Donald Trump is poised to make a return to the White House, with promises to tackle issues such as immigration, the economy, and the Ukraine war. With his Republican Party now in control of the Senate, he is likely to receive strong backing for his agenda in Congress. In his victory speech, Trump pledged to “keep our promises” and govern by the principle of “Promises made, promises kept.” However, in some areas, he has provided few details on how he plans to meet his objectives.
In 2023, when Fox News asked if he would use his power to target political opponents, Trump replied, “No, no, no, other than day one.” He clarified, “We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
- Deportation of Undocumented Migrants
Trump campaigned on implementing the largest mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in U.S. history. He also promised to complete the Mexico border wall he began in his first term. Border crossings reached record levels during the Biden-Harris administration, though they fell in 2024. - Economic Measures: Tax and Tariffs
Economic issues were important to voters, according to exit polls. Trump has vowed to “end inflation,” which had spiked under President Joe Biden before moderating. He also promises to extend tax cuts, including making tips tax-free, eliminating taxes on Social Security, and lowering corporate taxes. Additionally, he has proposed new tariffs, including a 60% tariff on Chinese imports, despite warnings that this could raise prices for consumers. - Climate and Environmental Rollbacks
During his first term, Trump reversed hundreds of environmental regulations and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. Now, he plans further deregulation, especially to support the American auto industry. Trump has criticized electric vehicles and promised to boost fossil fuel production, starting on his first day in office, even as analysts doubt his claims that this will lower energy costs. - Ending the Ukraine Conflict
Trump has criticized the substantial financial aid given to Ukraine and pledged to end the war with Russia “within 24 hours” through a negotiated deal, without specifying concessions. Democrats argue this could embolden Vladimir Putin. On Gaza, Trump has voiced strong support for Israel but also urged an end to the violence, similarly for Lebanon, though he has not outlined a detailed plan. - No National Abortion Ban
Despite calls from some supporters, Trump said during a debate that he would not sign a national abortion ban. Following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion, Trump has argued that states should make their own laws on the issue, though his position has lacked consistency. - Pardons for Some January 6 Rioters
Trump has stated he would release some individuals convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot, which saw his supporters attempting to prevent the certification of Biden’s 2020 victory. While Trump has downplayed the event and called many convicted individuals “political prisoners,” he acknowledged that “a couple of them…got out of control.” - Dismissal of Special Counsel Jack Smith
Trump vowed to remove Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is investigating Trump on charges related to the 2020 election and mishandling of classified documents. Although Trump denies any wrongdoing and has delayed the cases from going to trial, he has called Smith’s actions a “political witch hunt.” Trump would return to office as the first president with a criminal conviction, stemming from a guilty verdict in New York on falsifying business records.
