Donald Trump is back as President. If you missed his inauguration speech, no worries—many might say you didn’t miss much. The former president, now a convicted felon, unveiled sweeping plans for his return to power. In his words, “historic executive orders” will be signed immediately to “restore America” and bring about a “revolution of common sense.” His message? Everything, apparently, boils down to common sense.
As expected, Trump’s statements were met with enthusiastic applause from his supporters. Here’s a rundown of some key—and controversial—proposals he shared:
Declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border
Trump vowed to deploy the military and National Guard to the US-Mexico border. He also promised to end “catch and release,” a practice where undocumented immigrants aren’t detained while awaiting court hearings. Additionally, he hinted at eliminating birthright citizenship, a constitutional right granted to anyone born on US soil.
Invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798
This historic law, originally intended as a wartime measure, allows the president to detain or deport individuals from nations deemed adversaries. Trump claimed he would use it to target foreign gangs and criminal networks in the US. However, research consistently shows that crime rates are lower among undocumented immigrants compared to citizens, raising concerns about the justification for this move.
Scrapping the Green New Deal and promoting fossil fuels
Trump declared an end to the Green New Deal and electric vehicle mandates, opting instead to prioritize oil drilling with his infamous “drill, baby, drill” mantra.
Dismantling initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion
While not citing specific policies, Trump alluded to eliminating what he referred to as government attempts to “engineer race and gender” into public and private sectors. He also called for the cessation of “government censorship,” though the practical implications of such statements remain unclear.
Recognizing only two genders
Trump proposed making it official US policy to acknowledge only “male and female,” a statement widely regarded as anti-trans.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
One of the more bizarre proposals was renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” The moment reportedly drew laughter from figures like Hillary Clinton.
Reclaiming the Panama Canal
Trump referred to the Panama Canal as a “gift” that should be taken back by the United States. This stance directly contradicts the Panamanian government, which views the canal as a national symbol gained through significant sacrifice.
Planting the American flag on Mars
In an ambitious—and polarizing—statement, Trump announced his intention to “pursue manifest destiny into the stars” by placing the American flag on Mars. Critics noted that the ideology of manifest destiny has historical ties to colonialism and the displacement of Indigenous peoples.
Eliminating Birthright Citizenship
Trump reiterated his plan to eliminate birthright citizenship, a constitutional right that guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil. This proposal has already sparked widespread legal and ethical debates, as it challenges the Fourteenth Amendment.
Despite these grand declarations, Trump concluded by labeling himself a “peacemaker and unifier,” a claim some may find difficult to reconcile with the contentious tone of his speech. The implementation of these orders is ongoing, and their impact will continue to unfold in the coming months.
