As we have closed the books on 2025, Conservatives have much to celebrate—and some hard truths to confront. This was a year of genuine achievements: historic border security, Supreme Court victories, regulatory reform, and a president unafraid to challenge the administrative state. But it was also a year that tested whether our movement would remain true to its principles of law and order, constitutional governance, and fiscal responsibility—or sacrifice them for political expedience.
Ronald Reagan taught us that Conservatism without principle is just tribalism. As we review the major political stories of 2025, The Southern Elephant will celebrate victories earned through Conservative principles while honestly acknowledging where actions fell short of our ideals. That’s not weakness—it’s integrity.
Trump’s Return and Day One Decisions
On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, completing one of history’s most remarkable political comebacks. Within hours, the President signed dozens of executive orders reversing Biden-era policies, from DEI mandates that divided Americans by race to environmental regulations that crushed energy production.
The Cabinet: Trump assembled an impressive team designed to challenge establishment thinking. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—all confirmed by September. These weren’t Washington insiders content to manage decline; they were reformers committed to fundamental change.
The January 6 Pardons: A Difficult Issue for Conservatives: On his first day, President Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 January 6 defendants and commuted sentences for 14 others, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and Proud Boys members. This decision deserves honest Conservative scrutiny, not blind partisan cheerleading.
Many January 6 defendants were treated unfairly by Biden’s Justice Department. Peaceful protesters who simply walked through open Capitol doors after police moved barriers, those who committed minor trespassing, defendants subjected to excessive pre-trial detention or disproportionate sentences—these Americans deserved mercy. The two-tier justice system that threw the book at January 6 defendants while ignoring some violent rioters from 2020’s summer of destruction was a disgrace.
However, as Conservatives who believe in law and order—not just when it’s politically convenient—we cannot support blanket pardons for everyone. Some January 6 defendants attacked police officers. Some vandalized government property. Some engaged in violence that went far beyond exercising First Amendment rights. True Conservatism means upholding the rule of law even when uncomfortable, even when those breaking the law share our political views.
We can simultaneously believe that the 2020 election raised legitimate questions deserving scrutiny AND acknowledge that once all legal avenues had been exhausted through the courts, the proper Conservative response was to accept the outcome and focus on winning future elections. Those who continued efforts to overturn certified election results after the legal process concluded abandoned Conservative principles of constitutional order and peaceful transfer of power.
President Trump’s November pardons of 77 individuals associated with the 2020 alternate electors, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and John Eastman, raise similar concerns. While many were subjected to partisan prosecution and deserved protection from politically motivated charges, Conservatives must ask: did their actions uphold the constitutional framework we claim to defend?
This is where The Southern Elephant parts ways with those who treat politics as team sports. Conservatism isn’t about defending “our side” no matter what—it’s about defending principles. Law and order. Constitutional governance. The rule of law applied equally. When we abandon these principles for political expediency, we become what we claim to oppose.
The Border Miracle: Real Results, Real Success
The transformation at America’s southern border represents President Trump’s most stunning 2025 achievement. In twelve months, Trump turned Biden’s invasion into the most secure border in U.S. history.
Historic Results: By December, more than 2.5 million illegal aliens had left the U.S., including an estimated 1.9 million self-deportations and more than 622,000 ICE deportations. Border crossings plummeted 93% from the previous year. By November, apprehensions at the southwest border averaged just 245 per day—numbers Border Patrol used to encounter in less than an hour under Biden.
The First 100 Days: In his first 50 days, ICE arrested 32,809 illegal immigrants—nearly 75% were accused or convicted criminals—virtually matching arrests over Biden’s entire final year. Unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors—many trafficking victims—dropped from 4.6% of crossings under Biden to just 0.4% under Trump.
Military Deployment and Enforcement: Trump deployed over 10,000 troops by March, treating the border invasion as the national security crisis it truly was. He designated multiple cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and invoked the Alien Enemies Act to remove Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua members. Federal task forces targeted MS-13 aggressively across the country.
