Tuesday, December 30, 2025

USA TODAY - Tue. December 30, 2025 - By Kathryn Palmer - Eight ways Trump changed America in 2025

 

On Politics

Tue Dec 30 2025

 

Kathryn Palmer |  Politics Reporter

@KathrynPlmr

Hello readers. Welcome back to On Politics. Kathryn Palmer here. Happy almost New Year's Eve.

Eight ways Trump changed America in 2025

Since he returned to the White House in January, Trump has instituted a series of policies that have been stunning in scope. He ordered the arrest and deportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants, sent the National Guard into the streets of some of the nation’s largest cities and directed the military to blow up boats at sea that his administration suspected of transporting drugs that are smuggled into the country. He instituted global tariffs, restructured several long-standing federal agencies, passed a massive spending bill, weaponized the Justice Department and feuded with several of the country's leading universities. He even renamed an international body of water. USA TODAY's Graphics team broke down some of Trump's biggest moves in 2025 and their impact on the nation.

Trump promo

Illustration by Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY

Photos by USA TODAY, Getty Images and Reuters

A politics roundup:

Video: Russia claims Ukraine attacked Putin's presidential residence, but Zelenskyy denies it
US forces and allies killed or captured nearly 25 Islamic State operatives in retaliation for attack
Yes, 2026 marks Trump's first full year back in the White House
Trump says Hamas must disarm and threatens there will be "hell to pay" if it doesn't comply

Gallery: See Trump, Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, where they discussed Iran, Gaza

Judge OKs administration to share Medicaid data with ICE

A federal judge yesterday ruled the Trump administration can resume sharing some Medicaid patients' data with immigration authorities. The decision delivers a win for the White House's aggressive deportation efforts. The judge said the federal government can legally share "basic biographical, location, and contact information" with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for comprehensive Medicaid coverage, but, some can receive treatment for life-saving procedures in emergency rooms through Emergency Medicaid, and can receive some state-funded benefits regardless of their immigration status. The Trump administration has pushed for agencies across the federal government to share more information with immigration authorities to ramp up the president's deportation efforts.

Trump to receive Israel Prize in break from tradition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday his country plans to award the Israel Prize to Trump, breaking with tradition to honor a non-Israeli and marking the first time the annual prize will go to another country's president. Netanyahu announced Trump as a recipient of the Israel Prize ‒ the state of Israel's highest civilian honor ‒ shortly after the two leaders met at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The move comes after Trump was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize in October, despite actively lobbying for the prestigious award. He also won the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize in December, which triggered an ethics challenge by a human rights group.

Thanks for reading On Politics. Scroll down for more stories. Reach me at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @ KathrynPlmr.

President Donald Trump attends a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025.

President Donald Trump said he expects to announce his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in January, a highly anticipated moment.

The Cookers are pictured
 

Jazz band cancels New Year's Eve performance at Trump-Kennedy Center

The last-minute cancellation follows the controversial Dec. 18 decision to rename the music, arts, and cultural institution to include President Trump.

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani attends a press conference in New York City on Dec. 20, 2025.
 

Zohran Mamdani bio: Age, hometown, family, more on NYC's new mayor

Zohran Mamdani is New York City's new mayor. Here's what to know about him, including his age and family life.

The skyline of Boston is reflected in a sign for the federal courthouse, where a judge is considering whether to continue to block immigration authorities from taking action against Boston University student Huadan Zheng after the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump removed her records from a database used to confirm compliance with student visa conditions, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., April 25, 2025.
 REUTERS/Amanda Sabga
 

Judge halts end of deportation protections for South Sudanese

A U.S. District judge granted an emergency request by several South Sudanese nationals to prevent their temporary protected status from expiring.

President Donald Trump talks to the media as he welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.
 

Trump says pardon for Netanyahu is 'on its way,' but Herzog denies claim

President Trump said Israeli President Isaac Herzog informed him that he plans to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu amid a long-running corruption trial.

 

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