It’s Jan 20, 2026, and we’re marking one year since former president Donald Trump’s return to the White House—aka “Trump 2.0.” Over the past 12 months, his second term has been all about flexing executive muscle, shaking up the system at home and turning heads abroad. Here’s the lowdown on the biggest moves so far:
1. Federal workforce cuts 💼
Back in Feb 2025, Trump rolled out an executive order giving federal staff eight months of pay to leave voluntarily. By the end of September, about 154,000 people had said “peace out” to government gigs. The goal? Strip out what he calls “inefficiencies” in the so-called “deep state.” But the mass exit from experienced civil servants sent ripples nationwide: by Oct 2025, U.S. companies announced over 150,000 layoffs as business confidence wobbled under policy uncertainty. Critics warn that losing so much institutional know-how could weaken governance and politicize public services.
2. Immigration shake-up 🌐
Immigration took center stage in 2025 under the “America First” banner. The administration expanded travel bans, tightened H-1B visa rules (that’s the popular work visa for tech and other pros), pulled back Temporary Protected Status for various groups, moved to curb DACA, and even floated changes to birthright citizenship. Border checks got tougher and asylum paths narrowed—moves cheered by MAGA supporters but slammed by opponents for due-process concerns. Legal battles are still playing out in the courts, and social feeds are buzzing with debates from #TeamTrump2 to #ProtectDreamers.
Whether you see these moves as game-changers or cause for concern, one thing’s clear: Trump 2.0 isn’t playing it safe. 🚀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
