WEEK TEN WINS: President Trump Fuels America’s Golden Age

March 28, 2025

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Action Summary

Law Enforcement & Homeland Security: Apprehension of a key MS-13 leader; ICE arrest of over 370 illegal immigrants with significant criminal records; declassification of FBI files on the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
Trade & Economic Policy: Imposition of 25% tariffs on foreign automobiles, auto parts, and goods from countries importing Venezuelan oil; actions targeting unfair trade practices and protection of national security; positive responses from labor groups and auto industry stakeholders.
Manufacturing & Investment: Major investments announced by Hyundai, Schneider Electric, and Rolls-Royce in U.S. facilities; commitments to job creation and domestic production growth.
International Security & Diplomacy: U.S. airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia; U.S.-led negotiations achieving a Black Sea ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine; sanctions and blacklisting of Chinese companies to counter intellectual property theft.
Executive Orders: A series of orders addressing election integrity, enhancing the safety and aesthetics of Washington, D.C., protecting national financial interests, exempting agencies for security purposes, and removing anti-American content from federal sites.
Departmental Initiatives & Actions:
- Interior & Energy: Distribution of $350 million in energy revenues and initiation of oil/gas lease sales.
- Commerce & Treasury: Blacklisting Chinese firms; imposing sanctions on Iranian intelligence operatives.
- Housing, Education & Labor: Cancellation of taxpayer-backed mortgages for illegal immigrants; revocation of funding waivers and launch of investigations related to education and gender policies; cancellation of “America Last” grants.
- Health & Environment: Axing of grants related to radical gender ideology in California; termination of a $2 billion grant linked to partisan politics; streamlined processes to reduce regulatory costs.
Financial & Administrative Reforms: Elimination of a $3 billion slush fund by the Office of Management and Budget; corrective actions by the Small Business Administration and Department of Justice’s seizure of cryptocurrency linked to terrorism.
Military & Infrastructure Investments: Awarding of a $1 billion contract for heavy icebreaker ships vital to U.S. defense interests.
Leadership & Personnel: Rapid confirmation of key nominees, including top officials in the Navy, science and technology, health, and budget offices.
Legal & Judicial Measures: Presidential pardon granted to Devon Archer, a figure associated with the Biden corruption investigation.

Risks & Considerations

The imposition of tariffs on foreign automobiles and auto parts could lead to increased costs for Vanderbilt University if it relies on imported goods for its operations or research activities. This may necessitate budget adjustments or sourcing alternatives.
The executive order on election integrity, requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, could impact the university’s international student body, potentially affecting their ability to participate in local elections or civic activities.
The revocation of waivers allowing colleges to divert federal funds intended for low-income students and students with disabilities to illegal immigrants may require Vanderbilt to reassess its financial aid distribution and support for affected students.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ actions against California’s DEI and gender ideology programs could signal a broader federal stance that may influence Vanderbilt’s own DEI initiatives and funding.
The cancellation of grants related to gender equity and foreign migrant worker assistance may affect Vanderbilt’s partnerships or research projects that align with these areas, potentially requiring strategic realignment.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office may need to review and adjust its policies to ensure compliance with new federal guidelines regarding the allocation of funds for low-income and disabled students.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services might need to provide additional support and guidance to international students affected by changes in voter registration requirements and other federal policies.
Research programs that rely on imported materials or international collaborations could face challenges due to increased tariffs and trade restrictions, necessitating alternative strategies or partnerships.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion may need to evaluate its programs and initiatives in light of federal actions against DEI-related activities, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory standards.

Financial Impact

The tariffs on foreign goods could lead to increased operational costs for the university, particularly if it relies on imported materials for research or infrastructure projects.
Changes in federal funding priorities, such as the cancellation of certain grants, may require Vanderbilt to seek alternative funding sources or adjust its budget allocations to maintain program continuity.
The potential impact on international students and their participation in civic activities could affect enrollment and tuition revenue, necessitating strategic planning to mitigate any negative effects.
Vanderbilt may need to invest in compliance and legal resources to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and ensure adherence to new federal guidelines and executive orders.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present significant challenges and potential transformations for Vanderbilt’s programs and operations.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor the Department of Education’s actions, particularly the revocation of waivers that allowed colleges to divert federal funds intended for low-income students and students with disabilities. This will be crucial in ensuring compliance and securing necessary funding for Vanderbilt’s programs.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion should evaluate the impact of the executive order on DEI-related programming, especially in light of the University of Michigan’s decision to end such programs. This evaluation will help Vanderbilt navigate potential changes and maintain its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office should assess the implications of the Department of Education’s investigation into the diversion of federal funds. Ensuring that financial aid strategies align with federal guidelines will be essential to support students effectively.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of the executive orders related to election integrity and national security. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect democratic processes and national security.
Vanderbilt’s Research Administration should explore opportunities arising from the Department of Energy’s reduction of bureaucratic red tape, which could facilitate new laboratory construction and research initiatives.

