Five significant developments from Donald Trump’s initial week as president-elect

Donald Trump has acted swiftly since his victory in the US presidential election to establish the groundwork for his upcoming term in the White House. He has articulated his initial priorities, which have surprised some in Washington and globally. Here are the key observations from his eventful first week as president-elect. Trump commenced forming his senior leadership team almost immediately, proposing cabinet selections for Senate confirmation and appointing White House advisors and other high-ranking staff. However, this only partially conveys the full scope. His choices indicate a plan for a fundamental restructuring of government, opting for individuals loyal to him and aligned with his vision for a second term that aims to disrupt the existing order in Washington, rather than more conventional and seasoned candidates. For instance, his nominee for defence secretary has advocated for a purge of military leaders implementing “woke” policies. His proposed health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has stated his intention to “clear out corruption” at America’s health agencies and eliminate “entire departments” at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, there is a promised “Department of Government Efficiency“ to be led by advisors Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, which Trump states will concentrate on reducing regulations and achieving historic cost savings. The broader implication is that Trump’s prospective team is largely loyal and favors comprehensive overhauls of their respective government departments. Republicans have secured control of both the House and the Senate, providing the party with a crucial, though narrow, majority in both legislative bodies for at least the next two years, until the customary midterm elections. This represents a substantial advantage for Trump’s agenda. It means he will find it easier to enact legislation and ensures a favorable path for his policy objectives to become law. The Democratic Party will, consequently, have diminished capacity to obstruct and oppose his agenda. Furthermore, Trump should currently be able to avoid the type of congressional investigations he encountered during the latter half of his first term. Ultimately, Republican dominance in Congress could prove instrumental in advancing his major commitments, such as widespread deportations, extensive tariffs on foreign imports, and the reversal of environmental protections. Nevertheless, Trump’s legislative journey in Congress will not always be without obstacles. Trump’s influence faced a challenge earlier this week when Senate Republicans chose their new leader. While he did not directly intervene in the contest, there was a coordinated effort from the president-elect’s most vocal supporters and sympathetic ‘Maga’ media outlets to secure the election of hard-line Trump loyalist Rick Scott. However, Scott was defeated in the initial round, and Republicans selected a more traditional candidate in John Thune, whose relationship with Trump has been more contentious. It is important to note that this was a secret ballot, thus not a public rejection of Trumpworld. More significant tests of Trump’s authority on Capitol Hill are anticipated, particularly during confirmation hearings for his more controversial cabinet nominees. Some Senate Republicans, for example, have already indicated their opposition to Trump’s unexpected selection of Matt Gaetz to head the justice department. While much attention focused on the president-elect’s nominations and appointments, it was also highlighted that his electoral victory has altered the landscape of his legal challenges. Specifically in New York, his criminal fraud conviction in the hush-money case remains active for at least a few more days. Yet, it could soon become a matter of the past. Earlier this week, a judge postponed a decision on whether Trump’s conviction should be dismissed due to a Supreme Court ruling from the summer that expanded presidential immunity. That ruling is now expected next week. And while it is uncertain if the conviction will be overturned, Trump’s scheduled sentencing on 26 November is likely to be postponed regardless. It is widely recognized that Trump holds a different global perspective than Biden, and this could significantly alter US foreign policy in the coming years. A clear pattern emerging recently is the prominence of China hawks within his proposed team—individuals who believe Beijing poses a serious threat to US economic and military supremacy and advocate for a more assertive challenge. These figures are present across all levels. His nominee for secretary of state—America’s chief diplomat—Marco Rubio, has characterized China as the “most advanced adversary America has ever faced”. Mike Waltz, his national security adviser, has stated that the US is engaged in a “cold war” with China. Other nominees, such as his proposed ambassador to the UN, Elise Stefanik, have directly accused China of election interference. During Trump’s first administration, relations with Beijing were strained, and they barely improved under Biden. With the prospect of tariffs, export controls, and sharp rhetoric, the president-elect appears prepared to adopt an even firmer stance this time.