The First Presidency (2017–2021): Policies, Challenges, and a Transformative Era
Introduction
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 United States presidential election was one of the most unexpected political events in modern American history. Although many polls and political analysts had predicted a victory for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump secured enough Electoral College votes to become the 45th President of the United States.
His inauguration on January 20, 2017, marked the beginning of an administration that would profoundly reshape American politics, government, and international relations. During his first term, Trump enacted major tax reforms, appointed three Supreme Court justices, pursued an “America First” foreign policy, renegotiated trade agreements, tightened immigration enforcement, and oversaw the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His presidency also included two impeachment proceedings, widespread political polarization, and the events surrounding the 2020 election.
This chapter examines Trump’s first presidential term in detail, exploring both the achievements cited by supporters and the criticisms raised by opponents.
The 2016 Presidential Election
Trump announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015, positioning himself as an outsider determined to challenge the political establishment.
His campaign emphasized:
- Stronger border security
- Reduced illegal immigration
- Renegotiation of international trade agreements
- Lower taxes
- Increased domestic manufacturing
- Deregulation
- “America First” foreign policy
- Appointment of conservative judges
His blunt speaking style, extensive use of social media, and large campaign rallies distinguished him from traditional presidential candidates.
Despite skepticism from many political observers, Trump defeated a large field of Republican contenders, including:
- Jeb Bush
- Marco Rubio
- Ted Cruz
- John Kasich
At the Republican National Convention in July 2016, Trump formally accepted the party’s nomination, with Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate.
The general election against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was among the most contentious in modern U.S. history.
On November 8, 2016, Trump won the Electoral College, although Clinton received more votes nationwide. Under the U.S. constitutional system, Electoral College victories determine the presidency.
His victory stunned many political commentators and marked a significant shift in American politics.
The Inauguration
Donald Trump was sworn in as President on January 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
In his inaugural address, he declared:
“The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”
He argued that political and economic power should be returned to ordinary Americans rather than concentrated in Washington institutions.
The speech reflected themes that would characterize his presidency:
- National sovereignty
- Economic nationalism
- Immigration control
- Infrastructure renewal
- Job creation
- Reduced federal regulation
Building the Administration
Trump assembled a cabinet that combined experienced politicians, military leaders, business executives, and conservative policymakers.
Notable appointments included:
- Mike Pence – Vice President
- Rex Tillerson – Secretary of State (later succeeded by Mike Pompeo)
- James Mattis – Secretary of Defense
- Steven Mnuchin – Secretary of the Treasury
- Betsy DeVos – Secretary of Education
- Jeff Sessions – Attorney General (later succeeded by William Barr)
His administration also included a number of advisers from outside traditional political circles, reflecting his preference for unconventional leadership.
Economic Policy
Economic growth was one of Trump’s central priorities.
His administration emphasized:
- Lower taxes
- Reduced regulations
- Energy production
- Domestic manufacturing
- Business investment
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017)
The most significant legislative achievement of Trump’s first year was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The law:
- Reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%
- Lowered individual income tax rates for many taxpayers
- Increased the standard deduction
- Modified deductions and credits
- Encouraged companies to repatriate overseas profits
Supporters argued that the legislation stimulated economic growth, encouraged investment, and increased business confidence.
Critics contended that the largest benefits accrued to corporations and higher-income households and expressed concern about the law’s impact on federal deficits.
Deregulation
Trump directed federal agencies to reduce regulations affecting businesses.
His administration claimed that eliminating unnecessary regulations would:
- Encourage entrepreneurship
- Lower compliance costs
- Increase employment
- Promote energy production
Supporters viewed deregulation as a catalyst for economic expansion.
Critics argued that some regulatory rollbacks weakened environmental protections, workplace safeguards, and consumer oversight.
Employment and Growth
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. economy experienced:
- Low unemployment
- Rising stock market indexes
- Strong consumer confidence
- Continued job growth
Unemployment reached historically low levels for several demographic groups, including African Americans and Hispanics.
Supporters credited Trump’s tax and regulatory policies.
Economists noted that these trends also reflected broader economic expansion that had begun during the previous administration, making the precise contribution of specific policies a subject of ongoing debate.
Trade Policy
Trade policy became one of Trump’s defining issues.
He argued that previous trade agreements had disadvantaged American workers.
China
The administration imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese imports.
China responded with retaliatory tariffs.
The resulting trade dispute affected industries including:
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Technology
Supporters believed tariffs pressured China to address concerns over intellectual property, market access, and trade practices.
Critics argued that tariffs increased costs for businesses and consumers and contributed to uncertainty in global markets.
USMCA
Trump renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The resulting agreement, known as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), updated provisions related to:
- Digital commerce
- Automobile manufacturing
- Labor standards
- Intellectual property
The agreement received bipartisan support in Congress and entered into force in 2020.
Immigration Policy
Immigration was among the most prominent issues of Trump’s presidency.
His administration pursued policies intended to strengthen border enforcement and reduce unauthorized immigration.
Key initiatives included:
- Expansion of border wall construction
- Increased immigration enforcement
- Restrictions on asylum eligibility in certain circumstances
- Efforts to revise legal immigration procedures
- Travel restrictions affecting several countries, which underwent multiple revisions after court challenges
Supporters argued that these measures enhanced national security and upheld immigration laws.
Critics contended that some policies separated families, created humanitarian concerns, or unfairly affected immigrants and refugees.
Immigration remained a defining issue throughout Trump’s presidency.
Judicial Appointments
One of Trump’s most enduring legacies is his impact on the federal judiciary.
He appointed more than 200 federal judges, including three Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court:
- Neil Gorsuch (2017)
- Brett Kavanaugh (2018)
- Amy Coney Barrett (2020)
These appointments shifted the Supreme Court toward a more conservative ideological balance.
