PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT? TRUMP'S PROGRESS REPORT CARD

From securing the border to crushing inflation to ending global conflicts - President Trump made sweeping promises to transform America. The question every voter is asking: Is he actually delivering?

Inflation

Inflation emerged as the defining issue of the 2024 presidential election cycle. According to the International Monetary Fund, inflation represents the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time. Throughout the presidential debates and campaign trail, the most challenging question facing Democratic nominees Joe Biden and subsequently Kamala Harris was explaining how inflation reached such elevated levels during their administration's tenure from 2020 to 2024.

ABC News commentary during the presidential election highlighted that Kamala Harris's primary strategy centered on combating price gouging. Her proposal included "a federal ban on price gouging for food and groceries...the plan could resemble price-gouging bans in place in 37 states, which prohibit a sudden spike in prices for scarce goods." However, after years of persistently high inflation rates, voters ultimately viewed this proposal as insufficient to address the underlying economic challenges.

Figure 1 from Investopedia (https://www.investopedia.com/us-inflation-rate-by-president-8546447) demonstrates that the Biden administration recorded not only the fourth-largest inflation rate in recent presidential history but also significantly exceeded the inflation levels experienced during Trump's previous term. This data provided crucial context for voters evaluating the economic stewardship of both administrations.

During the campaign trail, Trump articulated specific and measurable economic goals. On August 9th, 2024, he declared: "Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again, to bring down the prices of all goods." His September 5th, 2024 address further elaborated on his economic vision: "We will bring our auto-making industry to the record levels of 37 years ago, and we'll be able to do it very quickly through tariffs and other smart use of certain things that we have that other countries don't." Additionally, he promised that "Energy is going to bring us back. That means we're going down and getting gasoline below $2 a gallon, bring down the price of everything from electricity rates to groceries, airfares, and housing costs."

The fundamental question facing the electorate was whether inflation could be effectively addressed or whether a new administration would be required to restore economic affordability. The American people ultimately expressed confidence that Trump would deliver superior results on inflation management.

Early Performance: Measuring Results Against Promises

An examination of Trump's early performance provides insight into whether campaign expectations are being met. Figure 2 (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/) illustrates the stark contrast between administrations. The Biden administration's inflation averages reveal consistently elevated rates: 2024 averaged 2.95%, 2023 reached 4.05%, 2022 peaked at 8.02%, and 2021 registered 4.77%. These figures demonstrate sustained inflationary pressure throughout the previous administration's term.

In contrast, Trump's first 100 days show a consistent downward trajectory: January 2025 began at 3.0%, February declined to 2.8%, March dropped further to 2.4%, and April reached 2.3%. This represents four consecutive months of declining inflation rates, suggesting early policy effectiveness.

Recent analysis by AOL in their article "5 Everyday Items That Could Get Cheaper After Trump's Trade Deal With China" provides insight into potential consumer benefits. Marty Bauer, director of sales and partnerships at Omnisend, explained: "At first glance, items that are typically made in China — phones, laptops and kitchen appliances — are the most likely to see price drops. Basic clothing like T-shirts and sneakers might get a bit cheaper too."

However, Trump's economic approach has not been without controversy or complexity. His tariff policies have generated significant debate among economists and policy analysts. Throughout the campaign, Trump consistently articulated his intention to address what he characterized as unfair trade practices. His approach centered on implementing tariffs to create what he termed "an even playing field" with countries that had been "ripping off America." The most prominent example of this strategy is the comprehensive China trade deal, which includes tariff rates exceeding 200% on Chinese goods.

The Manufacturing Renaissance: Unintended Economic Transformation

This tariff structure will inevitably impact consumer prices across multiple categories, including toys, apparel, appliances, household items, and automobiles. These sectors are experiencing and will continue to experience price increases as a direct result of the tariff implementation. However, the tariff strategy appears to be achieving its intended secondary effect of incentivizing domestic manufacturing investment. The policy has motivated numerous multinational corporations to relocate production facilities to the United States to circumvent tariff obligations.

