Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, has stormed back into the White House. Before even completing his first day in the Oval Office, he signed over 200 Executive Orders. Among them were headline-grabbing decisions such as withdrawing from the World Health Organization and granting pardons to approximately 1,600 individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2020, drawing immediate attention.
The brand-new president also issued a flurry of orders, from banning TikTok to requiring federal employees to return to the office (effectively ending remote work). However, his main focus remains on immigration. Trump plans to completely close the U.S. southern border and declared a state of emergency on his first day.
The most controversial decision was his move to end “birthright citizenship.” This policy, which grants automatic citizenship to children born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ legal status, affects millions of people. It is almost certain that this order will face legal challenges and eventually reach the Supreme Court.
While Trump had made these promises during his campaign, no one expected him to implement such controversial measures so quickly. Yet, the new president seems to be acting as if he’s in a hurry.
For perspective, Joe Biden signed only 17 orders on his first day as president. For a bold and attention-loving politician like Trump, the first 100 days are crucial. How a president will go down in history is often shaped during this period. Moreover, Trump cannot run for reelection, and the midterm elections are only two years away—a time when the ruling party typically enters the race at a disadvantage.
In short, Trump has started fast and appears determined to implement radical changes.
This situation raises questions: “Who will Trump implement these sweeping changes with, and how will he overcome judicial challenges?” After all, the U.S. is a country with deep-rooted institutions and traditions. However, it’s also worth noting that the U.S. system, built on the separation of powers, has never been tested by a president like Trump and a cabinet of “Yes, sir!” followers.
Let’s take a closer look at Trump’s A-Team. To begin with, the president’s team is as hawkish and mission-focused as Trump himself. Their common trait: loyalty to their leader.
ANGRY AND POWERFUL
Susie Wiles, regarded as the mastermind behind Trump’s election victory, will serve as his right-hand woman in the White House, organizing critical processes. At 67, Wiles is described as “tough, smart, innovative, and highly respected,” known for her effective campaigns and electoral successes.
Another key player in Trump’s White House is Stephen Miller, his former speechwriter and a close ally for many years. Known as the “architect” of Trump’s strict immigration policies, Miller is the brain behind mass deportation projects. His ideas, often considered “extreme” even within the Republican Party, are expected to wield significant influence over Trump. This could spell tough times not only for the U.S. but for the rest of the world as well.
In a bold move, Trump appointed 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt as his Press Secretary. Leavitt worked on Trump’s communications team during his first presidency and is now the public face of his administration.
HARDLINERS ON IMMIGRATION
Trump’s top campaign promise was to combat illegal immigration, so his most radical appointments are in this area. The goal: secure the borders and deport those who entered the U.S. unlawfully.
Tom Homan, familiar to Fox News viewers, plays a key role in this effort. Known as the “Border Czar,” Homan is a former police officer with years of experience in this field. A staunch Trump supporter, he considers illegal immigration the greatest security threat since 9/11 and has issued tough messages from day one.
Similarly, Kristi Noem, the new Secretary of Homeland Security, is another hardliner. The former Governor of South Dakota is a staunch “Trumpist” known for rejecting Afghan refugees and opposing COVID-19 mask mandates. She was also the first governor to deploy the National Guard to the Mexican border. Together, Trump, Noem, and Homan form a formidable team on border security.
TRUMP’S TARGET: CHINA
Trump and many Republicans view China as a threat to U.S. global economic and military dominance. He selected Senator Marco Rubio, a former presidential rival, as Secretary of State. Rubio plans to impose high tariffs on China as his first order of business. At 53, the Cuban-American senator has made radical proposals regarding Iran and China, viewing the latter as a global threat.
Another hawkish figure in Trump’s cabinet is Michael Waltz, the new National Security Advisor. A former decorated Special Forces officer, Waltz advocates using “deterrent force” against authoritarian regimes and has been a vocal critic of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
BILLIONAIRES IN THE CABINET
Trump has brought wealthy business figures into his cabinet and seated them prominently during his inauguration. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are among them, tasked with launching efficiency projects in government. Musk, who spent millions supporting Trump’s campaign and even offered his platform (formerly known as Twitter), is expected to make waves in government.
Like Musk, Ramaswamy has also been a generous Trump donor. Both favor radical measures such as mass layoffs in federal agencies and shutting down entire departments.
‘AGAINST EVERYTHING’ APPOINTEES
Trump’s appointments include figures who oppose established norms, like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of vaccines and the existing healthcare system. Similarly, Tulsi Gabbard, the controversial new Director of National Intelligence, has been accused of harboring pro-Russian sentiments.
THE REST OF THE CAST
Other notable appointees include:
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who plans to eliminate income tax and impose additional tariffs.
- FBI Director Kash Patel, a vocal critic of the FBI who advocates curtailing the agency’s powers.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a radical Fox News host with no government experience but staunch loyalty to Trump.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi, a controversial figure and ardent Trump supporter.
ENERGY AGENDA
Energy was a cornerstone of Trump’s campaign. His new Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, a petroleum executive, opposes climate activism and renewable energy projects, dismissing them as “communist.”
In summary, Trump, a highly unconventional politician, has assembled a team that mirrors his radical approach. Unlike his first term, this time he has surrounded himself with a “Yes, sir!” cabinet. With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, Trump faces little opposition.
In short, forget the America you know. The world is entering a new era. Whether it’s a “golden age” or a “stone age,” as Trump puts it, remains to be seen.
Let’s wait and watch…
