Trump looks to remake America with sweeping second act happymamay

Every new president begins a new chapter in American history. When Donald Trump is inaugurated in frigid Washington, D.C., on Monday, he hopes to usher in a new era for this country.

The ceremony in the rotunda of the US Capitol, moved indoors for the first time in decades due to the bitter cold, will also mark the moment when Trump begins to be judged on actions rather than promises.

He promised radical change, as well as action on day one. At a raucous rally in the city on Sunday, Trump said he would sign a series of executive orders within moments of his inauguration, covering issues ranging from immigration and deportation to the environment and transgender rights.

“You’re going to have a lot of fun watching TV tomorrow,” he told the crowd here.

But even if his presidency starts out strong, there are still questions about what Trump’s second act might look like.

Will we feel the plates of power shifting under our feet when he returns to the White House? Can he implement the comprehensive reforms he pledged? Will it be as terrible as his opponents suggest?

If you listened to some of his critics, you would be forgiven for thinking that the skies will darken and the birds will flee Washington once he is sworn in.

Many worry that he will try to rule as an autocrat and undermine American democracy. His predecessor, Joe Biden, clearly used his final Oval Office speech to warn of a dangerous oligarchy of unaccountable billionaires forming around Trump that threatens the basic rights and freedoms of Americans.

But no one can deny that Trump (78 years old) has a clear mandate after his decisive victory in the elections in November. He won the popular vote and the electoral college. He won a clean sweep of swing states. His agenda got the green light from voters.

This time, Trump is determined to push his agenda. He has the most experienced and loyal team behind him to make sure that happens.

He’s also planning – likely with help “Government Efficiency Management” by Elon Musk – The rapid dismissal of large numbers of government employees and officials.

Trump still believes there is a “deep state” within the US government that will try to thwart his agenda. So, we can expect a much more radical evacuation of federal employees than would normally come with a change of administration, and a more politicized government machine behind it.

Many of his plans, such as big tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy, would need legislation approved by Congress.

But that will not be a problem, as he controls the Republican Party and enjoys a majority in both chambers. Senators and representatives are unlikely to challenge him in large numbers. And he has Musk on hand to use his social media platform and vast wealth to pressure any rebels to get back in line.

Is there anything that could stop Trump from arresting and deporting millions of illegal immigrants or using the justice system to target political opponents he considers his enemies?

There are undoubtedly logistical and financial hurdles, especially when it comes to mass deportations, but democratic opposition alone is unlikely to be enough to stop this. After all, the party is still reeling from its resounding election defeat.

There is an internal conflict as the members perform a long autopsy over this finding. The resistance movement that mobilized before Trump’s first term, and which sparked days of nationwide protests after his inauguration that brought more than a million people to the streets, appears less active this time around.

After his defeat in the 2020 election, Trump was booted from social media platforms in the wake of the Capitol riot and his baseless claims of voter fraud. These companies are actually treating him differently this time, as he prepares to be inaugurated inside the rotunda where his supporters milled around on January 6, 2021.

Sitting prominently in the VIP section to watch will be a group of the world’s richest men. Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg will all be present there. So do the CEOs of Google, Apple, and TikTok. He is the living embodiment of the super-rich “techno-industrial complex” that Biden warned about in his farewell speech.

These men have already moved on to warm relations with Trump. ZuckerbergMeta abandons fact checking On Facebook and Instagram, Bezos banned the Washington Post (which he owns) from endorsing Kamala Harris. They all donated millions to Trump’s inaugural fund.

Whether in Congress or the corporate world, Trump will take office this time to a warm welcome from America’s power brokers.

There is no doubt that his first-day set of executive orders will include some eye-catching actions designed to excite his base. Such as issuing presidential pardons to many, if not all, of the people convicted in the Capitol riot. His supporters will be thrilled to see people they consider political hostages released from prison.

Trump will need a steady stream of populist moves like these. Because there is a risk that some of his plans will conflict with what a section of his supporters voted for.

Many wanted lower prices after years of high inflation. But most economists point out that tariffs on imported goods may push prices higher.

Mass deportations could lead to labor shortages in the construction sector – which would complicate his pledge to build more housing – and in the agricultural sector, which could cause food prices to rise further. It appears that billionaires, not the working class, will benefit from the biggest tax cuts.

Eye-catching proposals, such as a promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico as America’s Gulf, may excite many of those who put him in office. But it remains to be seen how many Americans will feel the benefits of his key policies.

However, Trump is the ultimate political showman. His ability to entertain is part of his strength and appeal. But his second term agenda goes deeper than mere showmanship, and would be transformative if passed.

His return to the White House will be dramatic and eventful, and the consequences will be felt around the world. It may change America in fundamental and lasting ways.