Donald Trump served as the president of the United States for the entirety of 2018. Having taken office on January 20, 2017 as the 45th president, he held executive power throughout the entirety of that calendar year, working alongside Vice President Mike Pence.
Understanding who led the country during this period requires looking past a single name. The political landscape of 2018 involved shifting congressional majorities, major legislative battles, and high-profile cabinet changes that shaped the trajectory of the administration.
The Political Landscape in 2018
The year 2018 marked the midpoint of Donald Trump's first term in office. For the first two years of his administration, the Republican Party held a federal government trifecta, controlling both the White House and both chambers of Congress.
This dynamic shifted dramatically following the November 2018 midterm elections. Democrats flipped 40 seats in the House of Representatives, securing a majority that took effect in January 2019, while Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate. This split-party Congress set the stage for intense legislative gridlock and oversight battles for the remainder of the presidential term.
Key Legislative and Policy Milestones
While 2018 didn't see sweeping tax overhauls on the scale of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the administration notched several significant policy victories and faced severe domestic challenges:
- The First Step Act: Signed into law in December 2018, this bipartisan criminal justice reform bill aimed to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for certain nonviolent federal crimes and expanded rehabilitation programs in federal prisons.
- Trade and Tariffs: The administration imposed sweeping steel and aluminum tariffs, prompting retaliatory tariffs from trading partners like the European Union, Canada, and China, and initiated the renegotiation of trade deals that led to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
- Border Policy and Government Shutdown: Escalating disputes over border wall funding and a controversial family separation policy dominated domestic headlines, culminating in budget standoffs that bled into a historic government shutdown.
Major Cabinet and Staff Turnaround
The executive branch experienced unprecedented turnover among top advisors and cabinet secretaries during 2018. This shifting cast altered the inner workings of the West Wing:
- Rex Tillerson: The Secretary of State was dismissed by tweet in March 2018 after months of public policy friction, replaced by then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
- Jeff Sessions: Following prolonged public criticism over his recusal from the Russia investigation, Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at the president's request in November 2018.
- James Mattis: Secretary of Defense James Mattis resigned in December 2018 following major disagreements over foreign policy, specifically regarding the abrupt decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.
Ongoing Investigations and Oversight
Throughout 2018, the executive branch operated under the shadow of special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. While the probe did not establish criminal conspiracy between the campaign and Russia, it generated daily legal developments, grand jury subpoenas, and intense public scrutiny that consumed significant political capital for the White House.
For more detailed historical documentation regarding this era, you can consult the White House Archives or review official records hosted by the National Archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Vice President in 2018?
Mike Pence served as the vice president of the United States throughout 2018, presiding over the Senate and acting as a key liaison between the White House and congressional Republicans.
Which party controlled Congress in 2018?
Republicans held majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate during the entirety of 2018, though the November midterm elections flipped control of the House to the Democrats starting in the next congressional session.
Was the president impeached in 2018?
No. While the House of Representatives later voted to impeach Donald Trump in December 2019, no impeachment votes occurred during the calendar year 2018.
What major foreign policy events occurred in 2018?
Key foreign policy developments included the historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore, the official withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, and the relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
