Trump looks to remake America with sweeping second act

Every new president opens a new chapter in American history. On Monday, as Donald Trump was sworn into office in a frigid Washington, D.C., he hoped to usher in a new era for the country. Due to the extreme cold, the inauguration was moved inside the Capitol Rotunda for the first time in decades, also marking the start of his being judged on actions rather than promises.

Trump promised sweeping changes and to take action on his first day in office. At a raucous rally in the city on Sunday, Trump said he would immediately sign a series of executive orders after being sworn in, covering issues from immigration and deportations to the environment and transgender rights. “You’re going to have fun watching television tomorrow,” he told the crowd there.

But even if his presidency opens with a "bombshell," questions remain about what Trump's "second act" will look like. As he returns to the White House, will we feel the tectonic plates of power shifting beneath our feet? Can he deliver on his promises of sweeping reform? Will it be the apocalypse his opponents suggest? Listening to some critics, you might think the sky would turn black and birds would flee Washington the moment he was sworn in.

Many fear he will try to rule as a dictator and undermine American democracy. His predecessor, Joe Biden, in his final Oval Office address, explicitly warned that a dangerous oligarchy of unaccountable billionaires forming around Trump was threatening Americans’ fundamental rights and freedoms. But undeniably, the 78-year-old Trump has a clear mandate after winning a decisive election victory in November. He won both the popular and electoral votes, sweeping the swing states. His agenda has been endorsed by the voters.

This time, Trump is determined that his agenda will be implemented. He has a more experienced and loyal team to ensure it. He also plans—presumably with the help of Elon Musk’s “government efficiency division”—to rapidly fire a large number of civil servants and officials. Trump still believes that there is a “deep state” within the U.S. government that will try to obstruct his agenda. We can therefore expect a purge of federal employees far exceeding the usual changeover of administrations, and a more politicized government machine behind him.

Many of his plans, such as large tax cuts for big corporations and the very wealthy, will require legislation to pass Congress. But this will not be a problem, as he controls the Republican Party and its majorities in both chambers. Senators and Congressmen are unlikely to defy him on major issues. And he has Musk ready to use his social media platform and vast fortune to bring any rebels into line.

What could stop Trump from arresting and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, or using the justice system to target political opponents he deems enemies? There are logistical and financial obstacles, to be sure, particularly when it comes to mass deportations, but Democratic opposition alone may not be enough to stop it. After all, the party is still recovering from its crushing election defeat. It is riven by internal conflict, and members are conducting a lengthy “post-mortem” on the election results. And the resistance movement that mobilized before Trump’s first term, sparking nationwide protests that brought over a million people into the streets after his inauguration, seems less active this time around.

After his 2020 election defeat, Trump was kicked off social media platforms after the Capitol Hill riots and his baseless claims of voter fraud. These companies have begun to treat him differently this time, as he prepares to be sworn in inside the Rotunda that his supporters roamed on January 6, 2021. Sitting in the VIP section will be a collection of the world’s richest people. Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg will all be in attendance. The CEOs of Google, Apple, and TikTok will also be there. This is the living embodiment of the ultra-rich “tech-industrial complex” that Biden warned about in his farewell address.

These men have already begun to establish warm relationships with Trump. Zuckerberg’s Meta is abandoning fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram, and Bezos prevented The Washington Post (which he owns) from endorsing Kamala Harris. They have all donated millions to Trump’s inauguration fund. Whether in Congress or the corporate world, Trump is being welcomed back into office this time with open arms by America’s power brokers.

Undoubtedly, the raft of executive orders he issues on his first day in office will contain some eye-catching actions designed to please his base. Such as issuing presidential pardons for many, if not all, of those convicted for their part in the Capitol Hill riots. His supporters will be delighted to see those they regard as political hostages released from prison. Trump needs a constant stream of populist actions like this. Because some of his plans may run counter to what some of his supporters voted for.

Many people want to see prices come down after years of high inflation. But most economists believe that imposing tariffs on imported goods is likely to drive prices even higher. Mass deportations could lead to labor shortages in the construction industry—complicating his promise to build more homes—and in the agricultural sector, which could further increase food prices. And it looks like it will be billionaires, not the working class, who will benefit from the largest tax cuts.

Eye-catching proposals, such as a promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, may excite many who voted him into office. But it remains to be seen how many Americans will feel the benefits of his headline policies. However, Trump is the ultimate political showman. His ability to entertain is part of his power and appeal. But his second term agenda runs deeper than pure showmanship and will be transformative if implemented.

His return to the White House will be dramatic and eventful, with consequences that will be felt globally. It has the potential to change the United States in fundamental and lasting ways.