Donald Trump’s Stated Policy Commitments for Presidency

Donald Trump is poised to re-enter the White House, having committed to addressing matters such as immigration, the economy, and the conflict in Ukraine. He is anticipated to receive substantial backing for his policy objectives in Congress, following the Republican Party’s recapture of the Senate. During his victory address, Trump declared his intention to “govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept. We’re going to keep our promises”. However, he has, in certain instances, provided limited specifics regarding the implementation of his goals. When questioned by Fox News in 2023 about potential abuses of power or targeting of political adversaries, he responded that he would not, “except for day one”. He elaborated, stating, “No, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.” During his campaign, Trump committed to implementing the largest mass deportations of undocumented migrants in US history. He further vowed to finalize the construction of a wall along the border with Mexico, a project initiated during his initial presidential term. Crossings at the US southern border reached unprecedented levels at the close of last year under the Biden-Harris administration, subsequently decreasing in 2024. According to experts cited by the BBC, deportations of the magnitude proposed by Trump would encounter significant legal and logistical hurdles and could impede economic growth. Exit poll information has indicated that the economy constituted a primary concern for voters. Trump has pledged to “end inflation,” which escalated significantly during President Joe Biden’s tenure before receding. However, a president’s direct capacity to influence prices is constrained. He has also committed to extensive tax reductions, expanding upon his 2017 reforms. His proposals include exempting tips from taxation, eliminating taxes on social security payments, and reducing corporation tax. Furthermore, he has suggested implementing new tariffs of at least 10% on the majority of foreign products to diminish the trade deficit. He has stated that imports from China might incur an additional 60% tariff. Some economists have cautioned that such measures could lead to increased costs for consumers. In his initial presidency, Trump reversed numerous environmental safeguards and positioned America as the first country to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. For his potential second term, he has once more committed to reducing regulations, specifically to support the American car industry. He has consistently criticized electric vehicles, promising to reverse Biden’s objectives promoting the transition to more environmentally friendly automobiles. He has also pledged to boost US fossil fuel production, vowing to “drill, drill, drill” on day one, prioritizing it over renewable energy sources like wind power. He aims to open regions such as the Arctic wilderness for oil drilling, contending this would decrease energy expenses, although analysts express skepticism. Trump has voiced criticism regarding the tens of billions of dollars the US has allocated to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, and he has committed to concluding the war “within 24 hours” via a negotiated settlement. He has not specified what concessions he believes either party should make. Democrats assert that such an action would embolden President Vladimir Putin. More broadly, Trump advocates for the US to disengage from foreign conflicts. Concerning the war in Gaza, Trump has presented himself as a firm backer of Israel but has called upon the American ally to cease its operation. He has also pledged to halt the associated violence in Lebanon, without providing details on his method. Contrary to the desires of some of his adherents, Trump stated during the presidential debate with Kamala Harris that he would not enact a national abortion ban. In 2022, the constitutional right to abortion across the nation was revoked by the Supreme Court, which had a conservative judicial majority established during Trump’s initial presidency. Reproductive rights emerged as a significant campaign theme for Harris, and multiple states endorsed provisions to safeguard or broaden abortion access on election day. Trump himself has frequently asserted that states should possess the autonomy to determine their own abortion legislation, yet he has encountered difficulty in articulating a consistent personal position. Trump has indicated his intention to “free” some individuals convicted of offenses stemming from the riot in Washington DC on 6 January 2021, when his supporters breached the Capitol building in an attempt to obstruct Joe Biden’s 2020 election triumph. Multiple fatalities were attributed to the unrest, which Trump was accused of instigating. He has endeavored to minimize the riot’s importance and portray the hundreds of convicted supporters as political prisoners. He persistently claims that many are “wrongfully imprisoned,” though he has conceded that “a couple of them, probably they got out of control.” Trump has pledged to dismiss “within two seconds” of assuming office the seasoned prosecutor overseeing two criminal inquiries against him. Special Counsel Jack Smith has brought charges against Trump concerning alleged endeavors to invalidate the 2020 election and his purported mishandling of classified documents. Trump refutes any misconduct and succeeded in preventing either case from proceeding to trial prior to the election. He asserts that Mr Smith has subjected him to a “political witch hunt.” Trump is set to return to the White House as the first president in history with a criminal conviction, having been found guilty in New York for falsifying business records. North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher provides analysis of the presidential race in his twice-weekly US Election Unspun newsletter. Readers located in the UK can subscribe here, while those outside the UK can subscribe here. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.