From viral soundbites to sweeping policies, President Donald Trump is back in the political spotlight—and his agenda is as aggressive as ever. As headlines bounce between courtroom drama and campaign rallies, it’s easy to miss how this administration’s every move is already reshaping the lives of Black Americans.

The Impact Report is your weekly breakdown of what the current administration is doing, saying, and pushing—from Capitol Hill to the campaign trail—and how those actions affect our communities. Whether it’s a Supreme Court ruling, a policy proposal, or a dog-whistle-laced speech, we’re cutting through the noise to bring you clear, sourced analysis of what it all means for Black lives, rights, and futures.

Federal Voter Registration Crackdown

On March 20th, President Trump signed an order to tighten federal voter registration for non-U.S. citizens. This is the latest in a flurry of executive orders he’s signed, which average 1.6 per day since his inauguration. 

Why This Should Matter To You: Experts have shared concerns that the requirement could disenfranchise people, namely those who aren’t able to show proof of citizenship readily available swiftly; 9% of U.S. citizens of voting age, or 21.3 million cannot readily show this proof per a 2023 report by the Brennan Center for Justice et al. 

This proof of citizenship covers a wide range, including having exact legal names printed on official identification documents. Married women who haven’t changed their names on all their IDs are just one of the leading groups that this change could impact. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Lifting Some Child Labor Laws 

On March 25, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis once again drew the ire of fair work advocates—this time for supporting legislation that would roll back child labor protections in the state. The proposed changes would allow teens as young as 16 to work longer hours, including overnight shifts, which critics say prioritizes business interests over children’s safety, education, and well-being. 

Why This Should Matter: Black communities have been here before. From the days of sharecropping to the factory floors of the Great Migration, Black children have historically been pushed into labor under the guise of “opportunity.” Loosening these laws risks reopening that chapter, especially in states like Florida, where Black and Brown youth are overrepresented in low-wage, high-risk jobs. And it’s not just Florida: more than a dozen states have introduced or passed similar bills in the past two years, part of a more significant conservative push to scale back protections in the name of “freedom” and economic growth. These policies aren’t just about jobs—they’re about futures, and whose futures get protected. 

Administration Pressing Anti-DEI Measures In Companies By Blocking Mergers And Acquisitions 

The current administration is intensifying its crackdown on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within corporate America. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr announced that companies seeking regulatory approval for mergers and acquisitions must eliminate DEI practices, labeling them as "invidious forms of DEI discrimination," as reported by CNN. Carr emphasized that the FCC can only approve transactions that serve the public interest, suggesting that companies promoting DEI policies may not meet this criterion. 

Why This Should Matter To You: Because when the president uses his political power to block company mergers based on their commitment to diversity, he’s not just attacking corporate policies—he’s targeting the future of Black professionals. DEI programs have helped open doors in industries historically shut us out. Now, those doors are at risk of being slammed shut again.

This isn’t just political posturing—it’s strategic. By threatening billion-dollar deals, Trump sends a chilling message: if your company supports Black advancement, it could cost you. That pressure could discourage companies from hiring, promoting, or investing in us. And when DEI disappears from boardrooms, so do the pathways to equity, power, and generational wealth for Black communities.

SignalGate, SignalGate, SignalGate

Earlier this month, the administration faced a significant security breach dubbed "Signalgate." National Security Adviser Mike Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a private Signal group chat where top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, discussed imminent military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This mishap exposed sensitive information, including attack timelines and intelligence sources, raising serious concerns about the administration's communication practices and handling of classified material. The incident has sparked bipartisan calls for investigations, with many questioning using unsecured messaging apps for national security discussions. 

Why This Should Matter To You: If high-ranking officials are out here spilling classified military secrets in group chats, it’s not just an elite embarrassment—it’s a national security risk that could endanger all of us. For Black communities, who already face disproportionate fallout from domestic and international crises—whether it’s economic instability, military conflict, or government crackdowns—reckless leadership at the highest level puts lives, livelihoods, and freedoms on the line. SignalGate isn’t just a tech fumble—it’s a glimpse into how sloppy governance can spiral into real-world consequences for the most vulnerable among us. 

​Massive HHS Layoffs

To streamline operations and reduce federal spending, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to lay off approximately 10,000 employees and close several agencies. This restructuring aims to cut the department's workforce from 82,000 to 62,000, achieving an estimated annual saving of $1.8 billion. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the overhaul is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and realign the department with its core mission, mainly focusing on combating the chronic disease epidemic. This agency is primarily tasked with protecting the health of all Americans by monitoring, preventing, and reducing the spread of infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as addressing public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Robert F. Kennedy has been a vocal vaccine hesitancy advocate. 

Why This Should Matter To You: When the government slashes 10,000 health department jobs, it's not just bureaucracy getting cut—it's the people and programs that protect our communities. From free clinics and addiction services to workplace safety and environmental protections, these layoffs threaten the already limited resources many Black families rely on to stay healthy and safe. Historically, when public health budgets shrink, Black communities are the first to feel it and the last to recover. This isn’t just a staffing change—it’s a red flag about whose health the government is willing to prioritize. And it isn’t the Black and/or underserved.