U.S. President Donald Trump’s first year of his second term has been marked by military action abroad and discriminatory policies at home. From giving Israel a blank cheque to bombing Iran and attacking Muslim communities in America, we took a look back at a tumultuous 12 months.
Trump began his second term one year ago, pledging a radical transformation of nearly every aspect of government and American society.
Throughout his first year, Trump moved aggressively to fulfill that vow.
He promised to upend longstanding U.S. foreign policy, vowing an “America First” realignment of alliances, trade and global security commitments.
His foreign policy approach emphasised unilateral action, military leverage, and transactional alliances over multilateral diplomacy.
January 2025
- Trump signals a return to “America First” foreign policy in inaugural remarks, warning allies that U.S. security commitments will be conditional.
- He pardons approximately 1,500 people convicted or accused of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Most receive full pardons; sentences are commuted for several individuals tied to the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
- Trump launches a nationwide immigration crackdown, promising the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. He deploys 1,500 U.S. troops to the Mexican border and targets Democratic-led cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City.
- He signs an executive order directing development of a nationwide missile defense system, initially dubbed the “Iron Dome for America,” later renamed the “Golden Dome.” Testing has not yet begun.
- The administration reimposes hardline sanctions enforcement on Iran, reversing late-term flexibility under the Biden administration.
February
- Trump unveils a Gaza policy framework granting Israel wide latitude to continue military operations while proposing a U.S.-backed security and reconstruction role. The plan draws criticism from Arab allies and international organisations.
March
- Trump signs an executive order designating English as the official language of the U.S. Legislation to codify the move stalls in the Republican-controlled House.
- Immigration authorities detain Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, citing his pro-Palestinian activism. A federal judge later orders his release, ruling the detention unconstitutional; an appeals court subsequently finds the judge lacked jurisdiction, raising the possibility of re-arrest.
- Trump signs an executive order seeking federal control over U.S. elections, including restrictions on mail-in ballots and proof-of-citizenship requirements. Federal judges block the order multiple times.
- Trump says he will consider seeking a third term despite constitutional limits.
- He threatens Iran with military action if it continues nuclear enrichment, saying Tehran will face “bombing like it has never seen before.”
April
- Trump announces the suspension of U.S. funding to several UN agencies pending reviews of “political neutrality,” including agencies involved in Palestinian humanitarian assistance.
- The White House signals support for a “regional solution” to the Gaza conflict while sharply criticizing international calls for a permanent ceasefire.
- Harvard University sues the Trump administration over threats to withhold federal funding tied to alleged antisemitism during 2024 Gaza protests.
Here’s a brief, newswire-style summary of Trump’s 2025 Middle East tour:
May
Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in a four-day tour focused on economic deals and security cooperation. He secured investment pledges totaling over $1 trillion and signed agreements on arms, technology, and energy projects.
Sign up for regular updates straight to your inbox
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
June
- As hostilities between Israel and Iran intensify, Trump authorises direct U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, using B-2 bombers and cruise missiles.
- Trump declares the strikes “very successful,” saying Iran’s nuclear program has been crippled and warning against any reconstruction.
- The U.S. deploys additional naval and air assets to the eastern Mediterranean.
- Trump announces a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran days later, framing it as a decisive show of American power.
- Elon Musk accuses Trump of concealing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein; both later downplay the dispute.
- Trump federalises the California National Guard and deploys it to Los Angeles amid immigration protests. Hundreds of U.S. Marines are later sent over objections from state and local officials.
July
- The Justice Department and FBI announce no further disclosures will be made regarding Epstein files, sparking backlash among Trump supporters.
- Trump unveils an AI action plan aimed at accelerating development and maintaining U.S. global leadership.
- Justice Department officials interview Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who says no Epstein “client list” exists.
August
- Trump deploys the National Guard to Washington, D.C., citing high crime. More than 2,500 guardsmen remain deployed. Two guardsmen are later shot, one fatally.
September
- Trump announces he will posthumously award conservative activist Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- National Guard deployments are ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, and Portland, Oregon. Courts later block several deployments, and the Supreme Court halts an attempted deployment to Chicago.
October
- Trump says he will not seek a third term.
- He authorises expanded sanctions on Iranian energy exports following regional proxy attacks.
November
- Attorney General Pam Bondi announces an investigation into Epstein’s alleged ties to Trump’s political rivals.
- Trump reverses course and signs legislation mandating the release of Epstein records, with redactions.
December
- The Justice Department misses the deadline to release Epstein files, disclosing less than 1% of documents in its possession.
January 2026
- The United States launches a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores and transporting them to the U.S. to face criminal charges.
- Trump announces the U.S. will oversee a transitional authority in Venezuela and assume control of oil exports.
- The U.S. conducts its first sanctioned sale of Venezuelan oil following Maduro’s removal.
- The U.S. Senate narrowly rejects an effort to limit Trump’s war powers related to Venezuela.
- Trump vows to strip citizenship from naturalised Americans involved in fraud, singling out Somali Americans amid a deportation push in Minneapolis.
