President Trump's first year back in office brought a whirlwind of new political news in 2025.
There was a major legislative victory for the White House, wins for Democrats in elections and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The ugly specter of political violence also surfaced.
Trump's first year back
Trump vowed to change the nation and disrupt the status quo upon his return to office, and he didn't wait long to do so after being sworn into office Jan. 20.
The president's first year included a crackdown on immigration, the introduction of sweeping tariffs and efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce.
Hours after taking office, Trump signed executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in business and higher education; reduced prescription drug costs; and repealed green energy alternatives in favor of coal and gas, among several others.
Trump won office in part because of Biden's problems with the economy. The new president repeatedly said he had "inherited a total mess" from his predecessor.
But as the year closed, it appeared Trump would face challenges similar to his predecessor in convincing voters his policies were doing enough to keep prices affordable.
Longest government shutdown in U.S. history
The government shut down for 42 days on Oct. 1 after Democrats in the Senate blocked a House GOP funding bill that did not extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expiring at the end of the year.
It was the longest shutdown in U.S. history, and it only ended after eight Senate Democrats broke from their party to pass a GOP spending bill.
The split angered other Democrats, thought the party was successful through the shutdown in highlighting healthcare and the expiring subidies.
Healthcare is set to be a major issue in the midterm elections, where Democrats are hopeful they can take back the House majority.
In the meantime, much of the government will shut down on Jan. 31 unless the parties agree to a new deal to keep it funded.
Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck and killed while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, a shocking moment that raised new concerns about political violence in the country.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and now faces death penalty charges over Kirk's killing.
The killing was just the latest instance of violence against political figures, a string that includes the attempted assassination of Trump in 2024 and the killings of a former Minnesota state House Speaker and her husband over the summer.
The killing of Kirk hit hard at the White House, where many knew and admired the conservative activist. Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, has since appeared frequently at the White House and seen her own position in political circles rise to the point where she has been discussed as a future vice presidential candidate.
Release of the Epstein files
A handful of Republicans joined Democrats in backing a discharge petition in November to force the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all of its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The White House opposed the release until Trump abruptly shifted his position as it became clear momentum was wildly behind the release. He ended up signing the legislation after it was passed in sweeping fashion by both chambers.
Thirty days later, DOJ released a partial cache of files. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), co-sponsors of the bill, accused DOJ of breaking the law by not releasing all of the files at once.
DOJ said more documents will be released but it has not stopped lawmakers from accusing the Trump administration of hiding incriminating information connected to Trump, who once had a relationship with Epstein. The president has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein's crimes.
Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
Trump championed a massive reconciliation package he dubbed the "one big, beautiful bill," which he signed into law on the Fourth of the July. Part of the bill extended tax cuts passed in his first term that were set to expire later in 2025.
The bill's passage was a major legislative victory for Trump. The legislation also eliminates some taxes on tipped wages, includes a $150 billion increase in funding for a border wall, cuts to low-income health and nutrition programs, and expands domestic oil, coal and natural gas production in the U.S.
Democrats slammed the legislation as a "big, ugly bill," but it passed 218-214 in the House and Vice President Vance broke the 50-50 tie in the Senate.
Polls, however, suggest the bill is not terribly popular with voters, which has left Republicans saying the White House must do a better job of selling it.
Boat strikes and escalation with Venezuela
The Trump administration dialed up tensions with Venezuela's government led by President Nicolás Maduro. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have led a campaign to militarily pressure Venezuela, deploying a blockade off the country's coast and launching strikes at alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean heading to the United States.
One series of strikes in September led some Democratic lawmakers to question whether the Defense officials, including Hegseth, allegedly committed a war crime. Hegseth faced Democratic pressure for the strikes, including calls to resign, despite support from GOP lawmakers.
Maduro has pleaded for peace, with Trump warning that the U.S. will take action by land "very soon." The seizures of two oil tankers and a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)-conducted drone strike have further affected worsening relations between the two countries.
Cuts by Elon Musk and DOGE
Trump entered office with tech billionaire Elon Musk directing the newly-created DOGE to slash $1 trillion in spending and reduce the federal workforce.
Though not a Cabinet position, Musk frequently attended meetings and spoke with reporters about DOGE's efforts. He also memorably appeared at a conservative conference while displaying a chainsaw, underscoring his desire to cut into the government.
Congress approved DOGE's cuts, which included slashing federal funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting. But DOGE also met with criticism, and Musk reportedly had battles internally with other Trump officials.
It all culminated in a public falling-out with Trump that saw Musk and the president battle over social media as Musk left his position.
Since then, the two have appeared to reconcile, which the Washington Post this week credited in part to Vice President Vance.
Supreme Court becomes backstop for Trump
The Supreme Court approved several of the president's initiatives during his first year back, from narrow issues like gender identity on passports to broader issues such as the ability of lower courts to issue rulings that affect the nation.
The court maintains a conservative majority, with three of Trump's first appointments still serving as justices.
What remains in question going into 2026 is whether the court will grant Trump more victories. The justices blocked Trump from deploying the National Guard before Christmas, and are now expected to rule on the president's tariff agenda. Trump has argued that if the court does not rule favorably on his tariffs, it would put the country's national security at risk.
Democrats win 2025 elections
Democrats had a good end of the year with big wins as New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) and Miami Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins (D) took their cities and former Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) won gubernatorial races in their states.
In California, voters backed a state measure to redraw the Golden State's map to favor Democrats in response to Trump's redistricting efforts in red states in order for the GOP to maintain control of the House.
Various commentators said Democrats won on affordability. Trump suggested the government shutdown, which ended less than a week later, made Republicans unpopular and gave weight to the Democratic victories.
Feud between Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene
The split between Trump and longtime ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) exploded following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Greene was critical of Trump's opposition to the bill and argued in favor of Epstein's alleged victims and accountability.
Trump accused Greene of being a "traitor" and threatened to primary her, withdrawing his support of the Georgia Republican. Greene announced she would resign from Congress in January.
Both have continued their criticisms of each other. The president has called her "Marjorie Traitor Brown" when talking to supporters while Greene has accused Trump of being the "leader" of the toxic political culture in the U.S.