Donald Trump is preparing to return to the White House, promising action on immigration, the economy, and the Ukraine war.
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He appears to have plenty of support in Congress for his political agenda now that his Republican Party has retaken control of the Senate.
In his victory speech, Trump pledged to “govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept.” We are going to honor our promises.
In several cases, however, he has provided little clarity about how he intends to achieve his goals.
When asked by Fox News in 2023 if he would abuse his position or target political opponents, he said no, “except for day one”.
1) Deport unauthorized immigrants
While campaigning, Trump vowed the largest mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants in US history.
He also promised to finish the wall built along the Mexican border that began during his previous presidency.
The number of crossings along the US southern border reached a new high at the end of last year during the Biden-Harris administration, before declining in 2024.
Experts have informed the BBC that deportations on the scale proposed by Trump would pose significant legal and logistical hurdles, potentially slowing economic growth.
2) Discusses the economy, taxes, and tariffs
Exit poll data indicated that the economy was a major concern for voters. Trump has promised to “end inflation,” which reached high levels under President Joe Biden before falling again. But a president’s ability to directly control prices is limited.
He has also pledged significant tax cuts, extending his makeover beyond 2017. He has advocated making tips tax-free, eliminating social security taxes, and lowering corporate taxes.
He has recommended increased taxes of at least 10% on most foreign items to reduce the trade gap. Imports from China might face an additional 60% duty, he claimed. Some analysts have warned that such changes could raise prices for ordinary consumers.
3 Cut climate regulations
During his first term, Trump repealed hundreds of environmental laws and made America the first country to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
This time, he has committed to reduce regulations, notably to benefit the American auto industry. He has repeatedly opposed electric vehicles, pledging to overturn Biden’s targets for supporting the transition to cleaner cars.
He has promised to enhance US fossil fuel production, vowing to “drill, drill, drill” from the start in favor of renewable energy sources like wind power.
He wants to open up areas such as the Arctic wilderness to oil drilling, which he claims will reduce energy costs – but economists are skeptical.
4) Bring an end to the Ukraine war.
Trump has criticized the US for spending tens of billions of dollars to defend Ukraine in its war with Russia, and has promised to end the crisis “within 24 hours” through a negotiated agreement.
He has not stated what he believes either side should give up. Democrats claim the move will strengthen President Vladimir Putin.
Trump wants the United States to distance itself from foreign conflicts in general. Regarding the Gaza war, Trump has positioned himself as a firm backer of Israel while also urging the American ally to cease its operations.
He has also committed to eliminate the associated violence in Lebanon, but has not provided any details on how.
5) There is no abortion ban.
Despite the wishes of some of his fans, Trump stated during the presidential debate with Kamala Harris that he would not enact a countrywide abortion ban.
In 2022, the Supreme Court, which had a majority of conservative judges after Trump’s first term, removed the nationwide constitutional right to abortion.
Reproductive rights became a prominent campaign issue for Harris, and numerous states passed legislation to safeguard or expand abortion rights on election day.
Trump has repeatedly stated that states should be free to pass their own abortion laws, but he has struggled to establish a clear message of his own.
6) Pardon some Jan. 6 rioters.
Trump has stated that he will “free” some of those convicted of crimes committed during the riot in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, when his supporters attacked the Capitol building in an attempt to prevent Joe Biden from winning the 2020 presidential election.
Several deaths were linked to the violence, which Trump was accused of instigating.
He has sought to minimize the riot’s impact and recast the hundreds of supporters who were condemned as political prisoners.
He continues to claim that many of them are “wrongfully imprisoned,” but admits that “a couple of them, probably, got out of control.”
7) Sack Special Counsel, Jack Smith
Trump has pledged to fire the senior prosecutor in charge of two criminal investigations into him “within two seconds” after assuming office.
Special Counsel Jack Smith has accused Trump for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election and mishandling secret data.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and was able to avoid either case going to trial before the election. He accuses Mr Smith of conducting a “political witch hunt” against him.
Trump will become the first president to return to the White House after being convicted in New York of falsifying corporate records.