First Month in Focus – Policy Shifts Reshaping America

🔎 What to Expect?

This special edition focuses on four key areas:

1. The Mechanisms of Change: Understanding how presidential power shapes policy (and its limits)

2. The Changes Themselves: From agency restructuring to international trade, we're seeing shifts that touch everything from weather forecasts to consumer protection

3. The Path Forward: If you've lost your job or are facing potential termination, we've got step-by-step guidance, financial resources, and support to help you navigate what's next.

4. Staying Informed: Want to more actively follow policy changes domestically and news globally? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite resources.

As always, feel free to skip around and click directly above the titles to navigate to the sections that interest you most.

🕒 Read Time: 15 minutes

We've packed a lot into this special edition because—well, a lot has happened. We've organized it so you can easily navigate to the sections most relevant to you. Grab your favorite beverage and let's break down what's happening.

📅 What's Next?

We'll plan to return to our regular quarterly schedule, but if you want more updates like this, just let us know!

We've gotten this question a lot lately, and the short answer is yes they can through executive orders and agency rulemaking… but there are limits…

• Direct instructions to federal agencies

• Take effect immediately

• Can quickly change how existing laws are implemented

• But can be just as quickly undone by future presidents

• More detailed process for implementing laws

• Includes public feedback periods

• Creates lasting regulations

• Harder to reverse

• Affects both government and private sector

• Why changes are happening so quickly

• How policies can shift without new laws

• Why some changes might stick while others could be temporary

• Can't create entirely new laws

• Must stay within existing legal frameworks

• Can face court challenges if they overstep

• Needs to follow specific processes for lasting change

• Some immediate changes (like program freezes)

• Some changes facing legal challenges

• Some changes that will take longer to implement

• Different levels of permanence for different actions

• Expect legal challenges—some are already underway. Policies that don’t pass judicial scrutiny may be scaled back or overturned, so only those aligned with the law will stand.

• Department of Education under review for elimination

• NOAA's weather and climate monitoring capabilities under review across all divisions

• FEMA leadership pushing for agency elimination

• CFPB ordered to halt most operations

• NIH is seeking to cut indirect funding rates from 30% to 15%

• Education Evolution: This isn't just about closing an agency - it's a fundamental restructuring of how America approaches education funding, standards, and accessibility

• Data Disruption Risk: Changes could impact everything from farming forecasts to storm warnings

• Beyond the Agency: This isn't just about FEMA - it's about how America handles disasters

• Consumer Protection Pause: CFPB halt affects more than just regulations - it impacts ongoing investigations and consumer safeguards

• Research Reality Check: NIH's indirect funding cut from 30% to 15% affects the entire healthcare ecosystem, from teaching hospitals and research labs to medical schools and clinical trials

• Changes to federal education funding could affect everything from student loan processing to research grant availability to special education

• Agricultural planning might face new challenges without certain climate data

• State taxes might increase to cover emergency response gaps

• Financial scams might increase with reduced oversight

• Medical breakthroughs and new treatments could face significant delays

• Government-wide hiring freeze with new executive order limiting hiring to one new employee for every four that leave

• Mandatory return to in-office work for federal employees

• HUD division that helps rebuild homes after disasters set to cut more than 80% of its staff

• DOJ issued a memo directing the Civil Rights division to investigate and penalize DEI policies in the private sector

• Agency communications and public outreach restricted, affecting departments like the CDC and other public health agencies

• Two-Pronged Workforce Reduction: The administration is shrinking the federal workforce both swiftly (mass layoffs) and gradually (“one-for-four” hiring)

• Office Return Impact: Return-to-office mandates force out remote workers who can’t relocate, further reducing staff.

