Trump’s Second Term: A Conservative Review of the First 100 Days

The First 100 Days—A Conservative Lens

The first 100 days of any presidency provide a vital checkpoint—a moment for the American people, and especially Conservatives, to assess the trajectory of leadership, policy, and constitutional adherence. For President Donald J. Trump, returning to office in 2025 amidst a deeply divided nation, this period has been closely watched by supporters and critics alike. For Conservatives, it marks the opportunity to see promises translated into action, with fidelity to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the founding principles of our Republic.

We will provide a thorough, honest, and unapologetically Conservative review of President Trump’s first 100 days in his second term. It will critically assess legislative moves, Executive Orders, judicial priorities, economic initiatives, foreign affairs, immigration enforcement, and cultural issues through the lens of limited government, individual liberty, free markets, national sovereignty, and traditional values.

While there is much for Conservatives to commend, particularly in Trump’s aggressive dismantling of Biden-era regulatory bloat, renewed border control policies, and unapologetic defense of national interests, there are also valid concerns. At times, rhetoric has outpaced results. Trade and economic policies occasionally lean toward protectionism rather than free-market clarity. And the internal dynamics of executive leadership remain volatile.

We invite you here at The Southern Elephant to explore this analysis not as cheerleaders nor adversaries, but as principled Conservatives who understand that praise and criticism are both necessary when measured against the enduring values that safeguard liberty. Let us walk through these 100 days—boldly, honestly, and with the Republic’s best interests in mind.

Legislative Achievements and Congressional Engagement

President Trump entered his second term with a Republican-controlled House and a narrowly divided Senate. The first 100 days offered a prime window for swift legislative action—and in many respects, the administration capitalized on that opportunity. Chief among the legislative achievements was the passage of the America First Budget Resolution, which cut over $3 trillion in projected discretionary spending over the next decade, increased military funding, and allocated funds to revive border wall construction. While it received near-universal Republican support in the House, the Senate version still faces hurdles due to procedural and bipartisan negotiation demands.

Trump also signed the National Energy Independence Act into law, lifting regulatory barriers on oil, gas, and nuclear projects. This act aligns well with Conservative principles of energy autonomy, deregulation, and restoring American competitiveness, especially in light of the inflationary pressures of the prior administration.

The administration reintroduced and passed tax credits for working families and small businesses, reflecting a pro-growth agenda. However, there are lingering concerns among fiscal Conservatives about the lack of simultaneous spending reform to offset revenue loss, a strategy reminiscent of the Bush-era tax cuts that ballooned deficits without addressing entitlement reform.

One legislative setback was the failure to fully repeal remnants of the Biden Administration’s climate mandates. Though defunded via Executive Order, the absence of a permanent legislative fix leaves future policy vulnerable to reversal by the next administration.

From a Conservative standpoint, the biggest victories here are structural: returning power to the states, slashing bureaucratic overreach, and reasserting Congressional authority over spending. Yet, the Trump Administration must be cautious not to sacrifice long-term fiscal discipline in pursuit of short-term political wins. Conservatism demands not just boldness, but restraint.

Executive Orders and Administrative Strategy

Within his first week back in the Oval Office, President Trump issued a flurry of Executive Orders, fulfilling several campaign promises and signaling a dramatic break from the regulatory overgrowth of the Biden era. Among the most significant were orders halting all DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) mandates in federal agencies, terminating federal funding for programs promoting radical gender ideology, and reinstating Trump-era immigration enforcement policies, including the “Remain in Mexico” provision.

From a Conservative perspective, these executive actions were long overdue. They realigned federal priorities with Constitutional principles—putting individual merit above group identity, restoring due process in federal hiring, and eliminating taxpayer support for cultural engineering projects rooted in Leftist ideology. These moves earned strong approval from the Conservative base and helped reinvigorate trust in the Executive Branch as a defender of traditional values.

However, some Conservatives raised concerns over the sheer volume and speed of these actions. Executive power—when unrestrained—can be a double-edged sword. While it’s tempting to cheer aggressive use of authority when it aligns with our agenda, the long-term health of the Republic depends on legislative solutions, not unilateral mandates. In this regard, the Trump Administration must be reminded of the dangers of centralizing power, even for Conservative ends.

One controversial Executive Order imposed steep tariffs on Chinese and European steel, in the name of protecting American manufacturing. While rhetorically appealing to Nationalism, this policy echoes past Protectionist mistakes that contradict the free-market ideals that undergird true Conservatism. Tariffs may offer temporary relief for some industries, but they often lead to increased costs, retaliatory trade barriers, and long-term stagnation.

