WEEK EIGHT WINS: A Testament to American Greatness Under President Trump

March 14, 2025

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Action Summary

Economic Relief & Inflation: Notable easing in consumer and wholesale inflation with lower airfare, reduced mortgage rates, record-high home purchase applications, a significant drop in egg prices (down 36.6%), and regular declines in gas and oil prices.
Border Security Enhancements: Record-low illegal crossings with ICE arresting 32,809 illegal immigrants in President Trump’s first 50 days, a 95% reduction in “gotaways,” and a 99% drop in migration through the Darien Gap.
Tariffs & Trade Measures: Implementation of Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to protect American workers, with strong industry support and significant comments from the Steel Manufacturers Association.
Boosting Domestic Manufacturing: Multiple high-profile investments announced by companies such as Cra-Z-Art, GE Aerospace, Asahi Group Holdings, Angel Aligner, Pegatron Corp., Merck, Saica Group, Saint Gobain Ceramics, and LGM Pharma to expand U.S. production and create jobs.
International & Diplomatic Actions: Forcing political concessions from Ontario’s Premier on electricity tariffs, initiating negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine, and securing border negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
Regulatory Rollbacks & Deregulation: The EPA’s broad deregulation including the end of the Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate, rollback of emissions standards, cancellation of over 400 diversity, equity, and environmental justice grants, and the FCC’s sweeping deregulation initiative.
Immigration & Visa Enforcement: Deployment of the CBP Home App for self-deportation, and revocation of a student visa tied to disruptive activities linked to Hamas-support.
Domestic and Interagency Actions:
- Education: Title VI investigations into 45 universities for alleged race-exclusionary practices.
- Interior & Energy: Renaming of a national wildlife refuge to honor a victim of illegal immigration, approval of a federal mining plan extension in Montana, and LNG export permit sign-off for the Delfin LNG project.
- Security & Law Enforcement: DOJ interagency task force arrests targeting criminal gangs and new initiatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Defense & Transportation: Review of military grooming standards and termination of non-core climate initiatives; rescinding of Biden-era social justice infrastructure memos.
- Treasury & Agriculture: Sanctions on Iran’s oil minister and shadow fleet operators; actions to end fraud and waste including termination of a grant for queer and trans farm programs.
- Health: Closure of a loophole allowing unsafe chemicals in food ingredients.

Risks & Considerations

The Trump Administration’s focus on deregulation, particularly in the environmental and educational sectors, could lead to significant changes in compliance requirements for universities. Vanderbilt may need to reassess its environmental policies and educational programs to ensure alignment with new federal standards.
The Department of Education’s investigations into race-based preferences and scholarships could impact Vanderbilt’s admissions policies and financial aid strategies. The university may need to review its practices to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The emphasis on domestic manufacturing and economic growth could present opportunities for Vanderbilt’s research and development initiatives, particularly in engineering and technology fields. However, the shift in federal priorities may also affect funding availability for other areas of research.
Changes in immigration policies, including the revocation of visas for students linked to certain organizations, could impact Vanderbilt’s international student population and necessitate adjustments in recruitment and support services.
The potential reduction in federal grants for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives may affect Vanderbilt’s ability to fund related programs and initiatives, requiring the university to seek alternative funding sources.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Office of Admissions may need to review and potentially revise its admissions criteria and scholarship offerings in response to federal investigations into race-based preferences.
The School of Engineering could benefit from increased opportunities for collaboration with domestic manufacturing initiatives, potentially leading to new research partnerships and funding opportunities.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services may need to enhance its support for international students affected by changes in visa policies and immigration regulations.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion might face challenges in maintaining funding for its programs, necessitating a strategic approach to securing alternative resources.

Financial Impact

The cancellation of federal grants for diversity and environmental justice initiatives could lead to a decrease in funding for related programs at Vanderbilt, impacting their sustainability and growth.
Opportunities for increased funding in engineering and technology research may arise from the administration’s focus on domestic manufacturing and economic growth, potentially benefiting Vanderbilt’s research initiatives in these areas.
Changes in immigration policies could affect the university’s revenue from international student tuition, requiring adjustments in financial planning and recruitment strategies.
The potential need to revise admissions and scholarship policies in response to federal investigations may have financial implications for Vanderbilt, particularly if changes affect the composition of the student body.

Relevance Score: 4 (The actions present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and policies.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor the Department of Education’s investigations into universities for race-exclusionary preferences and race-based scholarships. This will be crucial to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to avoid potential legal challenges.
Vanderbilt’s Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program should assess the impact of the EPA’s deregulation initiatives, particularly the cancellation of diversity, equity, and inclusion grants. Understanding these changes can help the university align its sustainability goals with the new regulatory environment.
Vanderbilt’s Research and Innovation Office should explore opportunities arising from the increased focus on domestic manufacturing and investment. Engaging with companies expanding their U.S. operations could lead to partnerships and research collaborations.
Vanderbilt’s International Student Office should review policies and support systems for international students in light of the Trump Administration’s actions on visas linked to campus disruptions. Ensuring a supportive environment for international students is essential for maintaining diversity and inclusion.

