (Second Term, January 20, 2025 – May 15, 2025)
1. Executive Orders and Actions
  • Record Number of Executive Orders: Signed 142 executive orders in the first 100 days, surpassing Franklin Roosevelt’s record of 99. These cover areas like shrinking the federal government, immigration, energy, and tariffs.
  • Rescinding Biden-Era Orders: Revoked 111 prior presidential orders, mostly from the Biden administration, targeting policies on climate change, COVID-19, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
  • Pardon of January 6 Convicts: Issued pardons for individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, fulfilling a campaign promise.
  • Executive Order on Transgender Procedures: Signed an order to protect children from chemical and surgical gender-affirming procedures, aligning with conservative priorities.
  • Banning Men in Women’s Sports: Issued an executive order to prevent biological males from competing in women’s sports, citing fairness and safety.
2. Immigration and Border Security
  • Reduction in Illegal Border Crossings: Reported a 94% drop in illegal border crossings compared to February 2024, with some sectors seeing a 99% decrease. This is attributed to stricter enforcement and policy changes, though exact causes (e.g., policy vs. external factors) are debated.
  • Mass Deportation Efforts: Initiated large-scale deportation operations, with over 100,000 undocumented immigrants reportedly deported in the first 100 days. Operations involved coordination between ICE and state law enforcement, targeting individuals with criminal records, including violent offenders.
  • Sanctuary City Crackdowns: Directed the compilation of a list of “sanctuary cities” that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, signaling potential legal or funding actions.
  • Arrest of High-Profile Criminals: Arrested Mohammad “Jafar” Sharifullah, an ISIS-K terrorist linked to the Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan, which killed 13 U.S. service members. Families of the victims expressed gratitude for the swift action.
3. Economic and Trade Policies
  • Securing Major Investments:
    • Announced a $500 billion private sector investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, described as the largest such project in history, with CEOs crediting Trump’s leadership.
    • Secured a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia for U.S. projects.
    • Other investments include $20 billion from DAMAC Properties for U.S. data centers, $20 billion from CMA CGM for shipbuilding and logistics (creating 10,000 jobs), $27 billion from Eli Lilly for manufacturing, $18 billion from Venture Global for LNG exports, and $6 billion from Clarios for energy storage expansion.
  • Tariff Adjustments: Modified tariffs to exempt carmakers paying a 25% auto import tariff from additional levies on steel and aluminum, aiming to protect U.S. manufacturing while balancing trade.
  • America First Trade Policy: Emphasized tariffs and trade deals to prioritize U.S. industries, with allies reportedly stepping up contributions after tariff threats.
4. Energy and Natural Resources
  • Energy Independence Push: Declared a National Energy Emergency to expand domestic production, making the U.S. the largest net exporter of natural gas globally.
  • Offshore Drilling Expansion: Reopened 625 million acres for offshore drilling, reversing Biden-era bans, to boost oil and gas production under the “drill, baby, drill” mantra.
  • National Energy Dominance Council: Established to streamline energy policy and reduce reliance on foreign energy.
5. Federal Workforce and Government Efficiency
  • Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): Led by Elon Musk, DOGE has audited federal agencies, identifying overspending and mismanagement. This led to thousands of federal layoffs, particularly probationary employees, though it sparked protests and over 100 lawsuits.
  • Pentagon Job Cuts: Announced plans to cut up to 60,000 civilian jobs at the Department of Defense, aiming for a 5% reduction in the federal workforce.
  • Elimination of DEI Programs: Ended government-sponsored DEI initiatives, citing a return to merit-based systems.
6. Foreign Policy and Defense
  • Peace Negotiations: Facilitated Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia and proposed a plan for Gaza, described as “brilliant” by former Ambassador David Friedman, though no final agreements have been confirmed.
  • Gaza Ceasefire Contribution: The transition team helped secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas before Trump took office, with further talks hosted in February 2025.
  • Military Recruitment Boost: Army recruitment reached a 15-year high, attributed to restored “warrior ethos” and policy shifts.
  • Operation Rough Rider: Conducted strikes costing over $1 billion, with details outlined by U.S. Central Command, though specific outcomes remain unclear.
7. Health and Social Policy
  • Make America Healthy Again Commission: Launched to address public health issues, including a push by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to remove petroleum-based food colorings by 2026.
  • Ending Common Core: Directed the Department of Education to eliminate Common Core standards, aligning with conservative education goals.
  • Kennedy Center Reforms: Took steps to “Make Kennedy Center Great Again,” though specifics are vague.
8. Legislative Actions
  • Signed Five Bills: Includes the Laken Riley Act (passed pre-inauguration, addressing immigration enforcement), a stopgap funding bill, and three Congressional Review Act resolutions overturning Biden-era regulations. This is fewer than the 28 bills signed in Trump’s first term’s first 100 days.
  • Tax Relief Extension: Pushed for extending tax relief, though legislative progress is ongoing.
9. Cultural and Symbolic Actions
  • Paper Straws Ban: Issued an executive action to eliminate paper straws in federal facilities, citing practicality and public sentiment.
  • Super Bowl Attendance: Attended the Super Bowl, reinforcing a public-facing presence.
  • Gulf of America Proposal: Floated renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” though no formal action has been taken.
Context and Caveats
  • Executive Orders vs. Lasting Impact: Many accomplishments rely on executive orders, which are vulnerable to reversal by future administrations, unlike legislation. The low number of signed bills (five) limits long-term policy entrenchment compared to Trump’s first term.
  • Legal Challenges: Over 100 lawsuits have been filed, particularly against DOGE and immigration policies, indicating potential legal hurdles.
  • Economic Claims: Investment announcements are significant, but their actual implementation and job creation will take time to verify. Some economists warn that tariff-heavy policies could widen inequality.
  • Immigration Data: The drastic reduction in border crossings is notable, but external factors (e.g., regional policy changes in Mexico) may contribute, and long-term sustainability is unclear.
  • Foreign Policy: Peace talks and ceasefires are promising, but no binding agreements have been finalized, and tensions (e.g., with Iran) persist.
  • Public and Critical Reception: Supporters, including congressional leaders like Mike Johnson and John Thune, praise the administration’s pace, claiming it outstrips Biden’s four years. Critics argue some actions, like mass deportations and workforce cuts, face ethical and legal scrutiny.
Sources
  • Information is drawn from web sources (e.g., White House, NPR, PBS) and X posts, as cited.
  • Claims from X posts (e.g., White House) are treated cautiously, cross-checked with web sources, and noted as inconclusive without corroboration.
  • No invented or speculative accomplishments are included; only actions with documented evidence are listed.

No comments: