Wins Come All Day Under President Donald J. Trump

February 14, 2025

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Action Summary

Hostage Releases: Freed American citizens detained in Russia and Belarus, marking the tenth and eleventh releases during Trump’s term, with bipartisan praise from figures such as former Ambassador Michael McFaul.
Trade & Tariff Initiatives: Reimposed a 25% tariff on steel and elevated tariffs on aluminum to protect domestic industries; unveiled a plan for fair and reciprocal trade, including reciprocal tariffs on Brazilian ethanol.
Diplomatic Engagements: Held strategic discussions with world leaders including Russian President Putin, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Jordan’s King Abdullah II (leading to humanitarian commitments), and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to foster new deals on trade, energy, immigration, and artificial intelligence.
Energy & Industry Policies: Approved the first LNG export project since the previous ban; established the National Energy Dominance Council to advise on achieving U.S. energy supremacy.
Immigration & Border Security: Reported historic lows in illegal border crossings, executed repatriation efforts for Venezuelan nationals, and initiated legal action against state officials over federal immigration law noncompliance.
Federal Bureaucracy & Regulatory Reforms: Launched a plan to downsize the federal workforce (including halting new hires in agencies), eliminated programs such as the Climate Corps and the Federal Executive Institute, and revoked regulations deemed overreaching (including Biden-era business practices and environmental standards).
Domestic Policy & Public Health Measures: Signed an executive order barring COVID-19 vaccine mandates in federally funded schools, redirected focus to health promotion via the Make America Healthy Again Commission, and ended practices such as paper straw usage.
Legal Actions & Investigations: Initiated investigations into alleged mismanagement at the EPA and educational discrimination in sports, and declassified additional JFK assassination records as mandated by executive order.
Symbolic & Miscellaneous Actions: Achieved record-high approval ratings, attended Super Bowl LIX as the first sitting president, rebranded national landmarks (e.g., Fort Liberty) and mapping designations (Gulf of America Day), and reined in DEI initiatives in media and educational institutions.

Risks & Considerations

The restoration of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could lead to increased costs for industries reliant on these materials, potentially affecting research and development projects at Vanderbilt University that depend on these resources.
The executive order barring COVID-19 vaccine mandates in federally funded schools may impact public health policies and could influence the university’s health and safety protocols, especially if similar policies are extended to higher education institutions.
The establishment of the National Energy Dominance Council and the focus on energy dominance may shift federal funding priorities, potentially affecting grants and research opportunities related to renewable energy and environmental studies at Vanderbilt.
The downsizing of the federal workforce and the halting of operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could lead to changes in regulatory environments, impacting compliance and administrative processes at the university.
The investigation into anti-discrimination law violations in sports could influence university athletics programs, particularly in terms of compliance with federal regulations and policies on gender and sports participation.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may need to consider the implications of increased tariffs on materials for research and development projects, potentially affecting budgets and project timelines.
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center might need to reassess its public health strategies in light of changes to vaccine mandate policies, ensuring alignment with federal guidelines.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences could see shifts in research funding opportunities as federal priorities change towards energy dominance, necessitating strategic adjustments in research focus.
The Office of Compliance and Risk Management may need to monitor changes in federal regulations closely, particularly those affecting financial and administrative operations.
Vanderbilt Athletics may need to review its policies and practices to ensure compliance with evolving federal anti-discrimination laws in sports.

Financial Impact

Increased tariffs on steel and aluminum could lead to higher costs for construction and maintenance projects on campus, impacting the university’s budget and financial planning.
Changes in federal funding priorities towards energy dominance and away from certain environmental initiatives could affect grant availability and research funding for related programs at Vanderbilt.
The potential reduction in federal workforce and changes in regulatory bodies may lead to shifts in compliance costs and administrative burdens for the university.
Alterations in public health policies, such as vaccine mandates, could influence healthcare costs and insurance policies for students and staff.

