President Donald Trump reached his 100th day of his second term on April 29, 2025, with a series of bold accomplishments. On May 1, I had the privilege of hearing the President speak at the White House Rose Garden during America’s National Day of Prayer, attended by most of the Cabinet.
I sat behind Adi and Yael Alexander, parents of Edan Alexander, the last American citizen held hostage by Hamas believed to be alive. The President spoke at length about their plight and his efforts to free the hostages, describing the cruelty of Hamas in vivid detail. He noted that hostages were being held in a “pipe” with minimal air. Early in his term, he secured the release of 33 Israeli hostages (25 alive). Of the 50 hostages remaining, fewer than 24 are believed to be alive.
On Day 6 of his second term, President Trump announced a controversial relocation plan for Gaza, stating, “We’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing.”
President Trump has taken strong action against anti-Semitism on college campuses. On March 7, he withdrew $400 million in funding from Columbia University, prompting the institution to crack down on pro-Hamas protests and anti-Semitic activities. Mahmoud Khalil, a key instigator of the protests at Columbia, has been detained and faces deportation. Additionally, Trump has withheld $9 billion from Harvard University and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status unless it addresses anti-Semitism, though Harvard has yet to comply.
On his 101st day, President Trump signed a vital minerals deal with Ukraine, cementing a robust U.S.-Ukraine alliance. Despite its significance, this achievement has not received the recognition it deserves.
On Day 18, Trump announced plans to reduce the U.S.A.I.D. workforce from 10,000 to 290, citing estimates that the agency provided nearly $1 billion to Hamas.
As in his first term, President Trump cut all funding to UNRWA, pointing to its members’ participation in the October 7, 2023, atrocities. UNRWA held Israeli hostages in its facilities and stored missiles and munitions for Hamas. The U.S. contributed $343 million to UNRWA in 2022 and $422 million in 2023, all funded by American taxpayers. Trump also plans to cut $1.6 billion from the United Nations, which received $13 billion from the U.S. in 2023 (28% of its budget). He criticized the UN for fostering anti-American and anti-Israel sentiments.
At the Rose Garden, President Trump reported that enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces is at a high, a stark contrast to the recruitment challenges faced by the Army, Navy, and Air Force before his term began. He outlined plans to develop a “Golden Dome” missile defense system, invest heavily in space exploration, and create the next generation of F-47 fighter jets.
Trump has secured the U.S.-Mexico border, fulfilling a key campaign promise within his first 100 days. For seniors, he proposed a budget that eliminates taxes on Social Security benefits. On May 1, he also announced that tips and overtime pay would no longer be taxed, a move likely to resonate with many Americans.
During the National Day of Prayer, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Faith Office in the West Wing, underscoring his commitment to restoring faith in America and beyond.
President Trump’s decisive actions have set a clear tone for his second term. His supporters applaud these moves, while his critics continue to debate their implications.
Joseph M. Frager is a physician and lifelong activist.
