WASHINGTON: In Dec last year, Donald Trump stated he wouldn’t be a dictator — “except for Day 1”. According to his own words, he’s got a lot to do on that first day in the White House. “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill,” he said. A look at what he has said he will do in his second term:
Vanish criminal cases: Trump has said “within two seconds” of taking office that he would fire the special counsel who has been prosecuting two federal cases against him. Trump can’t pardon himself when it comes to his state conviction in New York in a hush money case, but he could seek to leverage his status to expunge his felony conviction. A case in Georgia, on poll interference, will likely be the only case left. It would probably be put on hold until 2029.
Mass deport migrants: Last month, Trump said: “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation programme in American history to get the criminals out.” He can begin the effort the minute he arrives in office, but it’s much more complicated to deport the nearly 11 million people who are believed to be in the US illegally. That would require a huge law enforcement force, massive detention facilities, airplanes to move people and nations willing to accept them.
Pardon Capitol rioters: Over 1,500 people have been charged since a mob of Trump supporters attacked the Capitol in 2021. Trump has called the rioters “unbelievable patriots”. As prez, he can pardon anyone convicted and stop prosecution.
Dismantle the ‘deep state’: Trump could begin the process of stripping career employees of their civil service protections, so they could be more easily fired. He wants to “totally obliterate the deep state” — perceived enemies in govt jobs.
Impose tariffs on imports: Trump vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods, particularly those from China, in bid to keep manufacturing jobs in the US.
Drill, drill, drill: He is looking to reverse climate policies. He has pledged to increase production of fossil fuels, promising to “drill, drill, drill”.
