As the date of his inauguration approaches, Donald Trump is preparing to make a series of decisions and implement policies immediately upon taking office as the 47th president of the United States on January 20. The transition of power will be marked by a wave of executive orders, with a set of actions aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises and aligning his administration with the conservative and nationalist agenda that shaped his previous presidency. Trump is expected to sign a series of more than 100 executive orders on the first day of his second term, covering issues such as immigration, international trade, energy, the environment, and national security. Sources close to the transition team indicate that he is ready to act swiftly, with one of the primary focuses being immigration policies, followed by actions to reverse his predecessor Joe Biden’s policies and reinforce his protectionist economic strategy.
One of the most emblematic topics of Trump’s campaign, which continues to be a priority for his second term, is the crackdown on illegal immigration. It is expected that, right on the first day of his administration, Trump will sign a series of executive orders aimed at intensifying the control and surveillance of U.S. borders. Proposed actions include significant measures to increase the efficiency of immigration agents, allowing them to arrest individuals without criminal backgrounds, a move intended to eliminate the protective barrier for immigrants without a history of criminal violations.
Another strategic action will be the deployment of more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, a measure already signaled during his campaign. This would be an effort to bolster border security and ensure the mass deportation of illegal immigrants, particularly those whom he claims pose a threat to U.S. security and economy.
In addition, one of Trump’s main promises is the construction of the border wall, a proposal that had been partially abandoned during the Biden administration. Trump is determined to restart the wall’s construction, which has become a symbol of his stringent immigration policy, and may resort to declaring a national emergency to release military funds, speeding up the construction of the barrier. This measure could be seen as an attempt to fulfill what he considers one of the most important promises of his presidency.
In an effort to strengthen his deportation agenda, Trump has also indicated that he would shift military resources to facilitate the logistics of the illegal immigrant removal process. He is also expected to end the “parole” programs established by Biden, which allowed immigrants from certain countries to enter the U.S. legally for humanitarian reasons, with access to work permits and other benefits.
Another important aspect of Trump’s proposals is the issue of birthright citizenship. The elected president has expressed his desire to end automatic citizenship granted to children of illegal immigrants, a move that, if implemented, would face considerable legal challenges due to the protection guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the country. Nonetheless, Trump has shown a willingness to circumvent the amendment, stating that granting citizenship to children of illegal immigrants is “ridiculous” and needs to be reviewed. The measure, if enacted, would spark intense legal and political debates.
In the environmental policy field, Trump is preparing a series of measures to reverse the stricter regulations implemented by Joe Biden, particularly those related to climate and energy. The elected president plans to undo many of Biden’s administration’s efforts to combat climate change, including restrictions imposed on the energy industries and fossil fuel production.
One of the first steps will be to reverse regulations that negatively impact power plants, particularly those aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Trump also plans to lift restrictions on liquefied natural gas exports, seeking to open new markets for U.S. energy products in order to increase the competitiveness of the American industry.
Additionally, Trump is considering a series of actions that could weaken policies promoting electric vehicles, a sector prioritized by Biden. The elected president plans to cut support for charging stations and discontinue subsidies and incentives for the electric vehicle industry. Trump is also evaluating the possibility of imposing tariffs on all materials related to battery production, with the goal of increasing domestic production of these items and reducing dependence on countries such as China. Trump’s transition team also suggested that he might negotiate exemptions for U.S. allies as part of a strategy to strengthen the national battery industry.
Regarding trade, Trump continues to adopt a protectionist approach. During his previous presidency, he imposed heavy tariffs on a variety of imported products, particularly from China, and he is expected to repeat this strategy in his second term. He is considering raising tariffs on imports from countries with which the U.S. has trade deficits, such as China and the European Union. The goal is to protect domestic industries, increase domestic production, and boost economic growth. However, critics argue that these tariffs could result in higher prices for consumers, potentially affecting the U.S. consumer economy.
Furthermore, Trump plans to review trade agreements and try to renegotiate clauses that are unfavorable to U.S. interests, following his “America First” agenda. It is possible that the elected president will take a more aggressive stance in trade negotiations with his partners, seeking to ensure that the U.S. has more control over its international trade relations.
One of the most controversial aspects of Trump’s agenda for his second term involves the issue of pardons, particularly regarding those involved in the January 6, 2021 events, when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump has already indicated that he will take immediate action to grant pardons to many of those convicted or accused for their participation in the attack, a decision that could generate significant controversy given the severity of the events and the criticisms Trump received regarding the attack.
Granting pardons is a presidential prerogative, but the measure could cause a massive political divide, with supporters arguing that it is a way to clear the records of those unjustly persecuted, while opponents view it as an attempt to rehabilitate figures who challenged democracy and disrespected the country’s institutions.
The actions Trump intends to take immediately after assuming office are a clear reflection of his political priorities, which include building the border wall, defending U.S. economic interests, and reversing his predecessor’s progressive policies. His agenda promises to deeply stir domestic and foreign policy, generating legal, economic, and diplomatic challenges. However, Trump continues to maintain a solid base of support that believes these measures are necessary to restore the country to what he considers its fundamental principles. Thus, his second term will be marked by a constant drive to implement his vision, while facing opposition both within and outside his party.
