Donald Trump's Key Policies During His Presidency (2017–2021)
1. Immigration and Border Control
One of Trump’s central campaign promises was to strengthen the U.S. southern border. As president, he prioritized strict immigration enforcement:
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Construction of additional barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border was a major focus.
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The administration enacted tougher asylum rules and reduced refugee admission
The travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations sparked international debate and legal challenges.
Family separation at the border, though later reversed, became one of the most controversial outcomes of his immigration stance.
2. Economic Policy and Trade
Trump’s economic vision was heavily based on the idea of “America First.”
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He signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, which lowered corporate tax rates and altered personal income tax brackets.
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Trump imposed tariffs on China, Canada, the EU, and others, sparking trade tensions aimed at protecting American industries.
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He renegotiated trade agreements, replacing NAFTA with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
3. Foreign Affairs and Global Relations
Trump altered traditional U.S. foreign policy by favoring bilateral over multilateral agreements.
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He withdrew the U.S. from several international commitments, including the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal.
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His administration focused on reducing American military involvement abroad.
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Trump held unprecedented meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, although no lasting nuclear agreement was achieved.
4. Healthcare Policy
While Trump pledged to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a complete repeal did not occur.
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His administration did remove the ACA's individual mandate penalty, which required Americans to have health insurance or pay a fine.
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Trump supported the expansion of short-term health insurance plans as an alternative to ACA coverage.
5. COVID-19 Pandemic Response
The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 became one of the defining moments of Trump’s presidency.
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His administration launched Operation Warp Speed, which played a key role in accelerating vaccine development.
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However, Trump was criticized for inconsistent messaging, downplaying the virus early on, and clashing with public health experts.
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Federal guidance on lockdowns, testing, and mask use varied, with much responsibility left to state governments.
6. Environmental and Energy Policies
Trump rolled back many environmental regulations with the intention of boosting economic growth.
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He supported increased fossil fuel production and opened up federal lands to oil and gas exploration.
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His administration weakened rules on emissions and clean air/water standards.
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Trump’s decision to exit the Paris Agreement signaled a clear shift from global climate cooperation.
7. Judicial Appointments
Trump left a lasting mark on the federal judiciary.
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He successfully appointed three Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—shifting the court to a conservative majority.
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Over 200 federal judges were confirmed during his term, affecting the judicial system for decades to come.
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