President-elect Donald Trump has promised to take swift action on several key issues from day one in office, including overhauling immigration policies, rolling back energy regulations, and addressing controversial “transgender” policies.
Last year, Trump suggested that while he wouldn’t govern as a dictator, he would wield executive power aggressively from day one, particularly in areas like immigration and energy, while also targeting what he calls “liberal overreach” in the realm of equity and gender policies.
In addition to his proposed policy changes, Trump has hinted at actions to fire the special prosecutor handling his criminal case.
Here’s a breakdown of the key actions Trump has signaled for his first day in office.
Immigration: Tough Measures and Border Security
One of Trump’s top priorities from day one will be tightening immigration controls.
According to senior adviser Jason Miller, Trump can quickly reinstate many of the border security measures that were implemented during his first term, as these don’t require congressional approval.
At his rallies, Trump has repeatedly pledged, “On day one, I will launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history,” targeting illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal records. While this effort would be logistically challenging and likely meet resistance from certain local governments, Trump has suggested that local law enforcement will be called upon to help with the task.
Trump is also expected to sign an executive order on his first day to end automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants, although this could face legal hurdles. Additionally, he may resume border wall construction, which was halted under the Biden administration, and reinstate programs like “Remain in Mexico,” which required asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. for their hearings.
Energy: Reversing Biden’s Policies and Expanding Domestic Production
On the energy front, Trump has promised to roll back Biden-era regulations and focus on increasing domestic oil production. His campaign slogan “drill, baby, drill” signals his intention to boost oil output even further, aiming for higher production than current levels.
Trump has also indicated he will overturn several of Biden’s environmental policies, particularly those aimed at regulating emissions. He’s vowed to rescind rules that limit emissions from power plants, a stance in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s more aggressive climate agenda.
Additionally, Trump has stated that he would issue an executive order on day one to halt wind energy projects, which he claims are ineffective and damaging to the economy. Trump may also attempt to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords once again, after President Biden rejoined the agreement during his term.
“Transgender Insanity” and Gender Policies
Trump has made a strong stand against what he refers to as “transgender insanity,” particularly when it comes to issues like transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. At rallies, he has emphasized that he will work to keep men out of women’s athletic competitions and undo policies that he believes undermine traditional gender norms.
On his first day in office, Trump has promised to revoke the Biden administration’s Title IX changes, which expanded protections against discrimination based on gender identity. These changes were finalized earlier this year and were challenged by several Republican-led states. Trump would likely reinstate his own executive order from 2020 that banned government promotion of concepts like “systemic racism” or the idea that one race or gender is inherently superior to another.
Trump has also signaled his intention to cut federal funding to schools that continue to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations. Though the issue of vaccine mandates was a major flashpoint during the pandemic, the threat has raised concerns about broader public health implications.
Legal Actions: Special Counsel and Pardons
Another major action Trump has suggested is the dismissal of special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the criminal case against him in Washington, D.C. regarding efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Additionally, Trump has promised to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th protests, further signaling a potential break from the current administration’s approach to the investigation.
If Trump follows through with his campaign promises on day one, his presidency will likely begin with a series of executive orders and aggressive actions that reverse key policies of the Biden administration.