The scale of corporate response has been substantial across multiple industries. In the automotive sector, Hyundai Motor Group committed $20 billion in investments, including a steel plant in Louisiana and comprehensive production localization efforts. Honda announced plans to transfer Civic production from Japan to the United States, with the Civic hybrid model potentially manufactured in Indiana. Mercedes-Benz confirmed the relocation of additional vehicle production to its Alabama manufacturing facility. Stellantis announced both the reopening of its Illinois plant for new pickup truck production and a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network. Toyota planned significant expansion of hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia facility.

The technology and pharmaceutical sectors have responded equally dramatically. Apple announced an unprecedented $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and workforce training initiatives. IBM pledged $150 billion toward U.S. manufacturing expansion, including research and development for computer manufacturing. Merck invested $1 billion to construct a new Delaware facility for Keytruda production. Eli Lilly committed at least $27 billion for new U.S. manufacturing sites to meet growing demand for weight loss and diabetes treatments while developing new pharmaceutical products. Samsung and LG are reportedly evaluating the relocation of their Mexican production facilities to the United States.

The current economic landscape presents a complex picture of competing forces. While household items continue to experience price pressures, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaching 2.7%, the simultaneous influx of manufacturing investment is generating positive economic effects. Companies are strategically establishing manufacturing plants in the United States to avoid tariff implications, creating a multi-faceted economic impact. This trend is simultaneously boosting employment opportunities, contributing to GDP growth, and reducing American dependence on foreign supply chains for goods and products. The strategy represents a calculated trade-off between short-term consumer price increases and long-term economic restructuring toward domestic production capacity.

The Border Crisis:

The Biden Administration's Border Challenge

The Biden administration faced significant border security challenges from 2021 to 2024, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data revealing concerning trends in illegal border crossings. According to official CBP statistics, over 55,000 illegal immigrants with criminal convictions from their countries of origin entered the United States during fiscal years 2021-2024. These convictions included serious offenses such as drug-related crimes, sexual assault, violence, and other criminal activities.(See: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics/criminal-alien-statistics)

The data shows a stark contrast in homicide and manslaughter cases involving illegal immigrants when comparing the Trump and Biden administrations. During Trump's presidency, the numbers remained relatively low: 3 cases in FY2017, 3 in FY2018, and 2 in FY2019. However, under the Biden administration, these figures increased dramatically to 60 cases in FY2021, 62 in FY2022, 29 in FY2023, and 24 in FY2024.

Border encounter statistics paint an even broader picture of the challenge. The House Homeland Security Committee reported that CBP recorded more than 10.8 million encounters nationwide since October 1, 2020, including over 8.72 million encounters at the Southwest border as of October 2024. Senator John Cornyn's office documented 7.8 million illegal border crossings, with at least 1.5 million known "gotaways" who evaded apprehension. The New York Post reported that almost 7.2 million migrants illegally crossed the southwest border during President Biden's time in office.

Vice President Kamala Harris was appointed to lead efforts addressing the root causes of migration from Mexico and Central America in March 2021. As House Homeland Security Chairman Mark K. Green noted: "On March 24, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that he was tapping Vice President Kamala Harris to 'lead our efforts' in working with Mexico and Central America to stem the flow of historic numbers of would-be illegal border crossers to the Southwest border. At the time, even the media gave Harris the title of 'border czar'. Despite this designation, the administration struggled to stem the historic flow of illegal border crossers during this period.

The Trump Administration's Immigration Enforcement Response

Following his return to office in January 2025, President Trump implemented immediate and comprehensive immigration enforcement measures that produced dramatic results within weeks. The new administration's approach focused on three key areas: border security, criminal deportations, and infrastructure development.

Border Security Results: Illegal border encounters dropped by 95% compared to the previous administration's peak levels. The number of "gotaways" - individuals who cross the border undetected - decreased by 99%, representing what immigration officials describe as the most significant threat reduction to public safety. Major news outlets documented the unprecedented decline: Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin noted, "If Fox were to send me down there right now, I would have trouble finding a single migrant on camera," while CBS immigration reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez observed, "We did not see a single migrant" during typical border reporting. Multiple major publications reported on this dramatic shift, including The Wall Street Journal ("Border Crossings Grind to Halt as Trump's Tough Policies Take Hold"), The New York Times ("How Trump's Hard-Line Tactics Are Driving Down Migration"), and Reuters ("Migrant arrests at US-Mexico border in March lowest ever recorded").