Border Wall Construction: Through the Big Beautiful Bill passed in July, Congress allocated $46.5 billion to complete Trump’s border wall. By year’s end, DHS had more than 85 miles either planned or under construction.
Ending Catch-and-Release: Border catch-and-release dropped 99.99% from the worst Biden month. The administration shut down Biden’s CBP One app within 24 hours. Up to 1 million migrants who used the app were ordered deported.
The Results: Migration through Panama’s Darien Gap dropped 99%. “Gotaways” plummeted from 1,800 per day under Biden to just 38 per day under Trump. Fentanyl trafficking at the southern border was cut in half.
This wasn’t just reducing illegal immigration—this was ending the invasion. Every Conservative should celebrate this achievement. When we said secure the border, President Trump delivered.
DOGE: Promising Start, But the Real Work Remains
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency represented an innovative approach to draining the swamp. By year’s end, the federal workforce had shrunk by approximately 9%, with roughly 300,000 fewer bureaucrats collecting government paychecks.
The Real Achievement: DOGE’s cultural impact exceeded its immediate fiscal savings. It demonstrated that with the right leadership and willpower, the administrative state’s power could be challenged and reduced. After decades of endless government growth, Musk proved that downsizing was possible.
The Hard Truth: DOGE didn’t achieve its ambitious $2 trillion savings goal, and Conservatives should be honest about why: cutting entitlements—the real driver of our national debt—requires Congressional action, not executive orders. Trump and Musk made progress, but Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security reform remain politically untouchable, even with Republican control of government.
This is a Conservative failure, not just a Trump failure. Congressional Republicans lack the political courage to tackle entitlement reform. Until we’re honest about that, DOGE’s achievements, while meaningful, represent only a down payment on what’s needed.
The Murder of Charlie Kirk: Political Violence We Must Condemn
September 10, 2025, will be remembered as a dark day. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking to 3,000 young Americans at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was shot in the neck and died at the scene.
Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, was arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for what they correctly identified as politically motivated terrorism carried out by someone radicalized by years of leftist rhetoric demonizing Conservatives as “threats to democracy.”
A Pattern of Violence: Kirk’s assassination wasn’t isolated. Throughout 2025, political violence escalated: Minnesota legislators attacked, Israeli embassy staff targeted, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence assaulted. Political apocalyptic rhetoric—amplified daily by mainstream media—created an environment where disturbed individuals felt justified using violence.
Kirk’s Legacy: President Trump declared October 14 as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. His widow Erika vowed to continue his work, and Turning Point USA received over 121,000 requests for new chapters following his death. You cannot kill an idea whose time has come.
RFK Jr.: Bold Reform with Legitimate Questions
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as HHS Secretary proved consequential. Despite opposition from Big Pharma and establishment Republicans, RFK Jr. was confirmed 52-48 in February and began revolutionizing American health policy.
Major Changes: In December, the CDC dropped its blanket recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine—the first major change to the childhood immunization schedule in years. Kennedy removed COVID vaccines from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. In June, he fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with independent doctors. He announced the CDC would stop recommending water fluoridation, and pressured major food companies to phase out artificial dyes.
Restructuring HHS: Despite legal challenges, Kennedy reduced HHS staffing by approximately 20%, eliminating approximately 10,000 positions at the FDA, CDC, and NIH.
The Conservative Question: Kennedy’s willingness to challenge medical orthodoxy is admirable, but Conservatives should ask: are some of these positions supported by sound science, or are they ideologically driven? When Kennedy ordered the CDC to acknowledge that “vaccines do not cause autism” is “not an evidence-based claim,” was he promoting honest scientific inquiry or fueling conspiracy theories?
True Conservatism means following evidence, not just challenging authority. We can applaud Kennedy’s commitment to tackling chronic disease and food safety while maintaining healthy skepticism about claims that contradict decades of peer-reviewed research. Being Conservative doesn’t mean being anti-science—it means demanding good science and questioning bad science.
