Based on some of his statements, Donald Trump’s “Day One” plan sounds like a whirlwind of bold actions, rollbacks, and major changes. He’s got his sights set on everything from pardoning himself and his January 6 allies to tearing up climate policies, deporting migrants en masse, and firing anyone in the federal government he doesn’t think is loyal. In classic Trump fashion, his comeback agenda reads like a mission to make the White House his personal HQ, where he’d handle everything from fossil fuel expansions to education crackdowns without a second thought.
The Associated Press has cited his Day One plan as, “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill.” It’s no surprise that Trump’s top priorities include locking down immigration even harder and ramping up fossil fuels, reversing Biden’s climate policies in the name of “cheap gas” and industry profit.
Let’s not forget about the promised pardons. Trump plans to start by pardoning himself, and anyone he thinks got a raw deal after January 6. He’s said he’d fire Jack Smith, the prosecutor investigating him, basically tossing aside any accountability and making sure his fellow patriots walk free. While he can’t pardon himself on state charges (hello, New York hush money case), he’ll still try to use his power to squirm out of other convictions or delay trials, maybe even past his term.
Trump promises to “drill, drill, drill” as he rolls back any climate policies is a no-brainer. Expect him to reverse Biden’s clean energy plans and boost fossil fuel production, probably opening up areas like the Arctic for oil drilling, too. For Trump, protecting the planet is a lie fed to the public by the Democratic party. Making companies profitable and helping the public means cheap gas.
On immigration, Trump’s got big plans for mass deportations and shutting down the border even tighter. He believes these moves will fix the economy.
He’s also going after the “deep state,” which means firing federal workers he thinks are against him. Trump wants to get rid of thousands of career employees, reshape the government with people who are loyal to him, and revive his “Schedule F” order to make it easier to fire anyone he views as a threat.
As for education, Trump plans to reverse protections for transgender students. He’s made it clear he wants to undo Biden’s orders supporting them in schools, saying he’ll act on day one to eliminate these rights.
And, just to wrap things up, he’s saying he could end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours. Bold claim? Definitely. Likely? Less so. It’s part of his “fix everything” mindset, but only time will tell if he can really follow through.
