Trump Sets Stage for No-Holds-Barred Congressional Address

President Donald Trump of the United States hinted that his upcoming address to Congress will be direct and unfiltered. "Tomorrow night is going to be huge! I'm going to tell it like it is," he declared on social media this Monday. This announcement has stirred anticipation regarding his Tuesday appearance before a joint session of Congress, with numerous pressing issues on the docket, including the Ukraine conflict and the ensuing debates.

A significant portion of his speech is expected to focus on his plan to overhaul the government via the Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk. This initiative has led to the termination of tens of thousands of federal employees and the closure of several agencies, sparking numerous legal battles. Another focal point will likely be tariffs, with immigration policy also anticipated to feature prominently. Since reclaiming power, Trump has suspended the asylum process at the southern border and has sought to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, a move blocked by two federal judges.

It is clear that Trump's speech—his first major primetime appearance since retaking office—will be closely watched by both supporters and critics amid a backdrop of political and economic tension in the United States.

Trump Shakes Up the U.S. and Beyond in Just 30 Days

In the first month since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has unleashed a barrage of measures that have dramatically impacted the political, economic, and social landscapes of the United States and the world.

Mass deportations, aggressive trade tariffs, a disruptive foreign policy, and contentious alliances are just some of the most controversial actions taken by the New York magnate at the start of his term.

A Month Marked by Controversy

"The golden era of America begins now," Trump declared on January 20, during his inauguration. His return to power has been anything but subtle, with the signing of 73 executive orders. These orders cover a range of issues, including pardons for Capitol riot participants, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, firing Biden-era prosecutors, and restricting transgender participation in women's sports.

Mass Deportations and Renewed Immigration Crackdown

Among Trump's first actions was declaring a national emergency at the Mexican border. He ordered the deployment of 15,000 troops to "secure" the southern border and initiated mass detentions of undocumented immigrants, with over 1,000 deported in just a month. In a more controversial move, he reactivated the Guantánamo Bay naval base in Cuba to house undocumented immigrants, with a capacity for 30,000 detainees.

The initial deportees have already been sent to countries like Guatemala and Colombia, following diplomatic pressure accompanied by threats of trade tariffs.

Aggressive Tariffs and Global Trade Wars

Trump's economic policy has been dominated by tariff impositions. On February 1, he announced a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, contingent on concessions in border control and anti-narcotics efforts. China, one of his main targets, faced 10% tariffs that could escalate to 60%. In retaliation, China imposed tariffs of 10 to 15% on American products. The European Union has not been spared either, as Trump has decreed reciprocal tariffs to match those applied by European countries on U.S. goods.

Disruptive Foreign Policy: Ukraine and Gaza

In his promise to end the war in Ukraine, Trump has taken controversial steps. He proposed continuing military support to Kiev in exchange for access to strategic minerals. Additionally, his rapprochement with Russia has sidelined the European Union from negotiations, leaving Ukraine in a vulnerable position. Tensions have escalated with fiery remarks against Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has labeled a "dictator."

In Gaza, Trump has proposed transforming the Strip into a "Middle Eastern Riviera," forcibly relocating the Palestinian population. This plan, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been harshly criticized by the international community.

Sanctions on Cuba and Key Migration Programs Suspended

Following his return to the presidency, Donald Trump implemented measures impacting U.S.-Cuba relations and Cuban migration. On January 20, 2025, his first day in office, Trump reversed Joe Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. In addition to reinstating Cuba on this list, the Trump administration has intensified economic sanctions against the island, including additional trade and financial restrictions aimed at pressuring the Cuban government.

Companies like Western Union have ceased operations in Cuba, affecting remittance flows. Trump signed executive orders eliminating the humanitarian parole program, which allowed legal entry and temporary stay for migrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The CBP One app, used for managing asylum requests and other immigration processes, has also been deactivated, leaving thousands of migrants in legal limbo, uncertain about their status in the U.S.

The latest blow to Cuban immigrants has been the "administrative pause" on migration processing for hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries of programs like humanitarian parole and family reunification. This suspension, justified by concerns over fraud and security, leaves those hoping to regularize their status in uncertainty regarding their future in the United States.

More Controversial Measures

Environmental policies have also taken a drastic turn, with the removal of regulations that restricted oil and gas extraction. Under the slogan "Drill, baby, drill!", Trump has pushed an energy agenda that ignores climate change warnings. He signed an executive order granting the White House unprecedented control over independent regulatory agencies established by Congress.

Moreover, he ended federal assistance for undocumented immigrants and sought to eliminate birthright citizenship. In the labor sector, he ordered mass layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amid growing concerns about increasing air accidents. He also proposed the immediate closure of the Department of Education and dismantled energy efficiency regulations previously imposed by Joe Biden's administration.

Elon Musk: The New Powerhouse in the White House

Elon Musk has emerged as a key figure in the new administration. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he has driven the closure of federal agencies and a massive reduction in staff, with 75,000 officials already out of the system. The elimination of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) marks the end of traditional U.S. international cooperation.

Musk has also implemented a system to audit public spending to reduce the $2 trillion fiscal deficit.

Withdrawal from International Agreements and Global Tensions

In an isolationist move, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Human Rights Council. He also suspended U.S. participation in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Additionally, he declassified files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., a measure that could unveil secrets kept hidden for decades.

A First Month That Has Changed the Global Landscape

Trump's initial month has redefined global geopolitical alliances, strained trade relations with traditional partners, and heightened the risk of international conflicts. His "America First" policy has translated into a unilateral approach that challenges the multilateral relationships that have historically defined Washington's global position. With 47 months ahead, the world watches with uncertainty how far Trump will go in his attempt to transform not only the United States but the global order.