Additionally, Trump restructured the Office of Management and Budget to emphasize zero-based budgeting—a major Conservative win. This signals a return to accountability in federal spending, aiming to justify every dollar, every year, rather than building on bloated baselines.

The bottom line? The President has wielded executive authority to roll back harmful policies and set a more principled tone for governance. But if Trump truly wants to restore Constitutional order, he must transition from governing by order to governing by persuasion, lawmaking, and Federalism. It is only through this balance of bold action and deference to institutional processes that enduring Conservative reform can take root.

Economic Policy: Growth or Gamble?

Trump’s economic policy in his second term has been a mixed bag—marked by aggressive stimulus in certain sectors, bold deregulation, and yet, questionable interventions that have sparked intramural Conservative debates.

On the plus side, Trump has doubled down on slashing red tape. His Executive Order eliminating two federal regulations for every new one issued has already saved businesses millions in compliance costs. The SEC has loosened restrictions on small business capital formation, a win for innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the expansion of Opportunity Zones into new rural and industrial regions aligns with a Conservative commitment to local growth and upward mobility.

Another bright spot has been the renewed focus on energy independence. Permitting fast tracks for oil and gas exploration in federal lands and reopening the Keystone XL pipeline revived investor confidence in American energy—and dealt a blow to Green absolutism.

However, economic protectionism has clouded these gains. The new wave of tariffs, dubbed part of the “America First Trade Restoration,” targets foreign electronics, autos, and steel. While popular in Rust Belt regions, these measures contradict the essence of free trade and risk igniting retaliatory tariffs that could shrink global markets for American exports. Historical lessons from the Smoot-Hawley Act to Reagan’s cautious tariff moderation reveal that such moves can devastate employment and competitiveness in the long run.

Worse, these tariffs risk propping up uncompetitive domestic firms that will rely on government protection rather than innovation. This violates one of the pillars of Conservatism: creative destruction and market-driven success.

Additionally, Trump has signaled openness to a new round of tax cuts without tying them to spending reductions. While tax relief is laudable, unfunded cuts risk ballooning the national debt—undermining future prosperity and Conservative fiscal credibility.

Inflation has cooled somewhat, thanks in part to energy and food cost stabilization. However, Trump’s economic team must remain vigilant against easy-money temptations. Interest rates remain volatile, and any sign of monetary laxity could reignite price instability.

In short, the early economic policy direction is promising—but not without contradictions. If Trump sticks to deregulation, energy dominance, and fiscal discipline, prosperity can flourish. But if he continues to flirt with Protectionism and deficit spending, he risks undermining the very Conservative principles that fueled his return to power.

Immigration and Border Security

Few issues have defined Trump’s political identity more than immigration—and in his first 100 days of the second term, the President returned to this cornerstone with force and clarity.

By Executive Order and policy memorandum, Trump reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, resumed construction on unfinished sections of the border wall, and directed the Department of Homeland Security to begin large-scale deportations of illegal immigrants with criminal convictions. These moves, though decried by Progressives, were cheered by Conservatives as a long-overdue restoration of national sovereignty and lawful order.

More consequentially, Trump initiated a full audit of asylum claims and refugee admissions, with the goal of rooting out fraud and tightening standards. This policy aims to ensure that America continues to be a refuge for the persecuted, not a destination for economic opportunism disguised as asylum.

In a significant legislative push, Trump also called on Congress to pass mandatory E-Verify laws for all employers—a Conservative policy priority for years. This would disincentivize illegal immigration by targeting the employment magnet that draws many across the border unlawfully.

However, concerns remain. Detention centers are overwhelmed, and while Trump has authorized the military to assist in logistics and border surveillance, Conservatives must be cautious about setting precedents for domestic military involvement in civil affairs. Furthermore, questions linger over funding sources and the long-term sustainability of border infrastructure.

What’s clear is that Trump has re-prioritized immigration enforcement in alignment with Conservative values: rule of law, secure borders, and protection of American workers. Yet, we must also advocate for legislative permanence rather than relying solely on executive action. True immigration reform must come through Congress, ensuring its durability regardless of the party in power.

Cultural and Social Policy

In the culture war battles of 2025, Trump has waded back into the fray with unmistakable boldness. From targeting radical gender ideology in public schools to reversing federal funding for DEI programs, his administration has made fighting wokeness a central feature of its second-term agenda.

Trump signed an Executive Order banning gender-transition surgeries for minors at federally funded hospitals and requiring all federal education grants to exclude CRT (Critical Race Theory) curriculum or materials. These decisions were celebrated across Conservative America as tangible pushback against the erosion of traditional morality and parental rights.

