In a recent article, it was reported that former president and now president-elect Donald Trump has outlined a wide-ranging agenda for his potential second administration. Trump’s agenda combines traditional conservative approaches to taxes, regulation, and cultural issues with a more populist stance on trade and a shift in America’s international role. Despite a lack of details, Trump has promised sweeping action in areas such as immigration, abortion, taxes, tariffs and trade, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, regulation, federal bureaucracy, presidential power, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, healthcare, climate and energy, workers’ rights, and national defense.
In terms of immigration, Trump has proposed creating “the largest mass deportation program in history” and has called for ideological screening for potential entrants as well as ending birthright citizenship. He has also mentioned reinstating policies such as “Remain in Mexico” and limiting entrants from certain majority-Muslim nations. On the issue of abortion, Trump has played down its priority but has taken credit for the Supreme Court ending a woman’s federal right to terminate a pregnancy, returning abortion regulation to state governments. His tax policies largely benefit corporations and wealthier Americans, with a focus on extending his 2017 tax overhaul and making changes such as lowering the corporate income tax rate.
When it comes to tariffs and trade, Trump has expressed a distrust of world markets and proposed tariffs on foreign goods as well as restrictions on Chinese buyers purchasing vital infrastructure in the U.S. He also aims to reduce federal efforts on civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, particularly with LGBTQ citizens. In terms of regulation, Trump seeks to reduce federal bureaucracy and strengthen executive branch influence, with promises to cut regulations and lower utility bills. He also plans to eliminate the federal Department of Education and use federal funding to pressure K-12 school systems to make changes in areas such as tenure and diversity programs.
On the issue of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, Trump has pledged to protect these programs but has introduced proposals that may affect their funding streams. He also aims to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement plan. In terms of climate and energy, Trump opposes climate action and cleaner energy initiatives, instead focusing on fossil fuels and rolling back Biden-era standards. Additionally, Trump’s stance on workers’ rights may make it harder for workers to unionize. In the realm of national defense and America’s role in the world, Trump takes a more isolationist and protectionist approach, pledging to expand the military and protect Pentagon spending while criticizing NATO and U.S. military leaders.
Overall, Trump’s proposed agenda for a potential second administration covers a wide range of policy areas with a focus on conservative and populist approaches. While details in some areas remain vague, his priorities include immigration, abortion, taxes, trade, civil rights, education, healthcare, climate and energy, workers’ rights, and national defense. If Trump were to win the 2024 election and implement these policies, it could lead to significant changes in various aspects of American governance and society.
