Trump Comes Out Swinging in Rapid Start to Presidency
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Loading... - Omari Hussein
- 23 Jan 2025
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Just three days into his presidency, Donald Trump has made headlines with a series of bold actions and executive orders that signal a significant expansion of presidential power. On the campaign trail for the 2024 election, Trump promised rapid and sweeping changes to American government and society, and so far, he appears to be delivering on those promises.
Supporters like Rick Frazier, a loyal Trump backer from Ohio, express satisfaction with the swift implementation of executive orders. "He signed all the executive orders that he told us he was going to do," Frazier stated, reflecting the enthusiasm among Trump's base. However, this assertive approach has raised concerns among others, including Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, who urged Trump to "have mercy upon people in our country who are scared now" during a prayer service.
One of the most prominent areas of focus has been immigration. Shortly after taking office, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing for the deployment of additional military personnel. He effectively halted new asylum applications and suspended resettlement flights for refugees. For supporters like Frazier, who lost his daughter to a heroin overdose, border security is a top priority. He believes that stricter border controls could have prevented his daughter's access to dangerous substances.
In a controversial move, Trump has also ordered an end to automatic citizenship for children of undocumented migrants born in the U.S., setting the stage for a lengthy legal battle over what has traditionally been viewed as a constitutional guarantee. While Trump has promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants, there have been no visible signs of large-scale enforcement actions as of yet.
Bryan Lanza, a former senior adviser to Trump, emphasized that the message behind deportations is more important than the actual numbers. "It's never about a number," he said, suggesting that the fear of deportation could deter others from entering the country illegally.
While immigration remains a key issue, economic concerns, particularly inflation, have also been at the forefront of Trump's agenda. He declared a "national energy emergency" and rescinded several Biden-era protections for fossil fuel extraction, aiming to lower energy prices. Trump believes that reducing energy costs will lead to lower prices for food and other goods, stating, "When energy comes down, the prices of food and the prices of everything else come down."
Despite the potential long-term impact of these policies, some voters, like Aziz Wehbey, a Syrian-American Republican, are optimistic about the immediate effects on the economy. "The economy is starting to move and not be frozen," he noted.
Trump has also hinted at implementing tariffs on major trade partners, a move that could protect American industries but may also raise consumer costs. Economists have cautioned that such tariffs could negatively impact businesses reliant on imports, leading Trump to approach this issue with caution.
In addition to economic and immigration policies, Trump has focused on reshaping the federal workforce. He reinstated rules allowing for the dismissal of senior civil servants, suspended new regulations, and ordered federal employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to be placed on paid leave. He also made headlines by renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and directing the government to recognize only two sexes in official documents.
As Trump embarks on his second term, he promises more significant actions that will likely test the limits of presidential power. Former adviser Lanza suggests that the controversy surrounding Trump's actions is a strategic advantage, stating, "Controversy enhances the message." In the current political landscape, where noise and drama dominate, Trump's approach appears to be a calculated effort to ensure his message resonates with his supporters.
With the early days of his presidency marked by bold moves and a commitment to his campaign promises, Trump is poised to continue making waves in American politics as he seeks to solidify his agenda and rally his base for the upcoming election.
