WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump is poised to return to the White House after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent presidential race. As Trump prepares for his second term, he had previously laid out a series of priorities he intends to address on his first day back in office. Here’s a look back at some of Trump’s anticipated “Day 1” actions and statements.
“Dictator for a Day” Approach
Trump raised eyebrows last year when he referred to himself as a “dictator” but only on “Day 1” during a town hall event in Iowa. Responding media’s questions about the potential abuse of power, Trump quipped, “Except for Day 1.”
He elaborated that his “dictator” comment would be limited to border security and energy policies, stating, “I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
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Firing Special Counsel Jack Smith
Trump has repeatedly vowed to fire Jack Smith, the special counsel who has brought two federal cases against him, saying he would take action “within two seconds” of taking office. “It’s so easy. I would fire him within two seconds,” Trump declared on an October call with the “Hugh Hewitt Show.”
The former president has also indicated he would target other prosecutors and judges involved in his various criminal cases, portraying his campaign as one centered on “retribution.”
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed this focus in her own campaign, saying, “Trump on Day 1 would walk into that office with an enemies list. When I am elected, I will walk in with a to-do list, on behalf of you.”
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Pardoning January 6 Rioters
Trump has promised to “free” some individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, claiming they were “wrongfully imprisoned.” He expressed his intent to grant pardons, saying, “I am inclined to pardon many of them,” though he noted that “a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”
As of early October, over 1,530 individuals have faced federal charges in connection with the events of January 6, and more than half have pleaded guilty, according to the Department of Justice.
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Ending “Green New Deal Atrocities”
In a campaign video, Trump pledged to end what he referred to as “Green New Deal atrocities” if elected. Although the Green New Deal itself was never enacted into law, Trump has used the term broadly to critique the Biden administration’s climate policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act. Trump labeled these policies the “Green New Scam” and stated he would “rescind all unspent funds under the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act.”
During a rally in New Jersey, Trump also promised to end offshore wind energy projects, claiming that wind turbines “kill” whales, a claim dismissed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Mass Deportations of Undocumented Migrants
Addressing immigration, Trump has pledged to enact mass deportations on “Day 1,” declaring, “I will launch the largest deportation program in American history.” He plans to involve local law enforcement and the National Guard in tracking down undocumented migrants across the U.S., promising to “put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country.”
Trump has criticized current immigration policies, asserting that they have made the country less safe, though statistics show that U.S.-born citizens are more than twice as likely to be arrested for violent crimes compared to undocumented immigrants. The American Immigration Council estimates that deporting even 1 million undocumented individuals annually would cost over $88 billion.
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Green Cards for College Graduates
Departing from his usual immigration stance, Trump proposed “automatically” granting green cards to noncitizens graduating from U.S. colleges, including junior colleges. “If you graduate … you should be able to stay in this country,” he said during a podcast appearance.
Trump indicated he would also consider expanding H-1B work visas for tech workers, explaining, “Somebody graduates at the top of the class, they can’t even make a deal with the company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country. That is going to end on Day 1.”
As Trump prepares for his return, these priorities reflect his commitment to rapid action on key issues, though they continue to spark widespread debate over his plans for executive power, immigration, and climate policy.
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