Promises Made, Promises Kept: President Trump Fulfilling the America First Mandate

“The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.” — President Donald Trump, 2025 Inauguration.

It has been one year since President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States and vowed to fulfill the mandate of the American people for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America.

The golden age of America is now, with record-breaking drops in the cost of living, a restored and depoliticized justice system, a stronger military projecting peace around the world, and historic lows in illegal immigration and human and drug trafficking. President Trump has relentlessly put America first over the past year, courageously fighting those who would see America’s downfall and fulfilling the overwhelming mandate of the American people to Make America Great Again.

The One Big Beautiful Bill: Tax Cuts and Increased National Security for the Everyday American

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, stands as the hallmark legislative achievement of his second term so far, delivering on his core campaign promises to strengthen America’s economy, secure its borders, and restore national greatness.

This sweeping, once-in-a-generation legislation delivered substantial tax cuts for working and middle-class families, including economic relief such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, as well as increasing the child tax credit, which put thousands of dollars back into the pockets of everyday Americans.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) projects substantial economic gains from the One Big Beautiful Bill in the next four years after becoming law. Wages could rise by $4,000 to $7,200 per worker annually, while a typical American family of four might see after-tax take-home pay increase by $7,600 to $10,900 per year.

The CEA estimates real investment would grow 7.3% to 10.2%, with real GDP levels rising 4.6% to 4.9% above baseline, equivalent to roughly 1.1 to 1.2 percentage points of additional annual growth. The package would protect or create 6.9 to 7.2 million full-time equivalent jobs while reducing deficits by as much as $11.1 trillion total. In total, this historic legislation would raise $5.2 trillion from economic growth, $2.8 trillion from tariff revenue, $1.6 trillion from discretionary spending cuts, and $1.5 trillion from interest savings.

It also fortified America’s defense and national security with billions of dollars in increased funding and investment in modern military capabilities, while providing unprecedented resources for border security and immigration enforcement to uphold the rule of law and protect communities.

By extending Trump-era tax reforms, investing in American industry, and prioritizing fiscal responsibility, the bill embodied the America First mandate and delivered concrete results toward the goal of making America more prosperous, secure, and respected around the world.

Liberation Day Tariffs: Revolutionizing Trade and Manufacturing

The Liberation Day tariffs, announced by President Trump in April 2025, marked a decisive turning point in U.S. trade policy and fulfilled a central campaign promise to put American workers, manufacturers, and national sovereignty first.

By imposing reciprocal tariffs on foreign nations that for decades exploited unequal trade arrangements, President Trump reasserted America’s economic independence and sent a clear message that the United States would no longer tolerate unfair trade practices that hollowed out domestic industry.

The tariffs incentivized companies to reshore manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and invest in American labor, while generating new federal revenue and forcing global trading partners back to the negotiating table.

The tariff policies produced significant economic benefits in 2025 by drastically reducing the trade deficit and securing trillions of dollars in investments. In the third quarter, real exports grew by a 4.1% annual rate and imports fell by around 5%, adding about 1% to real GDP growth. In addition, the trade deficit was cut by more than half in November compared to the same month the previous year, fueled by soaring tariff revenues.

The administration secured more than $5 trillion in new private and foreign investments in the first 100 days, creating more than 450,000 new jobs for Americans. Tariff revenues topped $31 billion in August, bringing the total to $158 billion for the calendar year.

Major manufacturers announced investments in American industry in response to the historic tariff policies. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company committed an unprecedented $100 billion investment for semiconductor manufacturing, while Apple announced a $500 billion investment, creating 20,000 jobs. Overall, the administration secured nearly $2 trillion in total new investments, outcomes attributed to tariffs that incentivized domestic investment while addressing the longstanding trade deficit.

The historic Liberation Day tariffs symbolized the end of one-sided globalization and the restoration of a level playing field for American businesses, advancing Trump’s pledge to rebuild U.S. manufacturing, protect jobs, and ensure that America trades from a position of strength rather than submission.

Peace Through Strength: Rebuilding National Security and Peace Around the World

President Trump's foreign policy has put America First through a robust “peace through strength” approach, prioritizing U.S. security and economic interests while deterring adversaries through decisive action rather than endless entanglements.

President Trump has been a force for peace around the world, ending multiple wars, recently presented with the Nobel Peace Prize by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The Trump Administration brokered peace deals between Israel and Gaza, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Cambodia and Thailand, India and Pakistan, and other disputes, contributing to a new era where international law is respected and human lives are saved.

In combating narco-terrorism, the Trump Administration orchestrated the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and disrupted drug cartel networks that flood American communities with fentanyl and other illicit substances, thereby safeguarding U.S. borders and reducing the opioid crisis that costs American lives.

This resolve extended to brokering a historic Israel-Gaza ceasefire, where Trump's unwavering support for Israel, coupled with targeted diplomatic pressure on Hamas and its backers, including Iran, ended hostilities, fostering Middle East stability that also secures vital trade routes and energy supplies critical to America's economy.

Protecting America’s Borders: Combating Illegal Immigration, Drug, and Human Trafficking

In its first year, the Trump Administration delivered historic results. According to the White House and Department of Homeland Security, illegal immigration fell to net-zero or negative levels, marking the first time in decades that more illegal aliens left the United States than entered. Continuing this unprecedented trend, more than 2.5 million illegal aliens left the U.S. in under a year, including over 605,000 formal removals by law enforcement and an estimated nearly 2 million voluntary self-deportations.

At the border itself, enforcement outcomes reached unprecedented levels. Customs and Border Protection recorded record-low illegal border encounters, including just 6,070 southwest border encounters in June 2025, while border releases dropped to zero for six to seven consecutive months, a stark contrast to prior years when tens of thousands were released monthly into America.

These results sharply reduced the flow of illegal immigration into American cities, cutting off major trafficking and fentanyl routes that depend on mass unlawful crossings. By stopping illegal immigration at the source, the administration eased pressure on local law enforcement and public services and fulfilled President Trump’s promise to secure the border and make America’s communities safer.

Fulfilling the America First Mandate: Continuing the Fight

The Trump Administration has made significant strides over the past year, fulfilling the America First mandate and turning it into reality. CPAC is confident that the coming year will continue this progress, with our centers coordinating with officials to develop strategies and offer policy recommendations.

Through the landmark One Big Beautiful Bill, the strategic implementation of Liberation Day Tariffs, and a resolute “peace through strength” foreign policy, the administration has fundamentally reshaped the nation’s economic and security landscape.

By achieving net-zero illegal immigration and restoring American manufacturing, President Trump has not only addressed the immediate concerns of the working class but has also laid the foundation for the “Golden Age” promised at his inauguration.

As the United States reclaims its position of global respect and domestic prosperity, the past twelve months stand as a testament to the power of a clear mandate and the enduring strength of the American spirit.