Opportunities

The emphasis on domestic manufacturing presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to collaborate with companies like GE Aerospace and Merck on research and development projects. These partnerships could enhance the university’s research capabilities and provide students with valuable industry experience.
The deregulation of environmental policies offers Vanderbilt’s Law School a chance to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing legal expertise on the implications of these changes, the law school can influence future regulatory frameworks.
The focus on energy infrastructure and LNG export permits could benefit Vanderbilt’s Energy and Environmental Law Program. Engaging in research and policy discussions on energy exports can position the university as a leader in energy law and policy.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ expansion of clinics presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Medical Center to collaborate on healthcare initiatives for veterans. This could enhance the university’s healthcare services and support for veteran communities.

Relevance Score: 4 (The actions and opportunities identified suggest major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to regulatory and investment impacts.)

Average Relevance Score: 4.4

Timeline for Implementation

Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum took effect immediately (as of the article’s publication date, March 14, 2025).
Ukraine entered into immediate negotiations for a ceasefire.

Both directives indicate actions that are effective immediately, thereby requiring an urgent response.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Through agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DHS is engaged in enhanced border security measures and the repurposing of the CBP One App for self-deportation options.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is actively involved in deregulation efforts, including terminating several Biden-era mandates and canceling diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice grants.
Department of Education: The department is launching investigations into multiple universities under Title VI for alleged race-based policies and segregation practices.
Department of the Interior: Impacted through initiatives such as renaming a national wildlife refuge and approving federal mining plan modifications.
Department of Energy: The approval of a major LNG export permit indicates the department’s involvement following the reversal of a previous ban.
Department of Justice (DOJ): By establishing a new interagency task force that made notable arrests, the DOJ is playing a critical role in law enforcement efforts.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The opening of new clinics to serve additional veterans highlights VA’s expanded involvement under this directive.
Department of Defense (DOD): The DOD is undertaking a review of physical and grooming guidelines, terminating programs not aligned with warfighting priorities, and reassessing disciplinary actions.
Department of Transportation (DOT): The DOT is impacted through the rescinding of previous administration memos that incorporated broader social justice and environmental agendas.
Department of the Treasury: Sanctions targeting foreign figures and entities related to Iran’s oil minister and smuggling networks place the Treasury in a critical enforcement role.
Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA is acting to root out fraud, waste, and abuse, including the termination of grants that support certain social programs.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): HHS is involved through the closing of loopholes related to the use of chemicals with unknown safety data in food manufacturing.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The FCC has launched a deregulatory initiative aimed at alleviating regulatory burdens, underscoring its role in the broader deregulatory effort.

Relevance Score: 4 (A significant range of 11-15 Federal Agencies are impacted by these directives and actions.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of the Interior (Doug Burgum) – Implemented the renaming of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and approved the federal mining plan modification for Montana’s Spring Creek Mine.
Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseth) – Ordered a department-wide review of military physical and grooming guidelines and terminated initiatives deemed inconsistent with the core warfighting mission.
Army Chief of Staff (General George) – Initiated a review of general officer memorandums of reprimand regarding compliance with directives on vaccine mandates.
Department of Homeland Security – Through its sub-agencies such as ICE and CBP, executed directives including record-low illegal border crossings and the launch of the CBP Home App for self-deportation options.
Environmental Protection Agency – Carried out a major deregulation effort by ending mandates and standards, including the Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate and associated emissions standards.
Department of Education – Opened investigations into 45 universities over alleged race-based policies.
Department of Energy – Approved a key liquefied natural gas export permit for the Delfin LNG project.
Department of Justice – Formed a new interagency task force that rapidly arrested criminals, including members of violent gangs.
Department of Veterans Affairs – Expanded veteran services by opening additional new clinics.
Department of Transportation – Rescinded Biden-era memos that influenced infrastructure funding with policy priorities unrelated to core transportation objectives.
Department of the Treasury – Imposed sanctions on foreign officials and entities linked to illicit activities, including Iran’s oil minister and shadow fleet operators.
Department of Agriculture – Took measures to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, which included terminating a grant supporting specific farming communities.
Department of Health and Human Services – Closed a loophole permitting the use of chemicals with unknown safety data in food production.
Federal Communications Commission – Launched a comprehensive deregulation initiative aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on Americans.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives primarily impact agency heads and Cabinet-level officials responsible for high-level policy implementation across multiple sectors.)