Criminal Gang Operations: The Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other criminal organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The Department of Justice charged 27 members or associates of Tren de Aragua with racketeering, narcotics, sex trafficking, robbery and firearms offenses. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reported: "Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens — including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang". Within the first 50 days, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 32,809 illegal immigrants, with nearly 75% being accused or convicted criminals⁶. Notable operations included ICE arresting 370+ illegal immigrants in Massachusetts, many with serious criminal convictions, including murder, child rape, fentanyl trafficking, and armed robbery⁶.

Deportation Operations: The administration initiated what officials called "the largest deportation operation in the history of our country," resulting in 139,000 deportations. The New York Post reported that "Trump's mass deportation raids result in 655% spike in arrests of terrorists roaming US — including one of India's 'most wanted'". The operation successfully targeted high-priority criminals, including MS-13 leaders and individuals wanted for multiple murders.

(Data above given by:White House. "PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT: Border Security Achieved in Fewer Than 100 Days." The White House, 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/promises-made-promises-kept-border-security-achieved-in-fewer-than-100-days/.)

Social Impact and Generational Divide

The aggressive enforcement policies have created significant social tensions, particularly affecting family units within immigrant communities. Deportation operations inevitably separate families, removing mothers, fathers, and children who had established lives in American communities, often taking jobs that some argue belong to American citizens while others contend they perform essential labor.

The humanitarian aspect of these policies has resonated strongly with younger Americans, particularly Generation Z, who have documented family separations and enforcement actions across social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Videos showing families being separated by ICE agents have generated widespread emotional responses and political opposition among young voters.

This generational divide is reflected in polling data, where Generation Z approval ratings for Trump's immigration policies hit a second-term low of 28% by July 2025. The stark contrast between the administration's claims of security success and the social media documentation of family separations has created a complex political dynamic.

The policy debate ultimately centers on competing priorities: public safety and national sovereignty versus humanitarian concerns and family unity. While the Trump administration points to dramatic reductions in illegal crossings and criminal arrests as evidence of policy success, critics argue that the human cost of enforcement, particularly its impact on established immigrant families and communities, represents an unacceptable social price.

This divide reflects broader questions about immigration policy in America: balancing security concerns with humanitarian values, addressing labor market needs while protecting American workers, and managing the complex reality of millions of undocumented immigrants who have built lives in American communities over decades.

Global Conflict:

Since returning to office, the Trump administration has made diplomatic efforts to end several global conflicts, with varying degrees of success and some of the administration's claims being disputed.

Russia and Ukraine

Regarding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump has made resolving the war a cornerstone of his foreign policy. While an initial campaign pledge to end the war within 24 hours was later characterized as an exaggeration, the administration has since set a deadline for a peace deal for early August 2025. The U.S. has notified the United Nations of its efforts, but peace negotiations have been slow, with Russia and Ukraine reportedly holding fundamentally different positions. A meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump was marked by a public exchange where a proposed deal involving Ukrainian minerals in exchange for military aid was discussed but not finalized. The meeting reportedly became contentious after Vice President J.D. Vance intervened, accusing Zelenskyy of being disrespectful for publicly discussing matters intended for private diplomacy.

Israel and Hamas

In the case of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the administration has focused on brokering a comprehensive deal. A proposal for a 60-day ceasefire was reportedly put forth, with an "all or nothing" approach aimed at securing the release of all hostages and a lasting end to hostilities. While negotiations are ongoing, a final peace agreement has not been reached.

The administration has also claimed to have played a role in de-escalating several other conflicts around the world. These include a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025, although India has denied any U.S. intervention, stating that the matter was resolved bilaterally. A ceasefire was also agreed upon between Israel and Iran in June 2025, with the U.S. mediating the deal and some analysts suggesting that a U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities contributed to the resolution. Other claimed achievements include ceasefires between Thailand and Cambodia, an agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and diplomatic efforts to prevent conflicts between Serbia and Kosovo and between Egypt and Ethiopia. Some of these claims, like the one concerning India and Pakistan, have been contested by the nations involved.