WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump has long promised to “drain the swamp” and bring sweeping change to Washington, but his plan for Day 1 of a second term promises to be particularly dramatic. In remarks leading up to the 2024 election, Trump outlined an aggressive set of policies he intends to implement the moment he steps back into the White House.
While Trump has repeatedly declared he won’t be a dictator, he has emphasized that Day 1 will mark the beginning of a new era of presidential authority, with a bold agenda aimed at reversing key policies of the Biden administration, addressing his legal challenges, and reshaping the federal government in his own image.
Here’s a closer look at the initiatives Trump has said he will prioritize on his first day back in office:
End Federal Prosecutions & Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters
Trump has made it clear that his first priority will be addressing his legal battles, starting with firing special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading federal investigations into Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection and his handling of classified documents. Trump has stated that he would quickly move to end these prosecutions, leveraging his authority as president to potentially stop or delay cases against him.
While Trump cannot pardon himself for state-level convictions, he could seek to leverage the pardon power for those convicted in federal courts—including, potentially, those arrested for their roles in the Capitol riot. He has already expressed his intention to pardon many of the more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 events, calling them “unbelievable patriots.”
Deportation Blitz and Border Crackdown
Trump has vowed to launch a sweeping deportation operation on Day 1, framing it as the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. He plans to immediately begin removing undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal convictions. He has suggested deploying federal forces and using the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely invoked 1798 law, to justify the mass deportations of individuals from countries he deems a threat.
The logistical complexity of such a plan is immense, but Trump insists that he will act decisively, signaling a return to his "zero tolerance" immigration policies from his first term. He has already named former ICE director Tom Homan to oversee the deportation efforts.
Dismantling the “Deep State”
Trump’s first term was marked by an ongoing battle with the federal bureaucracy, which he frequently claimed was full of "deep state" operatives working against his agenda. On Day 1 of a second term, Trump has promised to reinstate his controversial 2020 executive order, “Schedule F,” which would strip civil service protections from tens of thousands of federal workers, making it easier to fire them and replace them with political appointees.
The move is aimed at reshaping the federal workforce, which Trump views as an obstacle to his administration's goals. However, reviving Schedule F could face legal and logistical hurdles, as the Biden administration rescinded the order, and Congress has yet to pass protections for federal employees.
Reversal of Biden’s Education and LGBTQ Policies
Trump has pledged to roll back key education policies that protect transgender students and promote gender inclusivity in schools. He has said that on his first day, he will reverse Biden-era protections under Title IX that prohibit discrimination against transgender students.
In addition to addressing LGBTQ+ rights, Trump has made it clear that he intends to cut federal funding for schools that promote critical race theory or what he describes as “political correctness.” His education agenda is already one of the defining issues of his campaign, with his promise to end what he calls “radical leftist” ideologies in American classrooms.
Tariffs & Economic Nationalism
In keeping with his "America First" agenda, Trump has also committed to imposing tariffs on imported goods, especially from China and Mexico. He views tariffs as a tool to protect American jobs, reduce the federal deficit, and exert economic pressure on foreign governments.
Trump has floated the idea of a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico if that country fails to address what he calls a “flood” of crime and illegal immigration into the U.S. He also proposes tariffs on Chinese imports to punish Beijing for unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. Trump’s unilateral approach to tariffs, which he used during his first term, suggests he will continue using presidential powers to shape U.S. trade policy without needing congressional approval.
Energy Policy: “Drill, Drill, Drill”
Trump has repeatedly said that on Day 1, he will issue executive orders to undo many of the Biden administration’s climate policies, which Trump argues have hurt American energy independence. Specifically, he intends to expand domestic oil and gas production by reversing environmental restrictions and pushing to open up new drilling sites, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Trump has promised to cut regulations on fossil fuels and pause or reverse initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and encouraging the switch to renewable energy. The goal is to make the U.S. energy-independent once again, lower energy prices, and create jobs in the oil and gas sector.
Foreign Policy: A Rapid Settlement of the Russia-Ukraine War
One of Trump’s more ambitious claims is his assertion that he could end the ongoing war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. He has said he would bring both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the negotiating table and broker a peace deal.
Trump, who has repeatedly praised Putin's leadership and criticized the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine, has suggested that only he possesses the unique combination of diplomatic skills and authority to resolve the conflict quickly. Whether this is realistic or not remains to be seen, but it reflects Trump’s continued focus on “America First” foreign policy.
Rebuilding America’s Trade Deals and Foreign Relations
In addition to tariffs, Trump has promised to revisit major trade agreements, renegotiating them to benefit American workers and manufacturers. He has indicated that he plans to reassert U.S. control over global supply chains, while pushing for “fairer” deals with countries like China and Mexico.
Trump also expressed a desire to pull back from international commitments he believes weaken American sovereignty, including reexamining military alliances and reducing foreign aid.
Conclusion: A Sweeping First Day of Change
If elected, Trump’s Day 1 agenda would mark a dramatic shift in U.S. policy across multiple fronts. His promises of sweeping action, including mass deportations, legal reforms, and a bold economic strategy, reflect the combative and disruptive style that has defined his political career.
Whether he can achieve all of these goals on Day 1 is uncertain. Some, like executive orders to alter federal regulations or begin deportation, can be implemented relatively quickly. Others, such as dismantling the federal workforce or imposing massive tariffs, could face significant challenges in Congress and the courts. Nonetheless, Trump’s vision for his second term is clear: a forceful reversal of the current political and policy landscape, aimed at reshaping America in his image.
Trump’s promises for Day 1 reflect a presidency driven by decisive actions and a vision of returning the country to what he calls its former greatness. Whether he can deliver on such sweeping changes remains a central question of his 2024 campaign.