Jose Bruno Feliz, Staff Writer
While President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have been busy campaigning for GOP candidates ahead of the midterms, the Executive Branch has been loudly leaving their mark. From new and simpler ways of accessing government documents to an update of military strategy and a focus on immigration, these are some of the new and current priorities of the Executive Branch.
For starters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sweeping changes to the process of obtaining a U.S. Passport along with a new design. Standing at a stage, in what looked like a federal version of an Apple WWDC event, the secretary announced a new way of ordering a passport beginning in 2027 with an initial rollout expected this December of 2026. The process is to be through America.gov, a new government website which arguably works as a sort of ChatGPT for the federal government – you can request information and ask a variety of questions regarding the Federal Government and get a generative, cohesive answer.
According to the secretary, this new method will simplify how Americans obtain passports by eliminating many complicated procedures. Current protocols involve lengthy forms, which will be replaced with a straightforward online process. The goal is to make obtaining a passport as simple as ordering a new credit card and tracking an Amazon package. To conclude the event, the secretary unveiled a new design called “Flight of the Eagle.” The new design features the eagle seal but this time it is bigger, the words “United States of America” are moved to the top, while the word “Passport” remains at the top; it now is smaller and, to quote the secretary, the eagle now has “more gold.” The new passport’s pages will feature an eagle in the top right corner as it flies through the pages of the book, showcasing 250 years of American history from the Revolution, to the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, and the splashdown of Artemis mission. Initial rollout of this is expected to start in 2028.
The State Department has announced new changes to international identifications, but the changes don’t stop there. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, delivered his “State of the Force” address in which he announced new initiatives coming to the Department of War in the coming months and years. A big initiative he proposed is what the secretary called “Autonomous Warfare.” This new initiative seeks to reinforce and revolutionize the United States role and capabilities in a new era of warfare enhanced by AI’s rapid evolution that sees the use of drones in active combat zones as seen in the Russia-Ukraine War. Another big initiative is a new method of officer training, a new ”Corp of Cadets.” This will be done by partnering with institutions of higher education such as Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, Liberty University, Tuskegee University and Hills Dale College;it will be called “America’s Corp of Cadets,” which will seek to build and train cadets in a way that meets the standards that the current administration is seeking. Another important initiative is what the secretary calls “FORTRESS America” which seeks to build a new mega base in the country and opens the door for states interested in hosting the base to submit their proposals on why their state is best fit and what they plan.
Going back to the civilian world, The Department of Homeland Security has put forward a new proposal that places a fee on F-1 nonimmigrant students who seek to participate in OPT, Optional Practical Training, a program that allows F-1 Visa holders with a degree, or obtaining one, to get real-world experience in their field of study. This proposal would place a fee of $70,000 per international student’s initial application and $30,000 for any following applications. The proposal stems from the agency’s idea of combating what they refer to as “fraud” and the “protection of U.S workers.” More information can be found through the department’s official press release.
Ultimately, it is this sweeping overhaul that shows an administration transitioning the country to a new era. From ordering a passport online, to sweeping immigration reform, to Autonomous Warfare, it is very clear a new era in government powered by AI and prioritizing citizens is just starting as the administration looks into cementing their legacy before the midterm electionstake place.
