by , and
Released on March 4, 2025
When President Donald Trump addressed the US Congress on Tuesday, he explains his swift efforts to fulfill his campaign promises to make Americans safer and more wealthy.
In numbers, Trump was very busy. He signed more than 70 executive orders in about six weeks. But many of his policies regarding immigration, tariffs, consumer prices, LGBTQ rights and government workforce reductions are not transactions made.
Trump took the first step with about 20 promises, but obstacles, including legal challenges, could hinder his goals. In five cases, he has clearly maintained his promise, including pledging to forgive the Capitol mob on January 6, 2021 and revive the military’s transgender ban.
His promise to end birthright citizenship is suspended after judicial intervention. He broke his promise to end the Russian-Ukraine war on his first day at the White House, well before the tense oval office meeting between him, his deputy JD Vance and Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky.
So far, few publicly published statistics shed light on Trump’s handling of the economy. This could be shaped by widespread tariffs and federal layoffs and contract cancellations in February. Available signals are mixed. Between Trump’s January 20th inauguration and March 3rd, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 3.3%, with the S&P 500 lower than November 6th, the year after the election.
Consumer confidence has bleaked and Trump’s economic approval rates have fallen, but it’s ahead of the majority of President Joe Biden’s term.
Here’s an overview of Trump’s progress on some of his key campaign promises:
The biggest deportation operation in history
What Trump said (February 20): “We have launched the largest deportation operation in American history.
The scene: Trump is taking steps to increase deportation, including securing agreements with multiple countries, including Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Those from countries that otherwise would not accept US deportation flights would be released to the US.
Due to limited domestic detention space, Trump also sent immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, a Cuban naval base best known as a high-security prison for foreign “terrorist” suspects following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. So far, there is no published data showing the number of people deported during Trump’s first month.
Rescising federal initiatives on diversity, equity and inclusion
What Trump said (February 22nd): “I have ended all of the so-called diversity equity and inclusion programs across the federal government and across the private sector, and have notified all government DEI officers that their work has been removed. They are gone. They will be fired.”
There: Trump has signed an executive order on January 20th, ending all federal mandates, policies and programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and ending all federal mandates, policies and programs that trigger court battles. US District Judge Adam Abelson on February 21, deemed the administration “stock-related” and called ambiguous for the termination of federal grants or contract contracts by the order. Trump sued. On February 26, the New York Times reported that at least 428 DEI workers had been on leave.
Customs
What Trump said (February 27): “We’re going to get so much back in our country, and what brings us there is tariffs.”
On the ground: 10% tariffs on China and expansion of existing tariffs on steel and aluminum are already underway. Starting March 4th, a new wave of tariffs came into effect. China’s tariffs have increased to 20%, with Mexico and Canada aiming for a 25% tariff. Trump said 27 European Union tariffs are planned “soon.” He also ordered top officials to develop a plan for “mutual” tariffs that could be attacked by all US trading partners.
Babies and citizenship
What Trump said (February 22): “I signed an order to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens, as it wasn’t for these children.”
Where it stands: This promise is a carryover from Trump’s first term and stagnates. Several judges blocked the implementation of Trump’s first day executive order in February, blocking the declaration that future children of future people around the country would not automatically receive US citizenship.
Government efficiency
What Trump said (February 26): “One of the most important initiatives was Doge, and we’ve cut billions and billions of dollars.
The scene: Trump signed an executive order on the first day to create efficiency for the government known as Doge. Elon Musk is the driving force behind Doge, who attracted controversy and court agenda. The “receipt wall” on Doge’s website exaggerates that savings.
Save Tiktok
What Trump said (February 19): “It’s great to keep Tiktok alive and sell it to someone who does a great job.”
The scene: On his first day in office, Trump delayed the ban on Tiktok. This was due to come into effect in January under the bipartisan 2024 law, unless the US owner took over ownership from the app’s Chinese parent company, Baitedan. Trump’s 75-day suspension said the Attorney General should not enforce the law, and Trump tapped Vance and national security adviser Michael Waltz to oversee the potential sale of Tiktock.
Prohibits transwomen from participating in women’s sports
What Trump said (February 5): “From now on, women’s sports are for women only.”
The scene: Trump has signed a February 5 executive order instructing the Secretary of Education to update regulations prohibiting transgender girls from participating in women’s sports. Trump’s order faces lawsuits and there has yet to be a formal change to the Title IX regulations banning gender-based discrimination in federally funded schools. 25 states already have laws prohibiting transgender athletes from joining sports teams that are in line with gender identity. The NCAA said it plans to comply with Trump’s orders.