What has changed since Trump was elected?

Political Landscape & Governance

1. Executive Power and Institutional Norms

• Trump's tenure has seen a notable expansion of executive authority. Critics highlight efforts to manipulate or suppress government data, including firing statistical officials and altering public health, climate, and education reporting—raising alarms about undermining democratic norms.The Washington PostThe New Yorker

• In his second term, federal power has been notably centralized: deployment of federal agents and National Guard in D.C., extended beyond statutory limits amid protests and unrest, drawing comparisons to authoritarian overreach.The Guardian+1

• The rollback of Biden-era antitrust directives in favor of a less regulated, more business-friendly approach reflects a marked shift in administrative philosophy.Reuters

2. Institutions and Democracy

• Trump-era governance has featured efforts to reshape narratives—such as redistricting for partisan advantage, censoring historical records, and redirecting funding for media outlets like Voice of America—prompting concerns over weakening institutional checks.The GuardianAP News

• Internationally, the second-term administration has doubled down on withdrawing or reducing support for multilateral organizations, including the WHO, UN Human Rights Council, and rejoining selective agreements like the Geneva Consensus Declaration.Carnegie EndowmentWikipedia

Economy & Trade

3. Tax Policy and Deficits

• The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act slashed rates for corporations and individuals and expanded credits and deductions. Its extensions through 2025 and beyond are projected to add trillions to the deficit, raising fiscal sustainability concerns.Wikipedia

4. Trade Protectionism Returns

• Following his 2016 campaign promises, Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports—from China and key allies—and withdrew from agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, significantly reshaping U.S. trade posture.CIRSD

• In 2024 and beyond, he signaled intentions for even broader tariff application, such as a universal 10% import tax, potentially increasing costs for American households.CIRSDcampaignnow.com

Environment & Energy Policy

5. Climate Rollbacks Accelerated

• Both presidential terms pushed a rollback of environmental protections: withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, easing emissions regulations, dismantling key federal climate and pollution tracking efforts, and freezing significant climate funding.Wikipedia+1

• Executive actions exempted hundreds of industrial plants from toxic-emission limits, raising public health concerns.Wikipedia

6. Clean Energy and Resilience

• Removal of ESG support, scaling back of IRS tax credits, and suppression of emissions tracking threaten renewable energy adoption. Projections estimate rooftop solar installations could fall by nearly half by 2030.AxiosForbes

• Yet, persistent state-level and market-driven demand—especially in red states—continues to sustain clean energy momentum.Forbes

7. EPA and Regulatory Rollbacks

• Reversing foundational climate protections, including the 2009 Endangerment Finding that underpins air quality standards, injects regulatory uncertainty and could chill investments in green sectors.Reuters

• Streamlining environmental reviews under NEPA via executive orders accelerated infrastructure permits, prompting debates over environmental safeguards.Wikipedia+1

Social Policy & Civil Rights

8. Law Enforcement & Policing

• The second term's militarized response to civil unrest—including extended federal deployment in D.C.—sparked concern among rights advocates about civil liberties.AP NewsThe Guardian

9. Healthcare, Reproduction, and Media

• Moves to defund Planned Parenthood and reshape public media platforms reflect a broader trend of aligning federal policies with conservative constituencies.The GuardianAP News

10. Civil Engagement and Polarization

• Trump’s polarizing leadership galvanized voter engagement across the spectrum—evident in rising turnout in the 2018 and 2020 elections, and shifting demographics in his 2024 re-election campaign.Redditcampaignnow.com

  
  

Summary Table

Domain	Key Changes Since Trump’s Election
Political Power	Expanded executive authority, institutional tension
Trade & Economy	Tax cuts and deregulation; renewed protectionism
Environment	Regulatory rollbacks; climate resistance
Energy	Clean energy challenged; state markets persist
Civil Policy	Centralized policing, defunding of social and cultural institutions
Democracy & Rights	Polarization rising, civic engagement reshaped

To summarize.

Since Trump’s first election in 2016, the U.S. has experienced profound shifts in governance, economic policy, environmental regulation, and civil discourse. His leadership style and executive choices have redefined norms, often prompting pushback from institutions and citizens alike. While his supporters emphasize deregulation and national sovereignty, critics worry about erosion of democratic norms and data integrity. The ongoing effects—through institutions, elections, and public mobilization—are shaping a new, contested era of American politics.