Donald Trump has laid out ambitious plans for his first day back in the White House if he wins the election. He made headlines by stating his intentions to take decisive actions immediately, claiming he would act as a “dictator” for that day alone.
Among his top priorities is launching a major effort to deport migrants, reversing many of President Biden’s policies, and reshaping the federal government by removing thousands of federal employees who he believes oppose him. Additionally, Trump has promised to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot.
“I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill,” he declared while outlining his day-one agenda.
Reflecting on his first term, Trump had previously attempted to renegotiate trade deals and enforce immigration laws quickly upon taking office. However, not all his earlier goals were achieved immediately.
Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, stated that his team expects “tens” of executive orders to be signed in the first week of his new administration.
Here’s an overview of Trump’s stated plans for his potential second term:
Clearing Criminal Charges
Trump has expressed a desire to eliminate the federal criminal cases against him as soon as he is in office, promising to fire the special counsel leading these investigations. Though he cannot pardon himself for state charges, he seeks to leverage his presidential position to address these matters.
Pardon January 6 Rioters
The former president has indicated his intention to pardon many individuals charged following the Capitol riots. He dubbed the rioters “unbelievable patriots” and has emphasized his commitment to support them right from the first day he returns to the presidency.
Restructuring the Federal Workforce
Trump plans to start removing job protections from many federal employees. He aims to significantly reduce the workforce and reshape it to appoint loyalists to key positions. He intends to reinstate a controversial executive order from 2020 that would allow him to convert career jobs into political roles.
Imposing Tariffs
During his campaign, Trump reiterated his plan to implement tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China. He believes this would preserve American manufacturing jobs, reduce the federal deficit, and enhance national security.
Rolling Back Protections for Transgender Students
Trump has confirmed he will act against protections for transgender students established by the Biden administration, asserting he can do so immediately without congressional approval. He regards this as part of a broader initiative to push back against progressive policies in schools.
Accelerating Energy Production
He has expressed his aim to reverse environmental regulations and increase fossil fuel production from day one, promising to implement measures to drill for oil in protected areas.
Negotiating Peace in Ukraine
In a notable ambition, Trump claims he can resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine quickly. He aims to bring both parties to the negotiating table within 24 hours of taking office.
Launching Mass Deportations
Trump has outlined a plan to initiate what he describes as the largest deportation program in U.S. history on his first day. He plans to put former ICE director Tom Homan in charge of the deportation operations.
These initiatives reflect Trump’s commitment to enacting significant policy changes if he returns to the White House, underscoring his desire for a strengthened stance on immigration, federal workforce reform, and more aggressive national security measures.
