✅ President Trump Has Kept His Promises — and Then Some

7/21/2025

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Action Summary

Fulfilling Campaign Promises: President Trump claims to have delivered on his “Make America Great Again” pledges, addressing issues from border security to economic rejuvenation within six months.
Border Security and Immigration Enforcement: Historic lows in illegal border crossings, resumed border wall construction, and the largest deportation efforts targeting violent criminals and gang members.
Economic Achievements: Significant measures to lower inflation and drive down consumer prices; robust job creation with record blue-collar wage growth and stock market surges.
Energy Independence: Expansion of drilling permits, deregulation, increased oil and natural gas production, and pipeline construction to position the U.S. as a dominant energy producer.
Revitalizing American Manufacturing: Implementation of an America First trade agenda encouraging onshoring, leading to trillions in investments and new job creation in domestic manufacturing.
Tax Reform and Relief: Enactment of the largest tax cuts for the working and middle classes, including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits.
Defense of Constitutional Rights: Executive actions to dismantle censorship regimes, safeguard religious liberty, and protect Second Amendment rights.
National Security and Global Peace Efforts: Deployment of the “Peace Through Strength” doctrine, including the creation of a domestically built missile defense system and diplomatic successes to avert conflicts abroad.
Tackling Government Overreach: Efforts to end the weaponization of government agencies by purging corrupt elements from key institutions and launching investigations into alleged deep state abuses.
Public Safety and Law Enforcement: Crackdowns on drug cartels, human smuggling networks, and gang violence, along with initiatives to restore safety in cities like Washington, D.C.
Military Modernization: Unprecedented investments in modernizing and strengthening U.S. military forces to ensure superior defense capabilities.
U.S. Dollar and Economic Dominance: Policies designed to uphold the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency and strengthen American economic power through pro-growth measures.
Protection of Social Programs: Commitment to defend Social Security and Medicare from any cuts or alterations, securing benefits for current and future generations.
Regulatory Rollbacks: Repeal of the electric vehicle mandate and elimination of what are considered burdensome regulations to support job growth and innovation.
Educational and Cultural Policies: Defunding of schools promoting critical race theory and radical gender ideologies, and reforms in sports to prevent men from competing against women.
Campus and Election Security: Measures to deport individuals linked to extremist ideologies from campuses, alongside comprehensive election integrity reforms including voter identification and paper ballot requirements.
National Unity and Future Direction: An overarching theme of uniting the nation through record-level achievements and widespread public support across multiple sectors.

Risks & Considerations

The executive orders and actions taken by President Trump, such as defunding DEI programming and critical race theory in education, could significantly impact Vanderbilt University’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. This may lead to a reduction in federal funding for programs that are perceived to promote these ideologies.
Changes in immigration policies, including the largest deportation operation and visa revocations for certain groups, could affect Vanderbilt’s international student population and faculty, potentially leading to a decrease in diversity and global perspectives on campus.
The emphasis on energy independence and deregulation may impact research funding and initiatives related to climate change and sustainability, areas where Vanderbilt may have ongoing projects or interests.
Executive actions aimed at securing elections and enforcing voter identification could influence the university’s civic engagement programs and partnerships with local and state governments.
Efforts to end gender-affirming care and restrict participation in women’s sports could affect campus policies and student organizations focused on LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality.

Impacted Programs

Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion may face challenges in maintaining funding and support for its initiatives, requiring strategic adjustments to align with new federal guidelines.
International Student and Scholar Services could see a decrease in international student enrollment and faculty recruitment, necessitating a reevaluation of support services and outreach efforts.
Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment might need to adapt its research focus and funding strategies in response to shifts in federal energy policies and priorities.
Center for Civic Engagement may need to adjust its programs to comply with new election security measures and voter identification laws.
LGBTQ+ Policy Lab could be impacted by changes in federal policies regarding gender identity and sports participation, affecting research and advocacy efforts.

