President-elect Trump Secures Second Term After Defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 Election
Donald Trump has clinched a second term as President of the United States, overcoming Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s return to the White House marks his comeback after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden. He first rose to the presidency in 2016, defeating Democratic rival and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
Four years after leaving office, Trump launched his third presidential campaign in 2022, shortly after the midterm elections. His 2024 campaign largely focused on familiar themes, such as securing the U.S. border and boosting the economy, while also promising new approaches based on lessons from his first term.
Reflecting on his initial time in office, Trump noted the difference in his political connections now versus his first term. “I didn’t know anybody,” he said in an October interview with Sean Hannity. “I was not a Washington person. I was rarely there. Now, I know everybody—the good, the strong, the weak, the stupid. And we’re going to make this country great again.”
Key Agenda for Trump’s Second Term
As Trump prepares to re-enter the Oval Office, his top priorities include fortifying border security, overhauling the immigration system, and revitalizing the economy. His first presidency saw significant actions in trade, judicial appointments, military investments, border control, and criminal justice reform.
Highlights from Trump’s First Term
- Trade and Economic Policies: Trump’s administration implemented tariffs on foreign aluminum and steel, negotiated new trade agreements with countries like Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea, and signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the largest tax reform package in U.S. history.
- Judicial Appointments: Over 240 federal judges were confirmed during Trump’s first term, including three Supreme Court Justices—Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh.
- Military and Veterans Support: Trump’s administration invested heavily in defense, including a $1.3 trillion spending bill, and established the Space Force, the first new military branch since 1947. Support for veterans was bolstered through initiatives like the VA Mission Act and the “Forever GI Bill.”
- Border Security: The construction of over 400 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and the end of the “catch-and-release” policy were key components of his immigration strategy.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Trump signed the First Step Act to improve criminal justice outcomes and launched the Ready to Work initiative to connect former prisoners with job opportunities.
- Opioid Crisis: Declaring the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, Trump’s administration invested $320 million into prevention, treatment, and enforcement measures.
- Foreign Policy: Notable achievements included moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, exiting the Iran nuclear deal, and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump also made advancements on energy projects like the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines.
Looking Ahead: Second Term Focus
Trump has vowed to build upon the policies and issues of his first term while introducing changes based on his expanded political network. Key areas of focus will include enhancing national security, stimulating economic growth, and prioritizing public health. A significant shift is the involvement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who endorsed Trump and joined his campaign. Kennedy is expected to take on a leading role in overseeing public health agencies, including HHS, CDC, FDA, and NIH, to drive reforms in this critical sector.
“We’re going to fix our borders,” Trump declared after his victory, “and we’re going to fix everything about our country. Tonight, we’ve made history for a reason.” As he enters his second term, Trump’s administration is set to revisit many of the policies that defined his earlier presidency, aiming for a renewed impact on the nation’s future.
