By : Lloyd Mahachi
Donald Trump’s second presidential term is set to begin, and the world is watching closely to see what he will do first. His campaign promises included reinstituting tariffs, slowing immigration from Mexico, and opting out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
These policies are likely to take center stage as he starts his second term in the White House. Trump’s first days in office will be symbolically important, and his actions will likely be a mixed bag of domestic and international policies.
Executive Orders
To get things rolling quickly, Trump will depend on presidential executive orders. These orders bypass US Congress and can cover a range of issues like national security, foreign policy, and regulatory matters.
A pile of executive orders is expected to be ready for him to sign on January 20. In a TV interview on “Meet the Press” on December 8, Trump confirmed he would sign “a lot” of executive orders on Day 1.
These orders will relate to the economy, energy, and most importantly the Mexican border. Trump’s use of executive orders will be crucial in implementing his policies and fulfilling his campaign promises.
Immigration and Mass Deportations
Since arriving on the national stage, Trump has been fixated on the Mexican border and the people crossing it to enter the US. In his first term in office, he wanted to complete a wall between the two countries and have Mexico pay for it.
Four years later, stopping irregular migration by securing the country’s borders was one of the main issues that got Trump reelected. He is likely to revive a “Remain in Mexico” policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while claims are processed.
For those already in the country illegally, he has called for the biggest mass deportation in the country’s history, focusing first on criminals before turning to other undocumented immigrants. This move is likely to be met with resistance from human rights groups and immigration advocates.
Trade and Tariffs
Trade is another area that gets a lot of attention from Trump. Recently, he suggested a 10% blanket tariff for everything entering the US. Mexico, Canada, and China, the country’s biggest trading partners, would be hit with even higher duties.
While the president has the authority to impose tariffs on specific categories of imports, issuing blanket tariffs on all goods would be more complex. Such a move would cause chaos and be challenged in court.
The impact of Trump’s trade policies on the US economy and global trade relations remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: Trump’s approach to trade will be vastly different from that of his predecessor.
Climate Change
The environment is less important to US voters than the economy or migration, nonetheless, Trump has it in his crosshair. During his first term as president, he withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, which is meant to cut carbon emissions to fight climate change.
Joe Biden reversed that decision and rejoined the treaty on his first day in office. Now, repeating the phrase “drill baby, drill” Trump has promised to expand the production of crude oil. As he focuses on fracking and fossil fuels, it should come as no surprise if he again withdraws from the climate agreement as one of his first official acts.
Trump’s stance on climate change has been widely criticized by environmentalists and scientists. His policies are likely to have a significant impact on the environment and the US’s role in global efforts to combat climate change.
Pardons for Convicted Capitol Rioters
The presidential pardon, a tool that gives the president the authority to forgive people convicted of federal crimes or end a prison sentence, could also come into use on Day 1. Trump has made it clear he may pardon most of the hundreds of people convicted of storming the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
Whether Trump will try to pardon himself for any federal crimes is an open question. The use of presidential pardons has been a topic of controversy in the past, and Trump’s actions will likely be closely watched by lawmakers and the public.
As Trump begins his second term in office, the world will be watching closely to see how he implements his policies and fulfills his campaign promises. One thing is certain, however: Trump’s presidency will be marked by controversy, drama, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
