As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Monday, his transition team has outlined an ambitious plan to enact sweeping changes to U.S. policy, with nearly 100 executive orders set to be signed on his first day. Many of these orders aim to reverse actions taken by the outgoing Biden administration, particularly in areas such as immigration, energy, and federal government operations.
Border Security and Immigration Policies
One of the key priorities for Trump’s first day in office will be addressing border security. In a preview call with senior congressional Republicans, Stephen Miller, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff for policy, revealed that the new president would immediately invoke a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. This move would unlock additional funding for Trump’s long-standing border security initiatives, a central issue in his previous term.
Trump is also expected to reinstate a number of his administration’s hardline immigration policies, including the “Remain in Mexico” program. This policy mandates that non-Mexican asylum seekers stay in Mexico while they await their U.S. court dates, a measure that was rolled back by the Biden administration in 2021. Additionally, the incoming administration will designate several drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which is expected to further tighten immigration enforcement.
Miller made it clear that these actions would undo many of the policies enacted by President Joe Biden, including the cancellation of several Trump-era immigration measures when Biden took office.
Government Operations and Civil Service Reform
Beyond immigration, Trump’s executive orders will focus heavily on reshaping the federal government’s operations. A particularly controversial order is expected to revive his Schedule F directive, which would remove job protections for federal workers, allowing the president to more easily replace those in nonpartisan positions with political appointees. Critics view this as part of a broader push to overhaul the civil service, but Trump’s team argues it will streamline government operations and improve efficiency.
Trump’s administration will also push for significant changes to how the U.S. government manages its workforce, with a special emphasis on reducing bureaucracy and increasing accountability.
Energy, Diversity, and Inclusion Policies
Energy policy will also be a focal point, with Trump expected to declare a national emergency aimed at expanding domestic energy production, including further investment in oil, gas, and coal industries. This aligns with Trump’s previous stance of promoting U.S. energy independence and reducing reliance on foreign energy sources.
Trump is also poised to roll back Biden-era policies focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal government. This will likely include undoing gender-related executive orders signed by Biden, which aimed to advance transgender rights and promote gender equality across federal agencies.
The Department of Government Efficiency
In a further push to overhaul federal operations, Trump’s team has outlined plans to create or empower a Department of Government Efficiency. This department would play a central role in ensuring that government services are streamlined and more responsive to the needs of the American public, with an eye toward eliminating what the administration views as unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
Legal Challenges Ahead
While the scale of Trump’s proposed executive orders is unprecedented, it is expected that many will face immediate legal challenges. The Biden administration’s rollback of Trump’s orders in 2021 faced multiple court battles, and Trump’s second term is likely to see similar pushback. However, Trump’s legal team remains confident that these measures will stand up in court and pave the way for lasting changes to U.S. policy and governance.
In conclusion, Trump’s first day in office will be marked by an aggressive and wide-ranging series of executive actions aimed at reshaping U.S. policies on immigration, energy, civil service reform, and government operations. While the measures are expected to face opposition and legal hurdles, they are a clear indication of the direction Trump intends to take in his second term.
