100 Days of MAGA: A New Standard for Presidential Action

For nearly a century, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first 100 days in office—marked by sweeping New Deal reforms during the depths of the Great Depression—have stood as the benchmark for presidential productivity. FDR called a special session of Congress, passed 15 major pieces of legislation, and reassured a shaken nation through his now-iconic "fireside chats.” His impact was historic. His legacy, unmatched—until now.

After witnessing President Donald J. Trump’s first 100 days of his second term, it’s clear that the gold standard has been redefined. What was once considered monumental now appears modest by comparison. Trump’s second-term kickoff has not only surpassed FDR’s pace, but eclipsed the combined efforts of several modern presidents put together.

Ronald Reagan made headlines in his early days for bold tax cuts, slashing spending, and taking on striking air traffic controllers. Trump has gone even further—pushing to make his historic tax cuts permanent while introducing new tax relief for overtime and tipped workers. At the same time, he established the Department of Government Efficiency, which has already cut billions in wasteful spending, shuttered crooked agencies like the Department of Education and USAID, and removed tens of thousands of entrenched bureaucrats who’ve long obstructed real progress.

Trump has also delivered internationally—achieving not one, but two ceasefires in the world’s most volatile regions: Gaza and Ukraine. His decisive foreign policy has put adversaries like China on notice and restored America’s standing as a global leader with strength and clarity. Unlike prior administrations that hesitated, Trump acted—with boldness, not bureaucracy.

While Obama focused on massive stimulus spending and controversial healthcare reforms, Trump reversed that approach—ending taxpayer-funded giveaways, unleashing American energy independence, and using tariffs to close gaping trade deficits. Under his leadership, Guantanamo Bay wasn’t closed—it was repurposed to hold illegal migrants who break our laws, a move aimed at restoring the rule of law at the border.

Following JFK’s assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson launched his “War on Poverty” and championed sweeping civil rights legislation. Trump went further—dismantling bloated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, banning gender ideology and critical race theory in public education, and pulling funding from institutions that push divisive ideologies. He restored the right to fair competition in sports by barring biological males from competing in women’s leagues, emphasizing fairness over political correctness.

He didn’t stop there. Trump ordered the declassification and release of files related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr., shining light where others chose secrecy.

While President Biden poured $2 trillion into the American Rescue Plan—triggering inflation so severe that groceries became luxury items—Trump tackled the crisis at its core. He declared a national emergency at the border, mobilized the military, and slashed illegal crossings by 95% within weeks. He designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations, reinstated border security, and reclaimed control of our national sovereignty.

Trump also struck symbolic yet powerful blows against the establishment—restoring the name Mount McKinley, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and dismantling weaponized government tools of lawfare used against political opponents. In a landmark move, he pardoned over 1,500 January 6 protestors, exposing the destruction of evidence and abuse of due process by the committee investigating the Capitol riot.

In just 100 days, President Trump reignited the American dream. He brought common sense back into policymaking, cut through the lies of a partisan media, and proved that bold leadership can still make a difference. Whether you agree with his style or not, one thing is undeniable—no president has worked harder or faster to restore American strength.

This isn’t just a new chapter in presidential history. It’s a new era.

So thank you, Mr. President, for the courage to lead where others caved, for the grit to act where others hesitated, and for reminding us that in just 100 days, America can be put back on the path to greatness.

Mr. Lacerda is currently a prisoner at Danbury FCI and Author of the upcoming book ‘Eyes from Penumbra’ from Skyhorse Publishing.