With President Donald Trump nearly one year into his second term, here are 10 things people might be thankful for (or see as potential positives) – based on his stated second-term agenda, policy proposals, and actions:
1. Big Push on AI / Technology Leadership
He’s rolled out an “AI Action Plan” that deregulates parts of the AI industry, accelerates data center approval, and boosts U.S. competitiveness in AI. This could lead to more U.S.-based investment in tech infrastructure and innovation.
2. Energy Price Reduction
Trump is prioritizing fossil fuel production (oil, gas) by cutting back on environmental regulations. He has promised to significantly lower energy prices, which could help middle-class households.
3. Regulatory Rollbacks / Less Red Tape
Across the board, his second-term agenda aims to cut regulations – especially in energy, housing, and infrastructure. For businesses, this could mean fewer bureaucratic hurdles and potentially more economic dynamism.
4. Federal Workforce Restructuring (“Deep State” Push)
He plans to reclassify many federal employees, making it easier to remove them, in a bid to reduce what he and his allies call “deep state” influence. Some may view this as a way to remake the government to be more responsive to citizens, rather than entrenched bureaucrats.
5. Tougher Immigration Policies
Promises include mass deportations, ideological screening at borders, and ending birthright citizenship. For those prioritizing strict immigration enforcement, this is a key win.
6. Education Reform
He proposes to eliminate or deeply reform the Department of Education.
He also wants to use federal funding to pressure schools to drop tenure, “woke” curricula, and certain ideological programs. There’s a plan for an “American Academy” – a new online college-style credentialing system that he claims will be non-political.
7. Protecting Social Security & Medicare (Promise)
Despite other aggressive policy changes, he has said he won’t cut Social Security or Medicare. He also proposes not taxing things like tips and overtime in a way that he argues helps working-class people.
8. Trade Protectionism / Economic Sovereignty
Trump is pushing tariffs (he’s floated 10-20%) on foreign goods and a more nationalistic trade policy. He wants to restrict foreign investment in critical U.S. infrastructure, especially from China. There is talk of a new “Mar-a-Lago Accord” to address trade imbalances.
9. Infrastructure & Population Policy Incentives
According to some analysis, his transportation/infrastructure policy may link federal funding to counties’ marriage and birth rates.
This could be seen by his supporters as an encouragement for family-friendly policies.
10. Rescinding “Woke” and Diversity-Oriented Policies
On Day One, he signed an order (EO 14148) that rescinded a number of Biden-era executive orders around DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion), environmental regulation, and border policy. He also wants to roll back DEI programs more broadly in education and government.
