On 20 January 2025, a peaceful transfer of power occurred, with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance as the President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. On day one of this power, President Trump signed an unprecedented quantity of bills: 200. Most of these bills were related to immigration and what is colloquially dubbed “mass deportations.” Some other notable day-one bills established were bills encouraging domestic energy production, especially in Alaska, an “America First” policy, and the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency. Notably, Trump calls his presidency the “Golden Age of America,” which may be a reference to his slogan “Make America Great Again.” The First Lady, Melania Trump, was noted for wearing a black elongated hat during the inauguration.
“Umm.. like a problem… I wouldn’t say it’s a problem, but it’s interesting how he [Trump] has Elon [Musk] and Kevin Rock as his people campaigning.” ~ Zachary Belmont Gerhart (Class of ’25)
During Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk executed a controversial salute very reminiscent of the Fascist salute, a gesture infamous for being used during the Nazi German Regime. Elon Musk performed this gesture twice, stating that “my [Musk’s] heart goes out to all of you.” This gesture was censored by international broadcasts of this event.
Trump notably summarised his administration as a “complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense.” Trump’s day-one bills also focused on federal energy production using domestic means. These bills may improve the United States’ economy and which could indirectly reduce inflation.
“Yeah, I mean gas prices [better improve]. I mean everything has inflation right now.” ~ Giana Gikas (Class of ’25)
With the exception of “The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Global Tax Deal” that Trump signed and the Department of Government Efficiency established, no other of Trump’s day-one bills directly put in place orders with the intent to solve the over-inflation in the economy nor directly provide a solution to reducing the prices of amenities. However, Trump has signed an executive order, imported from the Biden Administration, which will help in “unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resources potential.”
Trump also announced, during the start of his inauguration, that the government will only recognize two genders: Male (M) and Female (F); Non-Binary (X), used for those who are neither female nor male, will be discontinued and unrecognized as a gender on passports and other legal documents. Trump also signed orders on ending many of the DEI policies and replacing them with merit-based assessments.
He [President Trump] has already said that he will push many anti-trans bills and will make things harder for immigrants. ~ Natalia Villafaf (Class of ’25)
Deportation raids in Bakersfield, California, and Chicago, Illinois have already happened. These deportation raids have been criticized for being discriminatory in practice, targeting those who “look” like undocumented immigrants. Many immigrants plan on going underground for their safety following the raids and Trump’s entrance into the presidency.
California is joining the more than a third of the states in the United States that are suing the Trump administration after Trump passed a bill that removes birthright citizenship, a constitutional right protected by the first section of the 14ᵗʰ Amendment. California has also notably sued the Trump administration more than 150 times during Trump’s last term and won approximately two-thirds of their lawsuits.
President Trump has also signed an executive order titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” Two executive orders signed by President Trump have the United States leave the Paris Agreement, an international legal treaty on climate change, as well as leave the World Health Organization.
Gavinor Newson has specifically done an emergency legislative meeting directly after Trump was confirmed as president-elect. During this time, Newsom met to pass legislation that would counter Trump’s projected policies. Newsom and The California Assembly has a bill introduced that would dedicate $25 million for actions that would go against Trump’s projected policies.
Although none of Trump’s day-one bills involved the Palestinian-Israeli conflict nor the Ukrainian-Ruso War, some Americans are hoping that a push for peace will occur during the Trump administration.
“I am hopeful that we will push for lasting peace in Gaza and Palestine, but other than that, nothing else excites me about his presidency.” ~ Natalia Villafaf (Class of ’25)
Just before Trump took office, Palestine and Israel reached a cease-fire deal, with Hamas slowly releasing hostages by the week of each ceasefire. Although this is not the official conclusion of the war, this means that, at least for now, no shots are being fired on both sides. This cease-fire gives Trump a starting point where he could continue to manage the conflict and help bring a resolution.
As mentioned before, the 200 bills that Trump signed were an unprecedented amount of bills, one bill even directed against an endangered fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that prevented South Californian farmers from using nearby water. As Gavinor Newsom has gone on record to state that he will try to “Trump-proof” California, the impact of the bills that Trump has introduced may vary in California.