President Donald Trump addressed supporters in Michigan Tuesday, marking the first 100 days of his second presidential term with a rambling speech that highlighted policy promises kept, upcoming budget goals and campaign-style grievance.
The president appeared before supporters at Macomb Community College, near Detroit, giving remarks on his administration's achievements enforcing immigration policy, cutting business regulation and re-shoring American manufacturing over the last 100 days. He also frequently interjected attacks on former President Joe Biden and on unfavorable media coverage, and repeated claims that he had won the 2020 presidential election.
Border security, immigration and deportations
The president briefly emphasized his administration's achievements hardening the southern U.S. border.
"We have achieved the most secure border in American history, by far," President Trump said, saying illegal border crossings have fallen to a record low and recalling the controversial executive order he signed that would deny U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. after Feb. 19 whose parents were in the country illegally.
The president explained ICE's work arresting suspected terrorists and his administration's classification of drug cartels and gangs as terror organizations.
"The worst of the worst are being sent to a no-nonsense prison in El Salvador," President Trump said.
Video played during the speech showed the deportation and processing of alleged gang members at the CECOT prison in that country.
"Removing the invaders is not just a campaign pledge, it's my solemn duty as commander in chief," President Trump said.
The Trump administration has embraced a shock and awe approach to immigration enforcement designed for maximum publicity. It has prompted court challenges over due process after sending alleged gang members to detention in El Salvador, deported U.S. citizens as young as 2 years old and arrested judges for allegedly helping an immigrant avoid ICE custody.
But federal data shows there has not been a significant jump in immigrants deported since Trump took office. Mass deportations have not occurred. The numbers show removals are lagging behind levels during the Biden administration.
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Addressing inflation
President Trump said the cost of eggs was down 87% since he took office.
"Gasoline prices are down by a lot. Energy prices are down. Mortgage rates actually just went down. Prescription drug prices just saw their largest monthly decline ever recorded."
The president touted American employment trends and his administration's efforts to cut business regulations.
The effects of tariffs
Over his first 100 days, the president has implemented a sweeping tariff agenda characterized by unpredictable protectionism and reciprocal measures. They have shaken Wall Street and global investor confidence and catalyzed the worst market performance in a president's first 100-day period in more than 50 years.
But international representatives want to make deals with the U.S., President Trump said on Tuesday, calling out interest from China, India and other countries that his tariffs have targeted.
"But if it takes too long I'll just set a price," he said.
Companies are investing billions of dollars in American-based manufacturing, President Trump said, including tech companies like Apple, Nvidia and TSMC.
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Michigan, the site of the speech, has felt the impact of the global regime of new trade restrictions and the effects of a deteriorated relationship with Canada.
The address comes the same day President Trump signed an executive order to ease upcoming tariffs on U.S. automakers, who are facing a new 25% duty on most vehicle parts starting Saturday.
The White House said the proclamation modifies current auto tariff policy, offering manufacturers a rebate on car parts used in U.S.-assembled vehicles. The rebate will be 3.75% of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the next year.
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Looking ahead to a 'big, beautiful' tax bill
President Trump said his administration was now focused on passing a trillion-dollar-plus onmibus tax bill
"In the coming weeks we will pass the largest tax cuts in American history," the president said. The "big, beautiful bill" will trim more than a trillion dollars in spending, increase take-home pay for families, and protect Medicare and Medicaid.
"The only thing we're going to cut is the corruption," President Trump said of the budget negotiations.
The bill as proposed would extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed during Trump's first term. But Republican lawmakers have yet to unite in support for the new version.
