When Donald Trump takes office as US president, the first days of his administration will not only be a symbolic event but also an opportunity to set his style and send a clear message about his priorities. With a direct approach, Trump may decide to use executive orders as a tool to implement his policies quickly and effectively. These directives, allowing him to act without congressional intervention, will become a hallmark of his administration, covering everything from national security to foreign policy issues.
On his first day, Trump pledged to sign ‘many’ executive orders, a statement that made clear his intention to exercise his presidential power without delay. Trump explained that some of these orders would address immediate issues such as border security, while others could require years of work. According to Dan Mallinson, associate professor of public policy at Penn State, these orders could be significant in scope, starting with the promised construction of the wall on the border with Mexico and continuing with stricter immigration policies.
Inmigración y deportaciones masivas: Un enfoque despiadado de Donald Trump
One of the issues Trump prioritized since his presidential campaign was immigration, particularly irregular immigration. During his first term, Trump sought to implement a wall between the US and Mexico, the cost of which should have been borne by the Mexican government, a promise that became one of the pillars of his agenda. In his upcoming second term, Trump reiterated his goal of curbing irregular migration, proposing drastic measures involving mass deportations, starting with criminals and then extending to other undocumented immigrants. However, these plans would require considerable effort, and support from local and state authorities, and would face legal challenges.
In addition, Trump expressed his intention to reduce legal immigration by imposing bureaucratic barriers, which would affect skilled workers and international students. In a more radical attempt, Trump also suggested eliminating birthright citizenship in the US through an executive order, although this goal faces the difficulty of being secure in the US Constitution.
Tariffs on imported goods: a threat to the global economy
Another of Trump’s surprising announcements was the possibility of imposing a 10% across-the-board tariff on all goods imported into the US, which would mainly affect its main trading partners: Mexico, Canada, and China. While it is not yet clear whether this measure will materialize, some experts, such as Mallinson, suggest that it could be a negotiating tactic to put pressure on other countries in trade discussions. However, imposing across-the-board tariffs would create economic complications, as well as potential legal disputes that could delay or halt their implementation.
Tariff policy could directly affect US consumers, as the prices of imported goods would rise, leading to public discontent, especially in times of inflation. According to Mallinson, if Trump’s economic policies cause prices to rise or negatively affect the economy, he could quickly lose the popular support that helped him win the election.
The return of the climate controversy: Pulling out of the Paris Agreementin times
One of the actions Trump took during his first term was to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty designed to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions. This decision generated a great deal of controversy and, after Joe Biden’s arrival in the White House, was immediately reversed. However, Trump showed strong disdain for his successor’s environmental policies, and in his second term, he is likely to withdraw from the climate agreement again, one of the first actions he could take with an executive order. In addition, Trump has made clear his support for the expansion of the oil, gas, and fracking industry, while downplaying the importance of renewable energy, such as wind solar, and electric vehicles.
Pardons for Capitol Hill assailants: A controversial act
One of the most sensitive issues for Trump in the early days of his administration will be whether to use his presidential pardon power. Trump was criticised for his role in inciting the assault on the Capitol on 6 January 2021, an event that left a deep mark on US politics. However, Trump left open the possibility of pardoning many of those involved in the riots. In his interview, Trump suggested that the assailants who had pleaded guilty to crimes such as assaulting police officers did so because they had ‘no choice’. If carried out, this act of pardon could generate a sharp political and legal divide in the country.
A term that begins with challenges and opportunities
Trump’s first days in the White House will be marked by drastic decisions and a focus on swift action. While his policies divide the nation, they will also allow him to show his determination to deliver on his campaign promises. The mid-term elections, scheduled for two years from now, will be crucial in determining Trump’s political future and the direction of his tenure.
If he can implement his policies effectively and maintain public support, he could consolidate his position, but if his decisions generate discontent or disagreement, he could face growing opposition.
