With the United States of America just hours away from welcoming Donald Trump as their president once again, his expected outlandish plans for his first week in the Oval Office have been detailed.
After a campaign laced with threats to his opponents, pledges to deport immigrants while scrapping climate protection policies and imposing tariffs that could spark a trade war, the Republican enters the White House for a second time. And while he believes his first term in office was hamstrung by opponents within, this time he will face no such resistance after surrounding himself with yes people and having a Congress in Republican hands, reports the Mirror.
The 78-year-old will be the first felon to enter the White House after his Stormy Daniels hush money conviction and he has vowed to bring in sweeping changes within hours of taking charge in the Oval Office on Monday with a whirlwind of chaotic executive orders. Trump has pledged to “make heads spin” with ambitious and often polarising plans and a purge what he calls the “deep state”.
His outlandish claims already consist of declaring he would “act like a dictator for a day” and end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. The first day is expected to bring a wave of sackings across federal agencies, targeting individuals Trump believes undermined his previous rule.
He said in one campaign video: “Anyone who was part of the witch hunts, the hoaxes, or the fake impeachments… you’re fired.” Justice Department officials, intelligence agency leaders, and more are reportedly at risk. Reports suggest Trump’s transition team has compiled a list of “loyalists” to replace outgoing officials swiftly.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon said: “Trump’s not coming in to play nice. This is a war against the establishment, and he’s bringing the army.” This looming purge sparked speculation outgoing President Joe Biden, 82, might issue pre-emptive pardons for individuals, including high-profile Republicans such Liz Cheney, who broke ranks to criticise Trump.
One strategist warned: “Trump’s retribution tour is going to start on Day One. Biden may see this as a necessary move to preserve the democratic process.” Amid the chaos, the world waits with bated breath to see if Trump’s bold claim he can stop the Ukraine war in a day is just another of his fanciful lies. He said he would use his “great relationship” with Vladimir Putin to broker a peace deal.
Trump has declared: “They’ll listen to me. Zelensky, Putin, they all know I’m the dealmaker.” Sources hinted his plan might involve cutting US military aid to Kyiv as a bargaining chip. It is yet to be seen whether this will result in a breakthrough or a geopolitical disaster.
Beyond America’s own shores, Trump’s global trade agenda is equally concerning for the EU and others. He plans to tackle inflation and protect manufacturing by imposing tariffs of up to 20% on all foreign goods in a bid to get Americans to buy US-made products. But apart from the risk of revenge tariffs on exported US goods, this could also hurt American consumers.
One economist said: “Higher tariffs mean higher prices for everyone.” One of the President-elect’s major obsessions is immigration, which he has promised to address on day one. He vowed to close the US southern border, reinstate his controversial travel bans, and suspend refugee admissions into the country.
His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced plans to launch “the largest mass deportation of illegal immigrants in American history”. Trump plans to end birthright citizenship – a right enshrined in the US Constitution. But experts argue that would need constitutional amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union plans to sue. It said: “This is a direct attack on human rights.”
When it comes to climate change, Trump’s disdain for efforts to save the planet are well known. His wants to prioritise US oil and gas production and will fast-track fracking while blocking Biden-era projects such as wind energy expansions. Trump also plans to pardon rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, after he lost the 2020 election.
At least 750 rioters have been convicted and more than 1,500 arrested. Trump said: “I am inclined to pardon many of them.” But one Democrat responded: “Pardoning domestic terrorists is a step too far.”
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