Donald Trump Set to Flex Executive Power on First Day of Second Term
As he takes the oath of office for his second term, President Donald Trump plans to unleash a sweeping demonstration of presidential power on Monday, executing a series of hardline executive actions on issues such as immigration, energy production, and transgender athletes. In a move meant to showcase his strongman persona, Trump aims to fundamentally alter America’s course by sundown on his inauguration day.
Just before taking office, outgoing President Joe Biden exercised his own executive power, granting preemptive pardons to public servants deemed potential targets of Trump’s vows to seek retribution against his adversaries. The list includes former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of Congress and staff who served on the committee investigating the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.
Trump’s informal and showmanship-driven approach is rooted in his resilience, having survived two assassination attempts, impeachments, criminal indictments, and one conviction. His return to power is a stark reminder of his imperialist aspirations and the need to judge his actions beyond their stunts and hyperbole.
The president-elect has promised transformational change, but his second term will face significant challenges. His “shock and awe” deportation raids and showdowns in Democratic-run cities are meant to make a political point and deter more migration, but they could also create a climate of fear that rebounds against Trump and Republicans.
Despite the challenges, Trump is undeterred, planning to launch executive actions at a historic speed, promising to “fix every single crisis facing our country.” However, his limited congressional majorities and the uncertainty of his domestic and global ambitions will test the depth and sustainability of his actions.
The authoritarian streak revealed in Trump’s previous term has alarmed many Americans, and his foreign policy ambitions are already sparking concerns from allies around the world. As he seeks to launch his second term with a bang, Trump’s path forward will be marked by an unprecedented level of presidential power, but also great uncertainty and unpredictability.