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WASHINGTON – With Donald Trump set to be inaugurated again on Monday, he faces a significant challenge: fulfilling a number of ambitious promises, many of which he claims will leave Americans astounded. He has remarked, “Your head will spin when you see what’s going to happen,” referring specifically to his intentions for the first day in office.
Among the promises Trump has communicated to his supporters, the following are high on his priority list:
- Initiate the largest deportation operation in U.S. history targeting all undocumented individuals.
- Seal the borders to unauthorized entry.
- Eliminate automatic citizenship for anyone born in the U.S., often referred to as birthright citizenship.
- Grant pardons to numerous individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.
- Implement a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, while imposing a 10% tariff on products from China.
- Resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict even prior to his swearing-in.
- Abolish mandates related to electric vehicles.
- Declare a national energy emergency to facilitate new drilling projects and energy infrastructure.
- Reduce federal funding for educational institutions promoting critical race theory and other contentious topics, as well as those enforcing health mandates related to COVID-19.
- Act decisively against what he describes as the “deep state.”
Can he actually achieve all this on Monday? The reality is that it’s highly improbable. Trump cannot fully realize all his proposed actions unilaterally since two branches of government, Congress and the judiciary, maintain checks on presidential power. For example, he cannot abolish birthright citizenship without significant constitutional changes. Interestingly, Trump has previously considered the first full day of his administration—January 21—to be his true “Day 1.”
Historically, presidents use their executive authority swiftly, and Trump is expected to push the limits of such power once again, building on the mixed successes of his prior term. While he can utilize executive orders to express intentions and steer policies, many moves could lead to intense debates and legal battles ahead.
Let’s delve into some of the significant promises he made regarding immigration, tariffs, education, and energy initiatives:
Immigration
Trump asserts, “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history.” His strategy encompasses declaring a national emergency to apprehend and detain millions of undocumented persons.
To facilitate this, local law enforcement and states’ National Guard units might assist federal agents in extensive deportation efforts, which have seen mixed results in past administrations.
Border Closure
Trump’s campaign promised, “On Day 1, I will close the border.” While the language suggests a total closure, aides have clarified that it specifically targets illegal entries, rather than halting all cross-border activities.
Birthright Citizenship
He has vowed to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents with an executive order. However, significant constitutional barriers make this promise exceedingly difficult to fulfill without congressional support.
Tariffs
Trump plans to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% on Chinese imports. These tariffs could disrupt North American trade and lead to increased consumer prices. While he may leverage these tariffs as negotiating tactics, they also align with his continuing push for domestic manufacturing.
Educational Policies
The former president has committed to cutting federal funds to any school that endorses critical race theory or mandates vaccinations and masks, a move that likely requires legislative backing to implement effectively.
Energy Initiatives
Trump aims to declare a national energy emergency, which could enhance his ability to bypass Congress for energy projects. His commitment to “drill, baby, drill” indicates he intends to ramp up domestic energy production significantly.
January 6 Pardons
One of his standout promises involves pardoning individuals linked to the January 6 Capitol incident, which he has indicated could commence on his first day in office, potentially providing legal relief to many convicted during those events.
In summary, while Trump’s ambitious Day 1 promises are designed to energize his base, achieving these goals within his constitutional constraints may prove challenging. As in past presidencies, much will depend on the balance of political power and the response from American citizens.
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