Supreme Court: Constitutional Victories
The Conservative Supreme Court majority delivered landmark decisions that curtailed the administrative state and protected constitutional principles.
Overturning Chevron Deference: The Court’s June 2024 decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (with impacts throughout 2025) overturned the 40-year-old Chevron doctrine, ruling that courts—not unelected bureaucrats—must interpret ambiguous statutes. For four decades, Chevron gave federal agencies nearly unlimited power to expand their authority. Overturning it restored proper constitutional balance.
Other Major Wins:
- Parental Rights: The Court ruled 6-3 that parents must receive advance notice and opt-out rights when schools use LGBTQ+ materials in curriculum.
- Gender-Affirming Care Bans: The Court granted states wide discretion to regulate experimental gender treatments for minors.
- Religious Freedom: In Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin, the Court ruled Wisconsin violated the First Amendment by denying Catholic Charities a religious tax exemption.
- Universal Injunctions: In Trump v. CASA, the Court limited activist judges’ ability to block presidential actions nationwide.
- TikTok Ban: The Court unanimously upheld the ban requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok. Trump later negotiated a deal allowing TikTok to continue operating under American ownership.
These victories represent Conservatism done right: defending constitutional principles through the judiciary while respecting democratic decision-making and federalism.
The Tariff Gambit: Economic Tool or Economic Burden?
President Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs defined 2025 economic policy, and Conservatives must honestly assess both the strategy and its costs.
The Actions: On February 1, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China. When China retaliated, Trump escalated to aggregate tariffs of 145% on many Chinese goods. On April 2, he unveiled “reciprocal tariffs”—a baseline 10% on almost all countries, with higher rates (up to 50%) on countries with large trade imbalances. In May, Trump secured a trade agreement with China, with both nations lowering tariffs by 115% while retaining a 10% baseline.
The Economic Reality: Multiple economic analyses paint a concerning picture. The Tax Foundation estimates tariffs amount to an average tax increase of $1,200 per US household in 2025. Research from Harvard Business School and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found tariffs explain roughly 0.5 percentage points of headline PCE annualized inflation over summer 2025. The Penn Wharton Budget Model projects Trump’s tariffs will reduce long-run GDP by about 6% and wages by 5%, with a middle-income household facing a $22,000 lifetime loss.
The Conservative Dilemma: Reagan taught us that trade protectionism raises prices for consumers and reduces economic efficiency. Yes, some American industries benefit, and yes, China has engaged in unfair trade practices for decades. But are tariffs the right tool, or are they a tax increase by another name that violates Conservative principles of free markets and limited government?
Conservatives should demand honest debate: do the national security and industrial policy benefits justify the economic costs? Are we building American manufacturing capacity, or just making American consumers pay more? We should be creating more jobs for Americans and increase capacity to build more goods on US soil. Trump’s willingness to confront China deserves praise, but the method and its economic consequences deserve scrutiny. This isn’t about supporting or opposing Trump—it’s about honest policy analysis grounded in Conservative economic principles.
The 43-Day Government Shutdown: Failure All Around
From October 1 to November 12, the federal government experienced its longest shutdown ever. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the US economy permanently lost about $11 billion from the shutdown. Nearly 3 million paychecks were withheld from federal civilian employees, representing almost $14 billion in missing wages.
What Happened: Senate Democrats blocked a Republican continuing resolution because it didn’t extend Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire. Democrats forced 670,000 workers into furlough and made roughly 730,000 essential employees work without pay to preserve insurance subsidies.
The Conservative Criticism: But Republicans share blame. Where was the strategic plan? Why weren’t Republicans prepared with a unified messaging strategy? Why did we let Democrats frame the shutdown entirely as Trump’s fault?