Opportunities

The executive orders present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in policy analysis and advocacy related to election integrity and national security. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the law school can influence policy development and implementation.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on American manufacturing and energy infrastructure by developing new partnerships with companies like Hyundai and Schneider Electric. This could include joint research initiatives and collaborative projects, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in these sectors.
The emphasis on reducing bureaucratic red tape offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Engineering School to engage in innovative research and development projects. By leveraging this opportunity, the school can contribute to advancements in energy and infrastructure technologies.
By engaging with the broader educational community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on educational reform. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of these executive orders can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative educational thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to funding impacts and policy shifts.)

Average Relevance Score: 4.4

Timeline for Implementation

Immediate declassification order for all FBI files related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.

The analysis identified only one explicit deadline—“immediate”—with no further deadlines mentioned for other directives.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Tasked with border and homeland security as evidenced by the arrest of illegal immigrants involved in significant criminal activities.
Department of the Interior: Involved through disbursement of energy revenues and management of oil-and-gas lease sales.
Department of Commerce: Engaged in safeguarding U.S. economic interests by blacklisting Chinese companies over intellectual property concerns.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Affected through the cancellation of taxpayer-backed mortgages for illegal immigrants.
Department of Energy: Impacted by actions reducing bureaucratic costs in laboratory construction and purchases.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Targeted with budget cuts and formal warnings regarding educational programming and gender-related policies.
Department of Education: Undergoing changes including revoking financial waiver programs and launching investigations concerning education policies and practices.
Department of Agriculture: Engaged through reinstating critical reports for farmers and initiating an investigation into state compliance with executive orders.
Department of the Treasury: Took action by imposing sanctions on foreign intelligence figures linked to criminal activities.
Department of Labor: Saw cancellation of grants linked to workforce and trade equity initiatives.
Department of Justice (DOJ): Involved via the seizure of cryptocurrency intended to support designated terrorist organizations and the declassification of FBI records.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Impacted by terminating grants and completing mission assignments under new directives.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Directly affected through the elimination of a multi-billion-dollar fund deemed wasteful.
Small Business Administration (SBA): Engaged in reversing previous mismanagement of key loan programs.
U.S. Coast Guard: Impacted through major contract awards for heavy icebreaker ships crucial for defending American interests.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Affected by the presidential order to declassify all related files concerning the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
U.S. Navy: Informed by the confirmation of a new Secretary of the Navy, influencing military leadership and operational directives.
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Impacted through leadership appointments influencing science and technology policy.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Affected via its nomination and confirmation, linking it to broader governmental policy changes.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives and actions impact across numerous federal agencies, reflecting a broad government-wide approach.)

Responsible Officials

Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Charged with executing the directive for apprehending key MS-13 figures and conducting large-scale immigration arrests.
United States Trade Representative (USTR) – Tasked with implementing the tariffs on foreign automobiles, auto parts, and goods from countries importing Venezuelan oil to protect national security and domestic industry.
Mayor of Washington, D.C. – Responsible for executing the executive order aimed at making the capital city safer, more beautiful, and a national model.
Secretary of the Treasury – Oversees the implementation of measures to “protect America’s bank account” through initiatives aimed at combating waste, fraud, and modernizing payments.
Heads of Federal Agencies with National Security Missions – Must implement the executive order exempting their agencies from federal collective bargaining requirements in support of enhanced border, national, and energy security.
Heads of the National Park Service and Federal Museum Directors – Charged with executing the directive to remove anti-American propaganda from federal museums and national parks.
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Responsible for carrying out the immediate declassification of all FBI files related to the specified investigation.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads and senior officials responsible for implementing high-impact national security, trade, and domestic policy measures.)