In a development poised to significantly impact Washington, President-elect Donald Trump is preparing for a brisk start to his forthcoming term. Capitol Hill is abuzz with talk of Trump's intention to release a slew of over 100 executive orders, set to be unveiled right at the onset of his administration.
Border Security and Immigration: A Central Focus
Central to Trump's executive agenda is a stringent focus on border security and immigration enforcement. The Trump team is doubling down on their firm stance, with plans to:
- Revive and complete the U.S.-Mexico border wall project
- Establish new immigration detention centers
- Reinstate policies requiring migrants to apply for asylum outside the U.S. or remain in Mexico during processing
These initiatives are part of a substantial $100 billion proposal that the incoming administration and GOP Congress are working to fund through budget reconciliation.
The "Low-Hanging Fruit" Approach
Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) shared insights on Trump's initial focus: around 1 million individuals who have recently entered the country, possess criminal convictions, or have been deemed by the courts as ineligible to remain. "That's the low-hanging fruit," Lankford remarked, hinting at the administration's plan to begin with what they perceive as the simplest deportation cases.
Beyond Immigration: An Expansive Agenda
Trump's executive order spree extends beyond border control. The incoming administration is targeting a variety of policy areas:
- Energy production
- Federal workforce regulations (Schedule F)
- School gender policies
- Vaccine mandates
This wide-ranging approach underscores Trump's intent to promptly reverse many of the Biden administration's policies and set a new direction for the country.
The Capitol Hill Briefing: Laying the Groundwork
In a private briefing with Republican senators on Capitol Hill, Trump and his team, including senior adviser Stephen Miller, outlined their blueprint. The meeting left senators like John Hoeven (R-N.D.) expecting a "substantial number" of executive actions from the start.
A New Chapter of Executive Authority?
Trump's planned blitz of executive orders is drawing attention as an extraordinary exercise of presidential power. By circumventing the usual legislative process, Trump is poised to exercise authority in ways that could reshape the executive branch's role.
The Path Forward: Confirmation Hearings and Day One Preparations
As Trump's team readies for their spree of executive orders, the Senate is preparing for a busy schedule of confirmation hearings for Trump's Cabinet nominees. While the idea of same-day confirmations may be optimistic, Senate Majority Leader John Thune hopes for a smooth process. In the end, Trump's ambitious day-one agenda sets the stage for a presidency geared for rapid action. Whether this dynamic approach will yield the results Trump and his supporters anticipate remains to be seen. One certainty: Washington is in for an eventful period beginning January 20th.
