The idea of building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was popularized by Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign, although fencing had existed since the 1990s under Bill Clinton. The wall symbolized Trump’s strict immigration policy, aiming to reduce illegal immigration, combat drug trafficking, and enhance national security. Despite this promise, construction faced significant obstacles: lack of funding (as Mexico refused to pay), political opposition, and environmental and legal challenges. By the end of his term, only part of the wall had been completed.

Trump’s support for the military extended to improving the welfare of service members and veterans, with initiatives like the VA MISSION Act, which expanded healthcare access for veterans. Additionally, his “America First” approach focused on reprioritizing international commitments, aiming to reduce foreign engagements while concentrating resources on direct national security interests.

During his presidency, he also launched initiatives to support economic opportunity and employment in historically underdeveloped areas. In 2019, he signed the First Step Act, a widely acclaimed criminal justice reform aimed at reducing sentences for non-violent offenses and giving ex-convicts a second chance, an initiative that significantly benefited African-American communities.