Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has wasted no time implementing a series of executive orders and policy changes that reflect his campaign promises. His administration has taken a hard stance on immigration, national security, and economic growth, while also reversing several initiatives put in place by the previous administration.
One of his first moves was reinstating strict border policies, including the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases are processed. He also signed an executive order to increase deportations of undocumented immigrants and proposed legislation to eliminate birthright citizenship, though legal challenges are expected. His administration has further cracked down on sanctuary cities, threatening to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that do not comply with federal immigration laws.
On energy policy, Trump has reversed environmental regulations, prioritising domestic oil and gas production. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement once again and lifted restrictions on drilling and pipeline construction. His administration has argued that these moves will boost the economy and make the country more energy independent.
Social policies have also seen significant changes. Trump signed orders rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies and the military, ending federal funding for gender transition surgeries. He has also taken a strong stance against what he calls “woke ideology” in schools, proposing new education policies that emphasise patriotism and remove what his administration calls “leftist indoctrination.”
In a controversial decision, Trump pardoned more than a thousand individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. His administration has also dismissed several Justice Department officials who had been involved in legal actions against him in the past, sparking concerns about political interference in the justice system.
Most recently, Trump has proposed a policy that would exile repeat criminal offenders to foreign countries. He made the suggestion during a House Republicans conference in Miami, stating that the U.S. should pay a “small fee” to other nations to house individuals with multiple felony convictions. According to Trump, this measure would reduce prison overcrowding and save taxpayer money. He argued that sending repeat offenders to other countries would serve as a deterrent, preventing them from continuing their crimes in the U.S.
The proposal has already sparked intense debate. Critics argue that exiling American citizens is unconstitutional and raises significant human rights concerns. Many legal experts believe it would be nearly impossible to find countries willing to accept large numbers of convicted criminals, and any attempt to forcibly relocate American citizens would almost certainly face legal challenges. Some have likened the idea to historical practices where European nations sent convicts to penal colonies, questioning whether such an approach has any place in modern society.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s base has largely supported the idea, viewing it as a tough-on-crime measure that aligns with his broader agenda of prioritising law and order. His administration has not yet outlined how such a policy would be implemented, but it has signalled that it will explore all possible legal avenues to make it a reality.
