By Charles Switzer
2:58am PDT, Apr 23, 2025
Trump 2.0 Is Back and More Controversial Than Ever as 47th President Battles Higher Ed
The
Donald Trump administration recently threatened to
withhold federal funding from Harvard unless it met certain ideological demands, addressing both Harvard's president and board member
Penny Pritzker. Pritzker's family has a long history with Trump, dating back to a 1975 partnership that soured over financial disputes involving the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The bitter legal battle ended when Trump sold his share of the hotel in 1996.
In 2025, the Pritzkers, now involved with Harvard, resisted Trump's latest demands. Critics, including former auditor
Karen Burstein, see Trump's actions as part of his ongoing manipulative behavior.
The Trump administration's pressure on Harvard ties into the broader issue of ideological battles between the former president and academic institutions. Harvard's recent refusal to comply further highlights the growing divide between Trump's administration and higher education.
But this higher education showdown is just one of many headline-making moments for Trump in 2025. Keep reading to explore the former president's most explosive — and consequential — actions so far this year.
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Trump Defies Supreme Court
The second
Donald Trump administration is once again under fire — this time for potentially defying the rule of law.
Two federal judges are
weighing contempt charges against officials for what they describe as the administration's "willful disregard" of court orders in high-profile deportation cases involving Venezuelan and Salvadoran nationals.
One judge stated she's received "no real legal justification" for the government's inaction, and the controversy signals an escalating clash between the executive branch and the judiciary.
Trump Pardons January 6 Rioters
After becoming the 47th president of the United States in January, President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 defendants charged or convicted on counts tied to the infamous January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol.
"These people are incredible people," he said. "They were treated so unfairly, so horribly. Some of them didn't even go into the building."
Read more about this shocking executive action
here.
Trump Tried to End Birthright Citizenship
One of President Donald Trump's first actions as his second term commenced was an order to end birthright citizenship in the U.S.
In February, a federal judge in New Hampshire issued a preliminary injunction against President Trump's Executive Order 14160.
This decision marked the third such judicial block, following similar rulings in Seattle and Maryland, all emphasizing that the order contradicted the 14th Amendment and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, notably the 1898 decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark.
Read more about Trump's birthright citizenship push
here.
Trump Empowers Elon Musk's DOGE
In early 2025, President Donald Trump appointed
Elon Musk to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary initiative aimed at reducing federal spending and streamlining government operations.
Musk, serving as a special government employee, initially projected savings of up to $2 trillion but later adjusted expectations to $150 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
DOGE's aggressive cost-cutting measures have included significant layoffs and the termination of various programs, leading to public protests and criticism from lawmakers.
Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk's ongoing leadership roles in companies like Tesla and SpaceX, which have substantial government contracts.
Read more about Trump, Musk and DOGE
here.
Trump Attempts to Close Department of Education
President Donald Trump initiated significant changes to the U.S. Department of Education, aiming to reduce federal involvement in education and shift authority to states and local communities.
On March 20, he signed an executive order directing the department to begin dismantling its operations, a move aligned with conservative perspectives that view the department as an overreach into state affairs.
Linda McMahon was appointed as Secretary of Education with the explicit goal of overseeing the department's closure. The administration began implementing substantial staff reductions, offering early retirement incentives and planning to cut the workforce by approximately half.
Read more about it
here.
Trump Rolls Out 'Sweeping' International Tariffs on 'Liberation Day'
In April, President Donald Trump introduced a comprehensive tariff policy known as the "Liberation Day" tariffs, marking a significant shift in U.S. trade strategy.
Announced on April 2 and formalized through Executive Order 14257, the policy imposed a
universal 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports, with additional country-specific tariffs based on perceived trade imbalances and unfair practices.
For instance, China faced a cumulative tariff rate of 145 percent on its exports to the U.S.
Read more about the president's comprehensive set of tariffs
here.
