• January 20, 2025: Second inauguration

  Donald Trump is sworn in as president in Washington. Trump issues 26 executive orders on the first day of his second term, including withdrawing from the World Health Organisation, creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.

• February, 2025: Tariff war begins

  TruTrump announces tariffs against China, Canada, Mexico, the EU and other nations. China enacts retaliatory tariffs, beginning a tariff war with the US. The tariffs range from 10% up to 25% of all goods.

• February 28, 2025: Zelenskyy meeting

  Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office at the White House. Intended to discuss US support for Ukraine, the meeting is highly confrontational and ends with no resolution.

• June 6-9, 2025: Deploying the National Guard and marines

  Following ongoing protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles Trump deploys the National Guard. A day later Trump mobilises 700 marines and additional National Guard to patrol around the protests.

• June 14, 2025: "No kings" protest

  Millions of demonstrators across the US protest against the Trump administration. The protests build on demonstrations in Los Angeles against the mass-deportations. The day also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday.

• June 22, 2025: Iran strikes

  Trump orders strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran. "Bunker buster" bombs are used to penetrate the underground nuclear enrichment plants.

• July 4, 2025: One Big Beautiful Bill Act

  Trump passes the sweeping bill, which includes major tax reforms, military funding, employee and family benefits changes and health funding cuts.

• September–October 2025: Gaza peace deal

  In late September Trump announces a 20-point plan for a lasting peace in the Israel-Gaza war. The plan is signed on October 9, with a ceasefire beginning on October 10.

• October 1, 2025: Government shutdown

  Congress and Trump fail to reach a deal on government spending, beginning a shutdown of the government lasting 43 days (the longest in history). Mass layoffs of thousands of federal workers are announced over the course of the shutdown.

• September 2025–December 202: Attacks in the Caribbean

  From September to November, the US attacks 35 alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, killing more than 120 people. A number of Venezuelan oil tankers are seized by US forces, accused of breaking trade embargoes against Venezuela.

• January 3, 2026: Maduro kidnapped

  The US launches a military strike on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They are flown to New York to face drug charges.

• January 19, 2026: Greenland dispute

  Trump imposes 10% tariffs on all imports from eight EU nations for their opposition to the US taking control of Greenland. The tariffs are set to increase to 25% on June 1 unless Trump can buy Greenland from Denmark.

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP