President Donald Trump commenced his second term amid a nation polarized by politics and varied public opinion on his leadership. According to Gallup, his approval ratings demonstrated a notable split, with 47% approval and 48% disapproval recorded in January 2025. However, these numbers have reportedly declined, especially following Trump’s controversial recent action of capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
Polling data indicates substantial discontent among Venezuelans, with one in three indicating approval for Maduro’s removal. With Trump’s approval ratings dropping to 36% and disapproval surging to 59% in December, it suggests deepening dissatisfaction as his administration tackles a series of contentious policies, including stringent immigration enforcement across multiple states, deploying National Guard troops to U.S. cities, and imposing tariffs that have affected nationwide pricing.
As Trump navigates the second year of his presidency, insights from USA TODAY reveal how his approval figures compare to those of previous presidents. Typically, new presidents experience a “honeymoon” period marked by high approval ratings; however, Trump’s initial numbers lag behind those of recent occupants of the White House. Notably, President George W. Bush saw a significant boost in approval ratings following the attacks on September 11, 2001.
In terms of employment, the unemployment rate saw a rise to 4.6% in November, marking a four-year high influenced by challenges in job acquisition and the ongoing repercussions of 317,000 reductions in the federal workforce. Furthermore, the national debt experienced a considerable surge, increasing from $36.2 trillion to $38.4 trillion during Trump’s first year—an uptick of $2.2 trillion that signals potential economic implications, including slower growth and higher interest rates, as reported by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Trump’s administration has also set a record for executive action, with 225 executive orders signed in 2025 alone, focusing on foreign policy, immigration, and tariffs. This figure is notable, albeit still below the total of 568 orders issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933 during a time of crisis.
The Trump administration has navigated unprecedented governmental hurdles, including the 43-day federal government shutdown, noted as the longest in U.S. history, alongside another 35-day shutdown during his earlier term in 2019. Despite some economic growth reported in the third quarter, the shutdowns have posed challenges to job growth and overall economic stability.
Through these turbulent developments, the framework of Trump’s second term indicates significant policy shifts alongside challenges that will undoubtedly shape the fabric of American political and economic landscapes moving forward.