This time, things are likely to be different.
This time, President-elect Donald Trump knows a lot more about how to manipulate the levers of power and plans to surround himself with loyalists willing to do his bidding in making sweeping changes to both policies and processes.
It could provide a sharp contrast with what happened eight years ago when, as an unexpected victor, Trump stumbled through a disorganized transition and chose advisers who saw their jobs as keeping him from self-inflicted damage.
That won’t happen again, he vows. And the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity will only encourage his expansive view of his innate authority.
For months, perhaps years, Trump’s advisers have been preparing proposed executive orders, legislative drafts and lists of loyalists to carry them out, starting next Jan. 20.
And he has made no secret of his agenda:
Immigration: Trump plans to “close” the U.S.-Mexico border on Inauguration Day and order the deportation of millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally, enlisting federal and local law enforcement agencies and perhaps the U.S. military to carry out his directives. It would almost certainly be messy and, along with the criminals he has vowed to target, could sweep up many law-abiding long-time U.S. residents, including necessary farm and construction workers.
Tariffs: Trump says he will impose tariffs on all U.S. imports of 10-20%, which many economists predict will raise prices substantially, threaten a new burst of inflation and perhaps cause a recession. Independent analysts forecast it could pass up to $4,000 in costs to the average American household.
Energy: Trump said he plans to order a massive increase in oil and gas production, starting on Inauguration Day, including opening more federal lands to drilling. He plans to curb government programs to encourage the move away from fossil fuels and build more electric vehicles.
Muslim Ban: Trump promised to restore the ban on immigration from designated Muslim-majority nations, which President Joe Biden rescinded.
Taxes: Trump plans to urge the new Congress to make permanent his 2017 tax cuts, which expire at the end of 2025. During the campaign, he proposed an array of additional tax cuts, which may face congressional resistance because of their cost, including more corporate cuts and exempting from taxes all Social Security income, car loan interest, income from tips, and the income of military members, veterans and law enforcement personnel.
Retribution: Trump said he will fire special counsel Jack Smith and will almost certainly order the Justice Department to withdraw the federal charges against him for trying to overturn the 2020 election. He threatened retribution against those responsible for prosecuting him and those he blames for his 2020 election defeat, including election officials. He also threatened legal action against Biden and other members of his family.
Justice Department: He vowed to end the Justice Department’s independence and make it much more obedient to the White House. His choice for attorney general will be closely watched.
Health care: Trump, who failed in his first term to carry out his promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
