Donald Trump: A Return to Power Marked by Radical Decisions

After a historic return to the White House, Donald Trump, inaugurated on January 20, has promised to start his second term with a series of spectacular measures to address the “crises” the United States is facing. From his very first day, he plans to act with unprecedented speed and force.

In his inaugural speech, he announced an “avalanche of decrees” that will mark the beginning of what he describes as an era of major change. These executive decisions, which allow him to act without going through Congress, are expected to target key areas such as immigration, the economy, environmental policies, and social issues.

An Unprecedented Deportation Program and an Offensive Against Birthright Citizenship

Immigration is at the heart of his priorities. Donald Trump has promised to launch the “largest deportation program in American history,” targeting the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. To achieve this, he plans to declare a national emergency at the border with Mexico and may even call on the military if necessary. Among his key measures is also the abolition of birthright citizenship, an initiative that, although ambitious, could face constitutional challenges.

Economic Protectionism and Confrontation with China

True to his protectionist stance, Donald Trump plans to reintroduce a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, breaking with free trade agreements. China remains another primary target: he announced his intention to increase tariffs on Chinese products, continuing the trade war initiated during his first term.

According to him, these measures are meant to encourage the repatriation of industrial production to the United States while tackling inflation. However, the impact of these policies on household costs remains uncertain.

Environmental Policy Focused on Fossil Fuels

A declared climate skeptic, Donald Trump promises to reverse his predecessor’s environmental policies. He plans to massively restart oil and gas extraction, including by overturning recent bans on offshore drilling. His “Drill, baby, drill” slogan embodies this commitment to prioritizing fossil fuels, at the expense of international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement, which he intends to abandon once again.

Controversial Social Measures

Among the most controversial initiatives, Donald Trump has promised to limit the rights of transgender individuals, particularly by excluding them from the military and schools, and banning their participation in female sports competitions. He also plans to cut federal funding for schools adopting “Critical Race Theory,” a frequent target of conservatives.

Finally, he intends to use his presidential powers to grant pardons to those convicted in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, a measure he has indicated as a priority during the early hours of his presidency.

A Strengthened Power but Under Constraints

Despite his ambitious goals, Donald Trump will have to navigate a Congress where his maneuvering room is limited. With a slim majority in the House of Representatives and a divided Senate, he is relying on executive orders to bypass legislative gridlock.

Through these announcements, the Republican president appears determined to make a lasting impact during his return to power, relying on radical measures and promises that energize his electoral base but that could deeply divide the nation.