Republican Donald Trump's election victory has set the US President-elect's team in motion to implement an ambitious “day one” program. future head of the White House.
As the WSJ writes in its review of possible changes, Trump's actions may include political and personnel changes in the government, as well as mass deportations and the dismissal of American generals.
At the same time, the publication notes that Trump's team, which is helping the elected US president until January 20, when the inauguration will take place, is helping him formulate executive orders and develop in documents how the Republican sees changes in US departments.
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What Could Change in U.S. Politics Under Trump
Immigration
During the campaign, Trump vowed to implement the “largest deportation program in American history” once he took office. While such a massive logistical undertaking would likely take longer to implement, officials familiar with Trump's plans say he will likely sign a pre-arranged executive order after taking office directing the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to deport illegal immigrants, the WSJ reports.
Much of Trump's Day One agenda will center around his efforts to roll back many of the Biden-era immigration policies and enact some of his own to reaffirm his policies on immigrants.
One of his top advisers, Jason Miller, recently told NBC News that Trump could “simply flip a switch” and revert his old immigration policies, adding: “It wouldn't take an act of Congress.”
Trump has said that on Day One he will reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico until their cases are heard by U.S. immigration courts. He also said he would resume construction of the wall on the US-Mexico border, for which he has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration.
Trump also said that on his first day in office, he would take steps to end birthright citizenship for children born to those who entered the U.S. illegally. This would likely face legal challenges.
Day One Dictator
WSJ recalls that Trump previously made a “bold but vague statement” that he would become a dictator only on “Day One” of his presidency.
On Fox News' Sean Hannity, he explained:
—I want to close the border and drill, drill, drill,— Trump said.
Firings and Pardons
Trump said he plans to quickly fire special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the federal case against Trump in Washington, D.C., over his efforts to hijack the 2020 election and stay in power.
Smith has previously opened negotiations with the Justice Department over federal criminal cases against Trump. He did not seek to freeze his other prosecution, which involves Trump's mishandling of classified documents and obstructing government efforts to seize them from his Florida beach resort.
Trump has also promised to pardon many of the 1,000 people charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol once he returns to the White House.
He has called the people indicted hostages and political prisoners.
Climate
Trump said he would sign an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, an international treaty that implements the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. President Biden, on his first day in office, returned the United States to the Obama-era agreement after Trump withdrew it in 2019.
Officials close to Trump said the order had already been drafted and would be ready for Trump to sign on his first day in office.
Foreign Policy: Ukraine and the Middle East
Trump has promised a series of measures to put America's interests first and vowed to end conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine and the Middle East, before he takes office.
In particular, he said he would prioritize America's national security and economic interests at home over paying billions in bailouts allies abroad, and impose high tariffs on imports to encourage domestic job creation.
— Trump might have luck in bringing a losing Ukraine to the negotiating table, but Russia's Vladimir Putin, Hamas and Israel have shown no signs of wanting to stop fighting in their conflicts, — writes the WSJ.
Trump also said he would demand the resignation of any general involved in the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by noon on Inauguration Day.
Transgender Student Protections
In April, the Biden administration unveiled a final set of changes to the laws that for the first time cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Trump had previously vowed to repeal such protections for transgender students on his inauguration day position.
