BY COMFORT OGBONNA
President Donald Trump and his administration will spotlight the accomplishments of his first 100 days in office this week while turning their focus to the next 100 days, emphasizing trade deals and peace talks, according to White House officials.
After a rapid pace of changes that have energized allies and unsettled adversaries, including shifts in social policies like transgender rights, one official hinted that Trump has “torpedoes” planned but did not elaborate on the specifics.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has implemented sweeping changes across a broad range of domestic and foreign policy priorities. He has disrupted the global economic order with tariffs, reduced the size of the federal government through job cuts, and eliminated diversity programs in both the public and private sectors. His actions have also extended to critiques of academia, law firms, and the judiciary.
This week, Trump plans to visit Michigan for a rally marking the 100-day milestone. The White House aims to emphasize his economic vision, the removal of undocumented immigrants, shifts in foreign policy, and efforts by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to streamline the federal bureaucracy and eliminate perceived waste.
Officials described this moment as a “conservative’s fantasy,” part of a broader victory lap around what they see as the unofficial launch of Trump’s second term. “Every morning I wake up, it’s like living in a dreamscape,” one official said.
While Trump officials praise the speed and scope of his agenda to remake American society, critics argue that he has infringed on the rights of citizens and non-citizens, alienated key allies, and jeopardized U.S. global leadership.
The administration has withheld university funding over alleged tolerance of anti-Semitism, curtailed transgender rights, and dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies and contractors—actions that have had widespread ripple effects.
Officials say more action is coming, describing “lots of torpedoes under the water.” Executive orders, a signature of Trump’s first 100 days, will continue to roll out like a “snowball rolling downhill,” according to one source. Among ongoing initiatives is a travel ban affecting citizens from multiple countries, although some efforts have faced resistance from the courts.
Judicial challenges have drawn sharp criticism from Trump’s allies, who accuse judges of obstructing the president’s agenda and the will of the electorate.
As Trump continues his battles with the judiciary and a federal bureaucracy he views as bloated and misaligned with his vision, another official said the next 100 days would see a heightened focus on finalizing trade deals and advancing peace talks.
Earlier this year, Trump initiated a broad trade war but paused reciprocal tariffs to pursue individual country negotiations, with the goal of securing agreements within 90 days. Experts are skeptical, noting that Trump has yet to finalize a single deal and that his statements, particularly regarding negotiations with China, often conflict with those of foreign governments.
Next month, Trump will embark on an extended overseas trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where he will continue efforts to broker peace in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Although he had vowed to resolve the conflict on “Day One,” peace remains elusive. Trump acknowledged on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have no intention of ending the war.