More fundamentally, Conservatives must ask: was this shutdown worth it? Approximately 750,000 workers were furloughed without pay. Essential workers—including 1.3 million active-duty military personnel—worked without paychecks. Air traffic delays cascaded. Federal services ground to a halt. Food banks distributed meals to federal workers who couldn’t afford groceries. Over 51% of federal workers relied on credit cards, loans, or emergency savings to pay bills.
The Hard Truth: The shutdown ended on November 12 after Senate Republicans promised a vote on ACA subsidies. We gained nothing. Democrats got their vote. Federal workers suffered for nothing. The economy took an $11 billion permanent hit for nothing.
This wasn’t principled Conservative governance—it was political malpractice. Reagan wouldn’t have let a shutdown drag on for 43 days without a strategy to win or a plan to exit with concessions. This was a painful reminder that controlling government doesn’t mean governing effectively.
Energy Policy: Getting It Right
President Trump moved decisively to reverse Biden’s war on American energy, and Conservatives should celebrate unreservedly.
Trump gutted Biden’s climate regulations, terminated ESG mandates at federal agencies, opened federal lands for oil and gas exploration, and fast-tracked energy project permits. He championed nuclear energy as the future of clean, reliable power.
Results: American energy production reached record levels. Gas prices stabilized. America became the world’s leading energy producer—not dependent on hostile regimes. This is Conservatism succeeding: unleashing American industry, creating jobs, strengthening national security, and lowering costs for families.
Campus Chaos and Federal Response
Throughout 2025, college campuses became battlegrounds over free speech, with antisemitic protests related to the Israel-Hamas war exposing rot in higher education. Encampments took over quads, classes were disrupted, and administrators—terrified of radical faculty and students—often refused to enforce basic rules.
The Trump administration took a strong stand: the Department of Education investigated universities that failed to protect Jewish students, threatening to withdraw federal funding. The administration made clear that universities can’t have it both ways—if they regulate “hate speech,” they must protect all students, including Jews and Conservatives.
This was exactly right. Universities that take federal dollars must protect all students’ rights. Free speech includes speech we find offensive, but it doesn’t include harassment, violence, or disruption that prevents others from learning.
Justice Reform and Congressional Oversight
Attorney General Pam Bondi began restructuring the FBI and intelligence community leadership, removing officials who participated in the Russia hoax and other political operations against Trump. House Republicans launched investigations into prior administration actions.
The Conservative Balance: Holding corrupt officials accountable isn’t “political retribution”—it’s justice. But Conservatives must be careful not to weaponize law enforcement the way Democrats did. We criticize politicized prosecution; we can’t turn around and do the same thing. The standard should be: did someone break the law? If yes, prosecute. If no, move on. Political affiliation shouldn’t determine who faces justice.
Budget Battles: Unfinished Business
Throughout 2025, contentious budget negotiations and debt ceiling fights exposed fundamental disagreements about America’s fiscal future. With national debt exceeding $36 trillion, short-term extensions were passed multiple times.
Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill passed in July, funding border security and immigration enforcement. But entitlement reform—the real driver of debt—remained politically untouchable.
The Conservative Failure: This is our greatest shame. We control government but lack the courage to tackle Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security reform. We campaign on fiscal responsibility but govern like we’re afraid of our own voters. Until Republicans find the backbone to reform entitlements, all our talk about fiscal Conservatism is just talk.
Foreign Policy: Mixed Results
Ukraine: Trump pursued diplomacy, meeting with President Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago in December to discuss peace negotiations. Conservatives split between those supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression and those arguing America can’t afford endless foreign wars. Both positions have merit; neither has an easy answer.
Israel: The administration provided strong military and diplomatic support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism while pushing for strategic victories and eventual Arab state normalization.
China: Beyond tariffs, U.S.-China tensions increased over Taiwan, South China Sea militarization, and technology theft. Trump’s October meeting with Xi in South Korea helped stabilize relations while making clear America would no longer tolerate Chinese aggression.