Additionally, the Department of Education announced the creation of a “Patriotic Curriculum Initiative,” meant to emphasize U.S. history, the Constitution, and Western civilization in public schools. While critics accused the initiative of political indoctrination, Conservatives rightly viewed it as a countermeasure to decades of Progressive narrative dominance in the classroom.

In the realm of religious liberty, Trump restored protections for faith-based adoption agencies and reversed Biden-era rules that had forced many religious charities out of operation. These steps reflect a commitment to the First Amendment and Conservative moral philosophy—where religious conscience is respected rather than coerced.

Still, some of Trump’s rhetoric has continued to concern principled Conservatives. Aggressive name-calling, mocking opponents, and personal vendettas—even when aimed at the left—can cheapen our movement. Policy victories are vital, but tone and temperament matter too. If we are to win the culture war enduringly, we must elevate the debate, not merely dominate it with volume.

Foreign Policy and National Defense

On foreign policy, Trump’s “America First” doctrine remains intact, though its execution has taken on a more measured tone. In his first 100 days, he withdrew American financial support for the Paris Climate Accord and UN Human Rights Council—both consistent with Conservative skepticism toward Globalist bureaucracy.

More importantly, he strengthened military ties with key allies, including a reaffirmed NATO commitment (with increased burden-sharing demands) and renewed arms deals with Taiwan and Israel. These moves reinforced America’s strength without defaulting to endless entanglements.

Trump also increased sanctions on Iranian proxies in Yemen and Lebanon following attacks on U.S. installations, signaling that he will not tolerate terrorism against American interests. Yet he has so far avoided escalating conflicts, preferring a deterrence model over direct confrontation.

Critics argue that the administration lacks a clear doctrine beyond “America First,” but from a Conservative standpoint, restraint paired with strength is preferable to Liberal interventionism or ideological nation-building. Trump seems to understand that preserving American sovereignty abroad must be paired with prudence at home.

Still, Conservatives must remain vigilant. Defense spending must stay robust but efficient. And while multilateralism is not an end unto itself, dismissing all alliances outright would be a strategic mistake. America leads best when it leads by strength and moral clarity, not isolation or inconsistency.

Justice, Accountability, and the Administrative State

One of the early victories in Trump’s second term has been his renewed war on the administrative state. By Executive Order, he directed all federal agencies to publish a plan to reduce their staff size by 15% over the next two years. This aligns with the Conservative desire to shrink unelected bureaucracy and restore decision-making closer to the people.

Trump’s Attorney General selections have reflected a strong rule-of-law orientation, with emphasis on Constitutional limits and accountability. Under new leadership, the Department of Justice reopened investigations into federal overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially related to the CDC and NIH’s actions during lockdowns and mandates.

A highly polarizing move came when Trump issued mass pardons for individuals charged or convicted in connection to the January 6th Capitol incident. From a Conservative viewpoint, the issue is complex: while equal justice demands we reject political prosecutions, it also requires that we uphold law and order without whitewashing unlawful violence. Some cases—such as non-violent trespassers prosecuted as terrorists—deserved clemency. Others warrant scrutiny. Conservatives must uphold principle over partisanship.

Trump’s rhetoric around “going after” political enemies continues to raise red flags. True Conservatism demands that justice be applied evenly, not wielded as a weapon. This principle must be guarded even when our side holds the reins of power.

Lastly, some of Trump’s pushes to increase presidential authority over independent agencies raise Constitutional alarms. To restore the Republic, we must reduce—not expand—executive overreach, even under a friendly administration.

Conclusion: A Conservative Course Correction?

Trump’s first 100 days of his second term have been a whirlwind of action—some of it bold and principled, some of it concerning and inconsistent with true Conservative values.

He has achieved major victories: dismantling harmful DEI initiatives, reaffirming border security, reigniting energy independence, and reasserting America’s place on the world stage. These are accomplishments any Conservative should applaud.

Yet he has also embraced tariff-heavy trade policies, over-relied on Executive Orders, and occasionally strayed from the tone and Constitutional restraint that defines principled Conservatism. These missteps must be corrected if his administration hopes to build lasting reform rather than temporary triumphs.

The Southern Elephant will continue to hold this administration accountable—not because we oppose President Trump, but because we cherish the Conservative ideals that must endure long after any one man leaves office. We believe in liberty, free enterprise, limited government, traditional values, national strength, and Constitutional order.

As Trump continues his second term, we urge him to listen to the Conservative movement—not merely the loudest voices, but the wisest ones. Govern with conviction, yes—but also with clarity, discipline, and fidelity to the Republic.

Let this next phase of American history be not just about undoing the left’s damage, but about building a foundation so sound that no future Progressive wave can wash it away. That, friends, is the true mission of Conservatism—and the real test of Trump’s second term.