19 February 2025

In their ruling on presidential immunity last year, the US Supreme Court highlighted that, “the Framers designed the Presidency to provide for a ‘vigorous’ and ‘energetic’ Executive.” Supporters and detractors largely agree that his first 30 days in office have been just that.

President Trump’s 68 executive orders since taking office (compared to 32 at this point for President Biden and 15 at this point for President Obama) cover a wide swathe of issues from establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to withdrawing from international organisations and agreements. DOGE has moved to slash federal workforces through mass redundancies and even attempted to shut down whole agencies like USAID.

At the same time, he has pushed for new “deals” to end global conflicts including negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas and pushing forward with talks with Russian President Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine while also implementing sweeping tariffs to negotiate more favourable trade balances.

Most of the 68 executive orders have been met with multiple legal challenges that are currently making their way through the courts while international allies and partners have pushed back on tariffs, accepting immigrants and the negotiations with Russia without Ukraine. However, his approval rating remains near an all-time high, even though it is lower than any of his predecessors in the first month, except for his own ratings in his first term.

With this ‘flood the zone’ approach scuppering the ability of people to effectively coalesce around an issue to challenge him, so far, his high-risk, high-reward strategy seems to be delivering what he wanted.

Mari Koeck
Director, Engagement and Impact

"I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it’s going very well."

President Donald Trump at a press conference in Florida | 18 February 2025

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Upcoming events

PUBLIC FORUM

US-China competition: AI, chips and export controls — where to next?

Kevin J. Wolf and Dr Alan Dupont AO join Hayley Channer to discuss how governments and the private sector can coordinate to address rising concerns around technology competition.

6:00-7:00pm AEDT
24 February

Level 5 Function Room, The Michael Spence Building (F23) at the University of Sydney

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WEBINAR

US export controls, AUKUS and Australia

Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Kevin J. Wolf joins USSC Research Fellow Tom Corben to discuss US export controls reforms and what it means for Australia and the AUKUS enterprise.