Relevance Score: 3 (The actions present moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in funding priorities.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor changes in federal policies regarding international trade and tariffs, particularly those affecting steel and aluminum industries, as these could impact research funding and partnerships with industries reliant on these materials.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may explore opportunities to collaborate with industries affected by the tariffs on steel and aluminum to develop innovative solutions that mitigate the impact of these tariffs on production costs and supply chains.
The Department of Political Science should analyze the implications of President Trump’s foreign policy directives, especially those related to international diplomacy and trade agreements, to provide insights that could inform Vanderbilt’s global engagement strategies.
Vanderbilt’s Peabody College should assess the impact of the executive order barring COVID-19 vaccine mandates in federally funded schools, as this could influence public health policies and educational practices in Tennessee and beyond.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment should evaluate the establishment of the National Energy Dominance Council and its potential effects on energy research funding and policy development, positioning the university to contribute to national energy strategies.

Opportunities

The executive order to end the use of paper straws presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Environmental Science Department to research and develop sustainable alternatives, potentially leading to partnerships with businesses seeking eco-friendly solutions.
Vanderbilt can leverage the focus on downsizing federal bureaucracy to advocate for increased funding and support for higher education institutions, emphasizing the role of universities in driving innovation and economic growth.
The emphasis on promoting health rather than managing disease aligns with Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine initiatives, offering opportunities to expand research and programs focused on preventive health and wellness.
The investigation into anti-discrimination law violations in sports could provide Vanderbilt’s Law School with a platform to engage in legal research and advocacy, influencing policy development in gender equality and sports law.
The declassification of JFK assassination documents could be a unique research opportunity for Vanderbilt’s History Department, allowing scholars to contribute to historical analysis and public discourse on this significant event.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with new federal policies and capitalize on emerging opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 4.2

Timeline for Implementation

Immediate dismissal of the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.

This directive explicitly uses the term “immediate,” meaning it requires action without delay.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Energy (DOE): Approved the first liquefied natural gas export project and is likely involved in initiatives such as the National Energy Dominance Council.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Tasked with actions including the reclamation of funds related to housing illegal aliens and managing border security measures.
Department of the Treasury: Directed to stop production of the penny, impacting currency production and monetary policy.
Department of Defense (DoD): Involved through orders affecting military leadership structures, including the dismissal of boards of visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, and the restoration of historical military base names.
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI): Implicated by confirmations amid broader executive actions and national security directives.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Affected by confirmations and executive actions related to COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies.
Department of Agriculture (USDA): Impacted through the Senate-confirmed appointments and potential involvement in trade or regulatory actions affecting American industries.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Ordered to halt operations, directly curtailing its ongoing financial regulatory role.
Federal Executive Institute (FEI): Terminated as part of efforts to eliminate what were characterized as wasteful bureaucratic entities.
Boards of Visitors for the U.S. Military Academies: Specifically for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, these boards were dismissed to address concerns over ideological influences.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Directed to end certain Biden-era regulations and conduct actions such as canceling contracts, affecting its regulatory oversight.
Department of the Interior (DOI): Made changes to mapping databases and commemorative observances, such as proclaiming “Gulf of America Day.”
Department of Justice (DOJ): Engaged in multiple actions including filing suit over state-level immigration issues and overseeing the declassification of historic documents (with the FBI playing a role in these efforts).
Department of Education (ED): Initiated an investigation into alleged violations of federal anti-discrimination law by sports organizations.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Implemented a new flag policy to standardize the prominence of the American flag across its facilities.
The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees: Experienced a significant restructuring with the President being elected as Chairman and several board members being removed.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directive applies across a wide range of Federal agencies, impacting 16 distinct government organizations.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of the Treasury – Directed to stop production of the penny, thereby implementing a specific fiscal policy change.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Leadership – Instructed by the administration to halt operations in alignment with the executive order.
EPA Administrator (Lee Zeldin) – Ordered to terminate Biden-era regulations regarding water flow and lightbulb standards.
Secretary of Defense (Pete Hegseth) – Charged with executing directives that include renaming Fort Liberty back to “Fort Bragg” and dismissing the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Department of the Interior – Tasked with updating mapping databases to reflect the new designation of “Gulf of America Day.”

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect high-level Cabinet officials responsible for key policy areas including fiscal management, defense, environmental regulation, and domestic governance.)