Trump Launches Second Term with Mass Firings, Sweeping Orders, and Bold Policy Shifts
Washington, The Gulf Observer: In a dramatic start to his second term, President Donald Trump has announced plans to fire approximately 1,000 opponents within the US government, targeting appointees from the previous administration. The move, described by Trump as a drive to “Make America Great Again,” has already led to the dismissal of four officials, including prominent critics such as retired General Mark Milley and Coast Guard Chief Linda Fagan.
In a midnight post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared his administration was “in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration.”
Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Linda Fagan, the first woman to head the Coast Guard, were among the first to be removed. Both had been appointed or retained under President Joe Biden. Trump’s acting head of the Department of Homeland Security announced Fagan’s dismissal, signaling a wider shakeup across federal agencies.
Bishop’s Rebuke at Inaugural Service
During a customary inaugural service at Washington National Cathedral, Trump faced a rare public reprimand. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde urged the president to show compassion toward immigrants, warning against policies that instill fear.
“I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President,” Budde said, addressing Trump directly as he sat in the front pew. “The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.”
The president’s executive orders on immigration have already suspended asylum-seeker arrivals, expedited deportations of undocumented migrants, and pledged military deployments to the US-Mexico border.
Flurry of Executive Actions
On his first day, Trump signed several sweeping orders, including:
- Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Pardons for hundreds of supporters convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot.
- Trade tariffs on Mexico and Canada as part of his ongoing efforts to revamp trade relations.
Trump also announced intentions to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and to seek control of the Panama Canal, which has been under Panamanian jurisdiction since 1999.
Media and Infrastructure Plans
Newly installed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump would continue his hands-on media approach. “The American people won’t be hearing from me today. They’ll be hearing from the leader of the free world,” Leavitt told Fox News.
Trump hinted at an upcoming “big infrastructure announcement,” but details remain unclear.
Promises of a ‘Golden Age’
In his inaugural address, delivered indoors at the Capitol Rotunda due to inclement weather, Trump painted a stark picture of America’s challenges while promising a “golden age.”
The president also confirmed plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding intrigue to his ambitious and controversial agenda.
As Trump’s second term begins, his aggressive measures signal a presidency determined to reshape America’s domestic and foreign policies, sparking both fierce criticism and staunch support.