• Housing Recovery Hollowing: Major downsizing signals a shift in federal disaster support, leaving vulnerable communities under-resourced when it matters most

• DEI Disruption: Changes are influencing private-sector practices, with companies facing potential DOJ scrutiny over certain diversity initiatives

• Information Access Shift: This fundamentally alters how Americans receive critical public health and safety information directly from experts

• Government services are already experiencing significant disruptions as agencies operate with substantially reduced workforces

• Services requiring in-person staffing may improve while specialized work requiring remote talent may suffer

• Cuts in rebuilding aid could prolong recovery times and increase reliance on private insurance

• Businesses may alter hiring practices and scale back resource groups to avoid DOJ scrutiny, shifting workplace diversity efforts

• Access to research, health advisories, and scientific information may be limited or filtered, affecting informed decisions about health, safety, and environmental risks

• Key health initiatives worldwide disrupted including HIV/AIDS programs

• 90-day freeze on most U.S. foreign aid programs

• Development projects halted across multiple countries

• NGO partnerships under review

• Humanitarian programs facing immediate funding gaps

• Health Ripple Effect: Disrupted health programs create global health vulnerabilities that could affect the U.S.

• Security Domino Effect: When aid stops, instability often follows - creating potential breeding grounds for extremism

• Strategic Setbacks: Years of relationship-building and influence could be undone in key regions

• Economic Boomerang: U.S. businesses lose contracts, market access, and strategic positions in developing economies

• Aid Aftershocks: When humanitarian funding stops- it creates ripples in global health, security, and economic stability

• Global health disruptions could increase pandemic and disease outbreak risks

• Regional instability might affect everything from travel safety to investment markets

• Supply chains relying on stable international relationships might face disruption

• American products could lose market share in developing economies to competitors

• Humanitarian crises could worsen, potentially leading to increased migration pressures

• Mental health care coverage requirements under review

• Changes to drug pricing negotiations

• Modifications to Medicaid and Medicare policies

• Healthcare-related web resources being removed

• Public health data collection changes

• Coverage Crossroads: Mental health parity changes could reshape insurance landscape beyond just federal programs

• Price Pressure Points: Drug pricing negotiation changes are potential market shifters for pharmaceuticals

• Program Pivots: Medicare and Medicaid modifications signal a fundamental shift in public health coverage

• Digital Disconnect: Removal of healthcare resources signals broader shifts in federal health information sharing

• Data Dilemma: Changes to public health data collection affect everything from research to resource allocation

• Insurance coverage terms and costs could change, particularly for mental health services

• Prescription drug prices might shift as negotiation rules change

• Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries may face coverage and access changes

• Access to healthcare information and resources could become more limited

• Public health program availability might vary more by location

• National emergency declared at U.S.-Mexico border

• CBP One app eliminated for asylum appointments

• New task forces established in all 50 states

• Border security measures expanded with new checkpoints impacting commercial shipping routes and transportation corridors

• Expedited removal procedures implemented

• Border Emergency Powers: The national emergency declaration unlocks extraordinary executive authorities beyond standard immigration policy

• Digital Access Elimination: Removing the appointment app creates a fundamental shift in asylum management, eliminating organized entry

• Economic Echoes: Task force operations could impact everything from agriculture to hospitality industries

• Supply Chain Friction: Enhanced border security is creating logistical bottlenecks that directly impact cross-border commerce, shipping times, and supply chain reliability.

• Labor Landscape: Expedited removal policies could reshape workforce availability across sectors

• Border communities may experience significant changes in security presence and economic activity

• Labor market shifts might impact service availability and prices in certain industries

• Business compliance requirements might affect prices and services

• Products from Mexico may face shipping delays and higher costs, affecting produce prices, auto parts availability, and retail inventory.

• Local economies might see changes as enforcement priorities shift

• U.S. Refugee Admissions Program suspended

• Humanitarian parole status ended for about 500,000 nationals

• New guidance favoring immigrants with U.S. college degrees

• ICE raids causing labor disruptions in construction, food services, and healthcare

• All undocumented migrant entry suspended

• Refugee Reset: Program suspension signals a fundamental shift in America's humanitarian stances

• Status Termination Impact: Ending parole for 500,000 people creates immediate workforce gaps

• Education Preference: College degree prioritization reflects a shift toward skills-based immigration

• Industry Disruption: Enforcement actions are already causing measurable workforce shortages

• Entry Enforcement: Complete entry suspension creates immediate economic and social effects

• Labor market changes could affect service availability and prices in various industries