Financial Impact

Potential reductions in federal funding for diversity and inclusion programs could necessitate increased reliance on private grants and donations to sustain these initiatives.
Changes in immigration policies may lead to a decrease in tuition revenue from international students, impacting the university’s financial planning and budget allocations.
Shifts in energy policy could affect grant opportunities and funding for research projects related to sustainability and climate change.
Adjustments in civic engagement programs may require additional resources to ensure compliance with new election laws and maintain community partnerships.
Potential legal challenges or compliance issues related to changes in gender policies could result in additional legal and administrative costs.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present high risks involving major transformations of programs and potential compliance challenges.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt University should assess the impact of the executive orders on its educational programs, particularly those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The university may need to adjust its curriculum and policies to comply with new federal guidelines while maintaining its commitment to inclusivity.
The Office of Federal Relations should actively monitor changes in federal funding policies, especially those affecting education and research grants. By identifying potential funding opportunities and risks, the office can help secure resources for Vanderbilt’s programs and initiatives.
Vanderbilt’s Immigration Services should prepare for potential changes in immigration policies that could affect international students and faculty. Developing strategies to support affected individuals and ensure compliance with new regulations will be crucial.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of the executive orders, particularly those related to immigration, energy, and economic policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect communities and inform Vanderbilt’s strategic planning.
Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Programs should evaluate the impact of changes in energy policies on their initiatives. By aligning with federal priorities, these programs can continue to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Opportunities

The executive orders present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Business School to expand its research and development of economic policies and trade strategies. By leveraging its expertise, the school can contribute to the design and evaluation of effective economic policies, potentially influencing national economic policy.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on energy independence by developing new programs and partnerships with energy companies. This could include joint research initiatives, student internships, and collaborative projects, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the energy sector.
The emphasis on securing elections offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the school can influence how election integrity measures are implemented and used to support democratic processes.
The order’s focus on rebuilding cities aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to community engagement and urban development. The university can develop targeted outreach and support programs for urban communities, enhancing their opportunities and success.
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 educational policies 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 and policy impacts.)

Average Relevance Score: 4.4

Timeline for Implementation

Immediate execution “on day one” for directives such as canceling the electric vehicle mandate and ending the practice of allowing men to compete in women’s sports.
Other directives do not specify a future compliance period, indicating that their implementation was either immediate or already in effect.

*I determined that there are no extended timelines because the language in the directives indicates actions were taken immediately or on day one.*

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Charged with securing the border and overseeing the deportation operation, DHS is directly affected by the measures to reduce illegal crossings and remove criminal aliens.
Department of Justice (DOJ): Tasked with enforcing federal law, the DOJ is impacted by directives to purge alleged corrupt elements within its ranks and to prosecute criminal activity including election-related offenses.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Targeted by actions to remove what are described as “deep state” influences, the FBI is undergoing shifts in its operational focus.
Department of Education: This agency is affected by the order to cut federal funding for schools promoting critical race theory and radical gender ideologies.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): With mandates being revoked—such as the cancellation of an electric vehicle mandate and the rollback of climate initiatives—the EPA faces significant regulatory changes.
Department of Energy (DOE): Directed to facilitate record numbers of drilling permits and deregulate to boost American energy production, the DOE plays a key role in implementing the energy agenda.
Department of Defense (DoD): Responsible for modernizing the military and developing new systems like a domestic missile defense shield, the DoD is a central organization in the national security strategy.
Department of the Treasury: Impacted by sweeping tax cuts for workers and economic measures to reinforce the U.S. dollar’s global standing, the Treasury is integral to executing these fiscal policies.
Department of State: Involved in managing foreign policy measures such as visa revocations and the expulsion of pro-Hamas radicals, the State Department is essential for the international aspects of the actions.
United States Trade Representative (USTR): Charged with negotiating trade policies and tariffs to repatriate manufacturing and onshore jobs, the USTR is directly affected by the “America First” trade directives.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): As the executive order calls for dismantling human smuggling networks and cracking down on drug cartels, the DEA is a key agency in the enforcement of these measures.

Relevance Score: 4 (Eleven to fifteen agencies are impacted by the executive actions.)

Responsible Officials

President Donald J. Trump – As the principal executive officer, he signed the orders and directives that set these policies in motion.
Heads of Relevant Federal Agencies – Agency leaders (e.g., those at the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Defense, Energy, and Education) were tasked with implementing the various sector-specific directives, even though the article does not name them individually.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House leadership and the Cabinet-level heads of federal agencies with broad national implications.)