Supporters praised the selection of judges who emphasized textualism and originalism in constitutional interpretation.
Critics expressed concern about the long-term implications for issues such as abortion, voting rights, environmental regulation, and executive power.
Foreign Policy
Trump described his foreign policy as “America First.”
He argued that the United States should prioritize its national interests while encouraging allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defense.
North Korea
Trump held unprecedented meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The summits in:
- Singapore (2018)
- Hanoi (2019)
- The Korean Demilitarized Zone (2019)
marked the first direct meetings between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader.
Supporters viewed these meetings as historic diplomatic achievements.
Critics noted that negotiations did not produce a comprehensive agreement on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
Middle East
Trump’s administration brokered the Abraham Accords, leading to normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
Many observers regarded the agreements as a significant diplomatic development in the region.
The administration also:
- Recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
- Moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
- Recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights
These decisions were welcomed by supporters but criticized by others who argued they complicated future peace negotiations.
NATO
Trump frequently urged NATO members to increase defense spending, arguing that the United States bore a disproportionate share of the alliance’s costs.
Many member countries subsequently announced increases in defense expenditures, though analysts differ on the extent to which these changes resulted directly from Trump’s pressure.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020 became the defining challenge of Trump’s presidency.
The administration implemented a range of measures, including:
- Travel restrictions from certain countries
- Public health guidance in coordination with federal agencies
- Economic relief legislation enacted with Congress
- Support for vaccine development through Operation Warp Speed
Operation Warp Speed accelerated the research, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in partnership with private companies and federal agencies. Vaccines became available to the public in late 2020.
Supporters praised the rapid development of vaccines and economic relief efforts.
Critics argued that aspects of the federal response—including public messaging, coordination with state governments, and preparedness—were inconsistent or insufficient.
The pandemic led to:
- Millions of infections in the United States
- Significant loss of life
- Business closures
- Historic unemployment spikes
- Remote education
- Economic disruption worldwide
The crisis dominated the final year of Trump’s first term.
First Impeachment
In 2019, the House of Representatives impeached Trump on charges of:
- Abuse of power
- Obstruction of Congress
The charges stemmed from allegations related to Trump’s interactions with Ukraine and requests for investigations involving political rival Joe Biden and his family.
The Senate conducted a trial in early 2020.
Trump was acquitted on both articles of impeachment.
No president had previously been impeached while seeking re-election.
The 2020 Election
Trump sought a second consecutive term in the 2020 election.
His Democratic opponent was former Vice President Joe Biden.
The campaign unfolded amid:
- The COVID-19 pandemic
- Economic uncertainty
- Nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd
- Expanded mail-in voting in many states
On November 7, 2020, major news organizations projected Biden as the winner.
After states certified their results, Biden secured both the Electoral College and the national popular vote.
Trump disputed the outcome, alleging widespread election fraud.
Numerous lawsuits were filed challenging aspects of the election process.
Courts, including those with judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, rejected or dismissed the vast majority of these claims due to insufficient evidence or legal grounds. State election officials from both parties certified the results.
The January 6 Attack and Second Impeachment
On January 6, 2021, Congress met to certify the Electoral College results.
That day, a crowd of Trump supporters gathered in Washington, D.C., following a rally where Trump repeated his claims that the election had been stolen.
A portion of the crowd breached the U.S. Capitol, disrupting the certification process. The violence resulted in injuries, deaths connected to the events and their aftermath, and significant property damage. Law enforcement eventually secured the Capitol, and Congress resumed the certification that evening.
The House of Representatives impeached Trump a second time, charging him with incitement of insurrection.
In February 2021, the Senate acquitted him, with a majority voting to convict but falling short of the two-thirds majority required for conviction.
Trump became the first U.S. president to be impeached twice.
Leaving Office
Donald Trump’s first term concluded on January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
Trump departed Washington that morning and returned to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Although he left office amid intense political division and ongoing legal scrutiny, he remained a central figure within the Republican Party. His influence over many Republican voters and candidates persisted, setting the stage for a potential political comeback.
Legacy of the First Presidency
Assessments of Trump’s first administration vary widely and often reflect broader political perspectives.
Supporters emphasize:
- Strong pre-pandemic economic performance
- Tax reform
- Deregulation
- Judicial appointments
- The Abraham Accords
- Criminal justice reform through the First Step Act
- Pressure on NATO allies to increase defense spending
Critics point to:
- Heightened political polarization
- Immigration controversies
- Handling of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Efforts to overturn the 2020 election results
- Frequent conflicts with the media and government institutions
- The events surrounding January 6, 2021
Historians continue to evaluate the long-term significance of Trump’s first presidency, recognizing it as one of the most consequential and debated periods in recent American political history.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s first term as President transformed both the office and the nation’s political landscape. He entered the White House as a political outsider and pursued an agenda that challenged long-standing assumptions about trade, immigration, foreign policy, and the role of the federal government. His administration achieved major legislative and judicial milestones, while also generating sustained controversy and intense public debate.
The combination of significant policy initiatives, unprecedented political conflicts, a global pandemic, and two impeachment proceedings made his presidency unlike any in modern American history. By the time he left office in January 2021, Trump had reshaped the Republican Party and remained one of the most influential figures in American politics.
Yet his political story was far from over. Rather than retreating from public life, he continued to dominate national attention, confront multiple legal challenges, and prepare for another presidential campaign.
In Part IV (Final Part), we will explore Trump’s post-presidency, legal proceedings, the 2024 presidential campaign and election, his return to the White House as the 47th President, his second administration, leadership style, business and political legacy, historical significance, comprehensive timeline, notable quotations, and a selected bibliography for further reading.
Leave a Reply