Donald Trump has been in office for only five days, but he has already made significant changes to the federal government. He has reassigning or fired hundreds of civil servants, rushed troops to the southern border, and issued 26 executive orders that cover a wide range of topics, including environmental regulations and citizenship rules.
Trump’s allies have compared his swift and decisive actions to a special forces operation that has caught many off guard. They attribute the meticulous planning to the work of conservative allies who have been drafting policy plans for years, planning for Trump’s potential return to the White House.
However, Trump’s opponents say he is distorting the US Constitution and expanding the limits of executive power beyond its intended limits. They also argue that his opening moves show he is more interested in transforming the country and exacting revenge than in uniting it.
Trump has already taken several drastic steps, including removing the security clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials, purging the White House National Security Council of career officials, and removing a portrait of one of his former critics from the Pentagon. He has also pardoned over 1,500 supporters who took part in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Trump’s opponents say the president is showing no signs of compromising or uniting the country, and is instead focused on implementing a radical agenda. His actions have been met with a mix of shock, awe, and concern, with some describing the speed and scope of his moves as “ruthless” and “efficient.”
