Trump’s Day-One Promises: A Look at His Ambitious Plan for His Potential Return to the White House

Former President Donald Trump has a bold, uncompromising vision for his first day in the White House. Recently, he declared he wouldn’t be a “dictator” — except for his first day in office. But what exactly does that entail? Here’s a breakdown of Trump’s sweeping plans, from deportations to revamping federal policies and potentially ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

Criminal Cases and Federal Pardons

Trump has openly stated he would fire Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting him on federal charges involving alleged election interference and the mishandling of classified documents. While Trump could potentially end these federal cases, he cannot pardon himself for state-level convictions, such as the New York case involving hush money payments. The Georgia election interference case also presents significant challenges, potentially lasting until the end of his term if he’s reelected.

Pardoning Capitol Riot Defendants

Since launching his general election campaign, Trump has framed the January 6 Capitol riot as an act of patriotism. He’s pledged to pardon most of those convicted of involvement in the riot, referring to these individuals as “unbelievable patriots.” Using presidential authority, Trump could halt further prosecutions related to the event by directing his attorney general to drop ongoing cases.

Dismantling the Federal “Deep State”

Trump has indicated he’ll take swift action against what he perceives as a bureaucratic “deep state.” By reviving the 2020 “Schedule F” executive order, he would strip job protections from thousands of federal employees, making them easier to replace with loyalists. However, this proposed overhaul may face legal obstacles, as Biden’s administration rescinded the order, and recent federal personnel policies could delay Trump’s changes.

Tariffs on Imported Goods

During his campaign, Trump vowed to reinstate broad tariffs on imported goods, specifically from China and Mexico. His rationale is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and support national security. While past tariffs on steel and aluminum were enacted through executive orders, Trump may again bypass Congress to impose new import taxes.

Rolling Back Transgender Protections

As part of his “Day One” agenda, Trump intends to revoke Biden-era protections for transgender students under Title XI, which addresses discrimination in schools. He has criticized these protections and vowed to end them immediately. Additionally, he has hinted at enforcing policies that would restrict schools from promoting “critical race theory” and other “political content.”

Reviving Fossil Fuel Production

Trump has pledged to initiate extensive drilling operations across the U.S., claiming this will drive down energy costs. On his first day, he aims to reverse several environmental protections and Biden’s electric vehicle push. His promise to “drill, drill, drill” signals a shift from emissions reductions to maximizing fossil fuel output.

Ending the Russia-Ukraine War in “One Day”

Trump believes he could broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine within a single day. Although his plan lacks specifics, Trump has stated he would bring President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the negotiating table. His approach aims to end the conflict quickly, even as Russia’s ambassador to the U.N. expressed doubt over Trump’s timeline.

Mass Deportations of Undocumented Migrants

Another significant aspect of Trump’s first-day goals is to begin mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Using the Alien Enemies Act, he could attempt to deport individuals he deems a threat. Trump has signaled his intent to activate the National Guard, potentially relying on sympathetic Republican governors to send troops to enforce his deportation plan in non-participating states. The program would be logistically complex and costly, requiring large-scale detention facilities and transportation efforts.

The Road Ahead

Should he return to the White House, Trump’s first day promises to be ambitious and transformative. While some actions could be implemented immediately through executive orders, many of his goals would require navigating legal battles, congressional resistance, and logistical challenges. Whether he can fulfill this extensive agenda on “Day One” remains to be seen, but his plans hint at a presidency focused on radical policy shifts and a swift dismantling of his predecessor’s achievements.