Donald Trump returns to White House: What the 47th US President will do on Day 1?

"Promises made, promises kept," Trump had said in his victory speech on November 6.

Following his victory, Donald Trump has outlined an aggressive agenda for his return to the White House, with a focus on several key issues such as immigration, the economy, and foreign policy, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine. In his victory speech, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign motto, "Promises made, promises kept," signaling his intensions to prioritise fulfilling the promises he made during the campaign.

Here’s a look at the priorities the President-elect is likely to push for once in office:

 'I want to close the border’

Trump has said he intends to sign a pre-drafted executive order on his first day in office to direct the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to begin the mass deportation of undocumented migrants. Trump has stated that he would roll out an immigration agenda if he returns to office, including what he calls "the largest deportation program in American history."

He specifically aims a reversal of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. The President-elect has pledged to reinstate his "Remain in Mexico" policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while US immigration courts process their cases. He has also promised to resume construction of the border wall and expressed a desire to restrict birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.

“I want to close the border," he had said during an interview with Fox News last year, discussing his Day 1 plans.

‘Unbelievable patriots’: Pardon January 6 rioters

Trump has pledged to pardon numerous individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, describing them as "hostages" and "political prisoners." More than 1,500 individuals have been charged following the violent attempt by Trump supporters to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

In his campaign launch earlier this year, Trump labelled the Capitol rioters "unbelievable patriots" and made the events of January 6 a focal point of his bid to return to the White House. The President-elect has promised to prioritise these pardons on his first day in office, adding that he would review cases individually, though he intends to pardon “many” of those convicted.

‘Drill, drill, drill’: Recall Biden-era Climate Policies

If re-elected, Trump has also committed to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement once again, with plans to sign an executive order on his first day in office to reverse Biden’s decision to rejoin the accord. Notably, Trump had pulled the US out of the international treaty in 2019, and officials close to him, according to a Wall Street Journal report, say the order to exit the agreement is already drafted and ready to be signed on Day 1.

During the abovementioned interview with Fox News, he had said "....and I want to drill, drill, drill", discussing his plans on reversing Biden-era climate policies.

Trump’s magnified agenda includes rolling back climate policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean energy. He plans to roll back a slew of environmental protections imposed under the Biden administration, halt wind energy projects, and eliminate the US targets encouraging electric vehicle adoption. Additionally, he has pledged to prioritise the expansion of fossil fuel production, famously promising to “drill, drill, drill,” and to open up the Arctic wilderness to oil drilling, further arguing that such actions would help lower energy costs.

'Peace to Ukraine within 24 hours' but national interest above all

Trump has outlined several foreign policy goals that he claims will prioritise America's national interests over global commitments. He has promised to end ongoing geopolitical conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia tensions, asserting that he could bring peace to Ukraine within 24 hours. Trump has noted that by meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he could push both sides toward a negotiated settlement.

Over this weekend, the President-elect dialled up both Presidents and had conversations with them. As per reports, in his conversation with Putin, he has urged the Russian President to abort the escalation in Ukraine.

Additionally, Trump has called for the resignation of any US general involved in the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

‘Transgender Insanity’: Remove transgender student protections

Trump has vowed to roll back protections for transgender students that were introduced under the Biden administration's updates to Title IX. This April, the Biden administration finalised changes to Title IX, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Trump has pledged to revoke these protections on his first day in office, stating that such changes were made via executive order and can be undone in the same manner.

He has also promised to address what he called "transgender insanity" by signing an executive order to cut federal funding for schools teaching critical race theory and other content related to transgender issues, although any widespread cuts would likely require Congressional action.

Landslide Victory

The President-elect won in Arizona on Sunday, securing the final battleground state and bringing his electoral vote total to 312, well ahead of Kamala Harris's 226 votes. This victory, following a lengthy vote-counting process, marks Trump's sweep of key swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin, shattering the Democratic "blue wall."