Federal-State Clashes and Tech Regulation
Trump’s assertive federal power led to clashes with blue states, particularly over immigration enforcement. California, New York, and other sanctuary states fought federal operations, raising questions about federalism and immigration law enforcement authority.
The Department of Justice pursued antitrust actions against major tech companies for monopolistic control. Debates over social media platform regulation intensified, with disagreements about balancing free speech, platform liability, and content moderation. Section 230 reform remained elusive.
Labor, Education, and Cultural Battles
The administration rolled back Biden-era labor regulations favoring unions over workers and independent contractors. Education Secretary Linda McMahon worked to eliminate DEI programs, protect parental rights, and reform Title IX regulations forcing schools to allow biological males in girls’ sports and bathrooms.
These were victories for common sense and parental rights.
The Off-Year Elections: Warning Signs
Democrats scored victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City. Abigail Spanberger defeated Winsome Earle-Sears by over 15 points in Virginia. Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey by 13 points. Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani became mayor-elect of New York City, running on explicitly socialist policies: rent freezes, “free” bus service, universal childcare, and city-owned grocery stores.
The Reality Check: These elections occurred during a federal government shutdown that crippled federal workers and damaged the economy. They happened as tariffs raised prices for consumers. They reflected voter frustration with Republican governance.
We can dismiss these as deep-blue state results that don’t matter. Or we can listen to what voters were saying: governing is harder than campaigning, and results matter. The 2026 midterms will be the real test.
Redistricting: Playing by the Rules
Trump encouraged Republican-controlled states to pursue mid-decade redistricting—legal and smart strategy. Texas passed new maps protecting Republican gains despite Democratic lawmakers fleeing the state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed voters to pass Proposition 50, returning redistricting to the Democrat-controlled legislature after years of sanctimoniously preaching about “independent redistricting.”
The lesson: Democrats abandon principles when convenient. Republicans should play by the rules but play to win.
Looking Forward to 2026
As 2025 closes, Conservatives have genuine achievements: historic border security, Supreme Court victories, regulatory reform, energy independence, and a president unafraid to challenge the establishment.
But we also have unfinished business and lessons to learn:
What We Got Right:
- Border security that actually works
- Supreme Court victories protecting constitutional principles
- Energy policy unleashing American production
- Standing up to China (even if the method is debatable)
- Protecting parental rights and fighting campus antisemitism
- Beginning to downsize the federal bureaucracy
Where We Fell Short:
- Lacking the courage to reform entitlements despite controlling government
- A 43-day government shutdown that accomplished nothing
- Tariff policies that raised consumer prices without clear long-term strategy
- Pardons that sometimes prioritized politics over law and order principles
- Failing to communicate effectively why Conservative policies benefit Americans
The 2026 Test: The midterms will determine whether Republicans can defend their Congressional majorities. We’ll be judged not on our intentions but on our results. Lower prices? Better economy? Secure border? Restored law and order? If we deliver, we’ll win. If we don’t, voters will hold us accountable—as they should.
The Conservative Path Forward: Reagan succeeded because he combined principled Conservatism with effective communication and genuine results. He didn’t just criticize liberals—he offered a better vision and delivered on promises. That’s our challenge for 2026.
We need to reform entitlements, reduce the national debt, maintain border security, continue Supreme Court victories, communicate effectively about why Conservative policies work, and govern with integrity—not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard.
Charlie Kirk gave his life for Conservative principles. Millions of Americans voted for real change. President Trump has delivered historic achievements. But Conservatism is about more than winning elections—it’s about governing according to timeless principles of limited government, individual liberty, rule of law, and fiscal responsibility.
2025 showed we can win. 2026 must show we can govern with principle and effectiveness. The fight continues. Let’s make it count.
The Southern Elephant believes in principled Conservatism that celebrates victories earned through Conservative ideals while honestly acknowledging where we fall short. Politics isn’t team sports—it’s about governing according to principles that make America strong, free, and prosperous. What political story from 2025 impacted you most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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