• Businesses employing workers on humanitarian parole face immediate staffing challenges

• College-educated immigrants may have better pathways to employment and residency

• Certain products and services could become more expensive due to workforce disruptions

• Regional economic patterns may shift as workforce availability changes in different sectors

• National energy emergency" declared

• Offshore wind leasing paused in federal waters

• Alaska coastal areas opened for development

• Regulations affecting domestic energy resources under review

• An executive order requiring agencies to eliminate ten regulations for every new one created

• Emergency Powers Activation: The emergency declaration enables bypassing standard regulatory processes

• Renewable Rollback: Wind project pauses signal a fundamental shift away from green energy priorities

• Fossil Fuel Fast-Track: Alaska development represents prioritization of traditional energy sources

• Regulatory Relief: Review of energy regulations aims to reduce compliance requirements for producers

• Regulation Revolution: The "Ten-for-One" executive order fundamentally reshapes the regulatory landscape, accelerating development while reducing oversight across multiple sectors

• Energy prices could shift as domestic production policies change

• Investment opportunities in energy sectors might see significant changes

• Consumer energy choices might become more limited in some areas

• Energy company stocks could see volatility as policies shift

• Reduced regulations could lower business costs but decrease consumer and environmental protections, affecting product safety and environmental quality.

• 25% tariff proposed for Mexican and Canadian imports

• Aluminum imports also facing new tariffs

• 10% tariff added to Chinese imports

• Auto industry delaying major investment decisions due to tariff uncertainty

• Global Tax Deal withdrawal initiated

• Neighbor Nation Narrative: North American trade changes are more than just tariffs - they're relationship resetters

• Metal Market Impact: Aluminum tariffs affect numerous industries from construction to consumer goods

• China Trade Tensions: Additional Chinese tariffs signal continued economic competition

• Investment Uncertainty: Manufacturing hesitation demonstrates how policy ambiguity affects business planning

• Tax Cooperation Exit: Withdrawal from the global tax deal signals a shift away from coordinated international tax rules, potentially sparking trade tensions and reshaping corporate strategies

• Construction and home improvement costs could rise if implemented

• Consumer goods using steel or aluminum could become more expensive

• American exports might face new tariffs in response

• New vehicle prices could rise and model availability may be limited as manufacturers delay decisions

• Companies operating globally may adjust hiring and compensation if international tax obligations change

If you've been affected by these changes, here's your roadmap forward. We've organized this section by both timeline and type of need to help you find exactly what you need, when you need it.

✓ File for unemployment benefits immediately - even if unsure about eligibility

✓ Contact mortgage lender/landlord about payment flexibility

✓ Call utility companies about assistance programs

✓ Reach out to credit card companies about hardship programs

✓ Document your last day of work and save all relevant communications

✓ Review current healthcare documentation

✓ Fill essential prescriptions if possible

✓ Download copies of health records from federal websites

✓ Check state healthcare marketplace options

✓ Document any ongoing treatment plans

✓ Save all work-related documents and emails

✓ Document your current role and responsibilities

✓ Secure copies of recent performance reviews

✓ Save contact information for references

✓ Screenshot or save any relevant project materials

• Review retirement accounts for hardship withdrawal options

• Look into 0% APR balance transfer credit cards

• Create a bare-bones budget by considering which expenses can be reduced or eliminated

• Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

• Start networking with former colleagues and professional connections

• Consider certification programs to enhance your marketability

• Research refinancing options for major debts

• Consider consolidating high-interest debt

• Consider whether a career pivot makes sense given market changes

• Develop a longer-term budget based on your new situation

• The WSJ Trump Tracker [link] provides daily updates on executive orders and major changes

• Just Security's Litigation Tracker [link] follows the status of major legal challenges

• Federal Register [link] for all official announcements and rule changes

• Federal Regulations [link] to follow the rulemaking process and comment periods

• Council on Foreign Relations Daily Brief [link] for global security and economic implications

• Axios [link] for concise economic and business impact summaries

• 1440 Media (our newsletter sponsor) provides unbiased news daily, click the link below 👇