Window on Washington: Trump’s Second First 100 Days

This article originally appeared in the Second Quarter 2025 Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin. Reprinted with permission. Any opinions in this article are not those of Winston & Strawn or its clients. The opinions in this article are the author’s opinions only.

President Trump’s second term came crashing into D.C. like a tidal wave, including torrents of executive orders on all matter of topics, leaving almost no corner of American life and global relations unaffected. The U.S. maritime industry is no exception. Long-suffering readers of Window on Washington will recall that the last installment addressed the SHIPS act, which aims to revitalize the U.S.-flag fleet trading internationally and American shipbuilding. In keeping with Elon Musk’s philosophy of “move fast and break things,” the administration appears set on advancing that project through expansions of executive power, which is just now starting to be challenged in the courts.