Since stepping back into the Oval Office, Donald Trump has rapidly set into motion a series of changes and orders that reflect the promises he made during his campaign. Focusing heavily on issues such as immigration, national security, and the economy, his administration has also sought to undo several initiatives from the previous leadership.
One of his initial actions was to bring back strict border policies like the “Remain in Mexico” program. This means asylum seekers are required to stay outside the U.S. while waiting for their cases to be processed. Additionally, he signed orders to boost deportations of undocumented immigrants and pitched the idea of eradicating birthright citizenship, though this will likely face legal challenges. Trump’s team has also targeted sanctuary cities, threatening to pull federal funds from places that refuse to comply with federal immigration laws.
When it comes to energy policy, Trump has reversed several environmental regulations, placing a strong emphasis on domestic oil and gas production. He once again pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord and lifted restrictions on drilling and building pipelines. His administration argues these actions will help strengthen the economy and boost the nation’s energy independence.
In the realm of social policy, there have been notable shifts. Orders were signed to dial back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within federal agencies and the military, as well as halting federal monies for gender-transition surgeries. Furthermore, Trump has expressed firm opposition to “woke ideology” in educational institutions – proposing new educational guidelines that focus on patriotism and eliminate what his team deems as “leftist indoctrination.”
In a move stirring controversy, Trump provided pardons to over a thousand people linked to the January 6 Capitol event. Additionally, several Justice Department officials involved in past actions against him were dismissed. These steps have raised concerns and discussions about political interference within the justice system.
Trump recently presented a new policy proposal suggesting the exile of repeat criminal offenders to other countries. He unveiled this idea at a meeting with House Republicans in Miami, proposing that the U.S. pay other nations a “modest fee” to accept individuals with multiple felony convictions. According to Trump, this plan would alleviate prison crowding and reduce taxpayer expenses, theoretically deterring future crimes in the U.S. by repeat offenders.
This proposal has sparked heated debates, with critics arguing that exiling American citizens is unconstitutional and poses significant human rights risks. Many legal specialists doubt the feasibility of finding nations willing to take in convicted criminals, suggesting that any forceful relocation of Americans would likely be contested legally. Comparisons have been drawn to historical practices like colonial deportations, questioning whether such practices belong in today’s society.
Despite the uproar, Trump’s supporters generally back this idea, viewing it as a strong stance on crime which fits into his broader agenda of maintaining law and order. The administration has not laid out specific plans for implementing such a policy but has signalled an intent to explore all viable legal methods to pursue this approach.
