Donald Trump’s return to the White House has stirred up discussions about potential policies and actions he might take on his first day as president. With his plans spanning various controversial issues, the expectations are as high as the stakes are significant. From revoking executive orders to reigniting debates over immigration, healthcare, and environmental regulations, Trump's strategy seems set to once again pivot the nation’s direction.
Much speculation surrounds how Trump, once reinstated, plans to address the federal deficit. According to reports from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Trump could slash the deficit by approximately $1.4 trillion over the next decade merely by overturning many of President Biden's executive actions. This potential move is framed as part of Trump's aggressive agenda, which includes reforming fiscal policies.
Elon Musk, a close confidant of Trump, seems to be at the helm of these plans, with recent statements alluding to drastic cuts to the “bloated federal budget.” Ramaswamy, another key player behind the scenes, indicated, “Yes, the federal deficit is a longstanding bipartisan problem—but it’s remarkable how much damage was done by Biden’s executive actions alone.” This perspective suggests Trump intends to leverage Biden’s own policies to create substantial savings.
During his tenure, President Biden undid several of Trump’s executive orders on Day One, including ones related to immigration. Many of these decisions led to increased federal spending on benefits for migrants, a point Trump seems intent on reversing, reinstilling previous policies to regain fiscal control. The emphasis on rescinding Biden's spending initiatives points toward Trump’s broader agenda of trimming what he perceives as excessive government expenditure.
A detailed report has identified several major areas where Trump could potentially enact immediate savings: the cancellation of Biden’s plans for student loan debt forgiveness could save around $550 billion. Plans like the SAVE Income-Driven Repayment Program have already been put on hold due to various court challenges, making them ripe for reconsideration under the Trump administration.
If Trump proceeds with these reversals, it could net savings of up to $385 billion by targeting healthcare executive actions—particularly new Medicaid grants and rules changes aimed at eligibility—alongside moves to limit coverage for obesity treatments and adjust nursing home standards. These areas are contentious politically, as they directly impact vulnerable populations reliant on these services.
Aside from economic policies, Trump’s energy agenda is also lighting up headlines. His first day is expected to roll out plans prioritizing U.S. oil and gas production and expediting permits for drilling on federal lands. Trump has spoken about setting aside restrictions on liquefied natural gas exports and even moving to resuscitate the Keystone Pipeline project, halted by Biden.
While his plans signal an aggressive push to bolster domestic energy production, critics question the long-term ramifications on climate strategy. The opposition contends the energy shifts could deepen the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, impacting broader environmental objectives. Trump’s administration aims to guide international energy policies away from environmentally-focused agendas back toward those favoring energy security.
His administration's anticipated attempts to cut back on electric vehicle tax credits add another layer to the discussions. This move could lead to significant impacts on the electric vehicle market, raising concerns among manufacturers and environmental advocates about the future of American auto innovation.
Then there are the tariffs Trump proposes against key trading partners. Tariffs on imports are set to increase again, especially targeted at countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada. This could disrupt existing trade structures and provoke retaliatory measures from these countries. Trump has previously cited national security concerns and economic integrity as justifications for such tariffs, but experts warn these could strain international relations and create instability within global supply chains.
Lastly, as Trump’s administration gears up for potential clashes with state governments, major Democratic leaders are already laying the groundwork to counter his policies. Governors like Gavin Newsom are gathering officials to strategize ways to protect their jurisdictions from expected maneuvers by the federal government, reminiscent of actions taken during Trump’s previous tenure.
Critics are already anticipating many of these executive actions could face immediate legal scrutiny. Several issues could lead to challenges once Trump begins to assert his policies, especially those likely infringing on established laws or related to immigration and civil rights. The litigation environment may echo the early days of Trump's first presidency when many orders were quickly contested and held up by the courts.
Yet, Trump’s appointments of compliant officials could give the perception of increased executive power. Analysts like Kenneth Lowande suggest the idea of unilateral powers often results more from political posturing than effective governance. Despite the flashiness of certain policies, the reality of enacting them might prove more complex and challenging than anticipated.
At the end of the day, Trump's potential policies on the first day will set the stage for his second term—and their impact will be monitored closely by supporters and opponents alike. What promises actualize and which remain stuck in the political limbo of legislation and public opinion is yet to be seen. For now, it’s clear: the air is thick with anticipation, and the chessboard is set for another high-stakes game of American politics.
