100 Days In: Assessing President Trump's Actions In Light Of Project 2025's Framework

Henrik Larsen

6 min read

Post on May 27, 2025

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Economic Policies: Comparing Trump's Actions to Project 2025's Proposals

Project 2025 advocated for significant tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate economic growth. Let's examine how President Trump's early actions aligned with this vision.

Tax Cuts and Deregulation:

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017): While not enacted within the first 100 days, the groundwork for this significant tax cut legislation was laid during this period. Project 2025 called for substantial reductions in corporate and individual tax rates, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act largely delivered on this promise, reducing the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. This aligned directly with Project 2025's goal of boosting business investment and job creation.
• Regulatory Rollbacks: The Trump administration initiated a review of numerous regulations, aiming to reduce the burden on businesses. Project 2025 identified specific regulations deemed harmful to economic growth, and the early actions reflected an effort to dismantle these, although the full impact took longer than 100 days to manifest.
• Impact: The immediate economic effects were debated, with some arguing that the tax cuts fueled economic growth while others pointed to increased national debt. The long-term consequences of both tax cuts and deregulation remain a subject of ongoing analysis and discussion within the context of Project 2025's objectives.

Trade and International Relations:

Project 2025 emphasized renegotiating unfavorable trade deals and adopting a more protectionist approach.

• Renegotiation of NAFTA: The process of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), eventually resulting in the USMCA, began within the first 100 days. This aligned with Project 2025's call for fairer trade deals that better protect American interests.
• Imposition of Tariffs: The Trump administration implemented tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, a move consistent with Project 2025's protectionist stance. This triggered trade disputes with several countries, highlighting the complexities of implementing such policies within a globalized economy.
• Impact: These actions significantly altered the US's relationship with key trading partners, leading to both economic benefits (for certain industries) and negative consequences (increased prices for consumers and retaliatory tariffs). The alignment with Project 2025's vision is evident, but the full economic impact is still being assessed.

Social and Cultural Policies: Evaluating Alignment with Project 2025

Project 2025 contained specific recommendations on social and cultural issues. Let's analyze how Trump's actions in his first 100 days reflected these goals.

Immigration and Border Security:

• Travel Ban: The controversial travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries was a prominent early action. While aligning with a stricter immigration stance advocated by some within Project 2025's framework, it sparked significant legal challenges and public protests.
• Increased Border Security: The administration initiated efforts to enhance border security, including increasing border patrol agents and constructing a wall along the US-Mexico border. This directly addressed Project 2025's focus on stronger border control.
• Impact: The impact on immigration levels and border security was complex and multifaceted, with both supporters and critics offering conflicting data and interpretations, even within the context of Project 2025's intended outcomes.

Social Issues:

• Appointments: The appointment of conservative judges, reflecting the Project 2025 agenda on social issues such as abortion and religious freedom, began during the first 100 days, albeit at a slower pace than some anticipated.
• Executive Orders: Early executive orders hinted at a shift in policy regarding abortion access, though concrete legislative changes took longer to materialize.
• Impact: The impact on social policy during the first 100 days was largely symbolic, setting the stage for more significant changes in the following years, while remaining consistent with the overarching goals laid out in Project 2025.

Judicial Appointments and the Legacy of Project 2025

Project 2025 emphasized the importance of appointing conservative judges to federal courts.

Supreme Court and Federal Judges:

• Neil Gorsuch Nomination: The nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, though not confirmed within the first 100 days, was a significant step in fulfilling Project 2025's judicial goals. His conservative ideology aligned with the project's aim to reshape the judiciary.
• Lower Court Appointments: The administration also began appointing conservative judges to lower federal courts, laying the groundwork for a long-term shift in judicial interpretation.
• Impact: These appointments began to reshape the federal judiciary, setting the stage for future rulings that could significantly impact the legal landscape and potentially reflect Project 2025's conservative legal principles.

Challenges and Obstacles Faced During Implementation

Implementing Project 2025's ambitious agenda faced several obstacles.

Congressional Opposition and Public Opinion:

• Legislative Gridlock: The Republican-controlled Congress did not always support the administration's proposals, leading to legislative gridlock on certain issues.
• Public Backlash: Several of Trump's early actions, such as the travel ban and the imposition of tariffs, sparked significant public backlash and protests, affecting the success of the administration's initiatives.
• Impact: The political climate and public reaction significantly impacted the feasibility and speed of implementing Project 2025's proposals within the first 100 days.

Conclusion: A 100-Day Assessment and the Future of Project 2025's Influence

President Trump's first 100 days in office saw a significant effort to implement key elements of the Project 2025 agenda, particularly in the areas of tax cuts, deregulation, and judicial appointments. However, the pace and success of this implementation were hampered by congressional opposition and widespread public debate. The analysis reveals a clear attempt to align presidential actions with the long-term goals of Project 2025, although the degree of success varied across policy areas. The long-term impact of these early actions remains a subject of ongoing debate and further research. To gain a deeper understanding of "Assessing President Trump's Actions in Light of Project 2025's Framework," continue researching the implementation of Project 2025's policies and their enduring effects on the American political landscape. Explore reputable academic journals and political analysis websites for further insights into this significant period in American history.