Trump's first month in office has been a stressful time for many, with many workers being laid off and anger in government with the executive decision to create DOGE to cut “excess” federal spending, the first month has been nothing short of eventful.
On January 20th 2025, President Trump signed an executive order creating DOGE, a temporary organization led by Elon Musk, with the goal of reducing wasteful federal spending and eliminating excessive regulations. This was a surprise to many as people are angered that Trump is able to make this happen. The democrats have complained that elon musk is in no way cut out to be in control of government and it is dangerous to give him this much power.
On the 23rd of January, a highlight for many, Trump signed off on the declassification of assassination records, Trump explained he wants to promote transparency, allowing the public to access previously hidden information about historically significant events. It helps address lingering doubts, supports historical research, and strengthens trust in government by reducing secrecy around major political assassinations.
On the 28th the government made the Deferred Resignation offer likely aimed to reduce the federal workforce in a controlled manner by incentivizing voluntary resignations. By allowing employees to resign early while still receiving salary and benefits for several months, the government could cut long-term payroll costs, streamline operations, and manage budget constraints without abrupt layoffs. This approach also helps employees transition smoothly to new opportunities rather than facing immediate job loss.
On February 6th Trumps administration announced the dismantling of USAID, which involved plans to reduce around 2,000 domestic positions within the agency and place global personnel on leave, signaling a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid and international development priorities. USAID, which has historically played a key role in providing aid to developing countries, promoting democracy, and addressing global challenges like poverty and disease, faced substantial cuts under this initiative. Proponents of the decision argued that it would reduce government spending and refocus foreign aid efforts, while critics saw it as a retreat from international leadership, potentially undermining humanitarian efforts and the U.S.'s influence on the global stage. The move also raised concerns about the long-term impact on global stability and development.
Trump's first month has been packed with controversy as expected, but hopefully he can make up for some of his decisions and become the leader he needs to be.
