Trump Outlines Bold First-Day Agenda: Mass Deportations, Pardons for January 6 Rioters, and More

Donald Trump is signaling an assertive first day in office should he return to the White House, revealing a sweeping plan that he says includes mass deportations, broad executive pardons, and major shifts in energy and immigration policy.

In an interview response when asked if he’d govern as a dictator, Trump remarked that he wouldn’t, “except for Day 1.” Trump’s team has outlined an agenda that promises drastic changes, some reversing current administration policies and others building upon his previous term’s more controversial proposals.

Key elements of Trump’s day-one plans reportedly include:

Mass Deportations of Immigrants: According to the AP, Trump intends to initiate large-scale deportations of immigrants across the United States, although details on implementation remain unspecified.

Pardons for January 6 Defendants: Trump’s promise includes pardoning hundreds of individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. His supporters labeled as “unbelievable patriots,” Trump has said he wants to “assist” them on his first day, although he admits some individuals “got out of control.”

Energy Policies and Border Closures: Trump reaffirmed his “drill, drill, drill” approach, signaling his intent to rapidly expand domestic energy production, while simultaneously pledging to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border to curtail immigration.

Other aspects of Trump’s planned agenda include sweeping terminations of federal employees. The former president is expected to pursue a restructuring of the federal workforce, targeting thousands he perceives as opposing his administration’s goals.

Trump’s return to office would likely bring attention to his legal challenges as well, including high-profile federal and state cases against him. While Trump could theoretically use executive powers to influence federal charges, his options for state-level charges are limited, given that presidential pardons do not extend to state convictions.

Critics argue Trump’s proposed moves, particularly the pardoning of January 6 rioters, would undermine legal accountability and embolden future unrest. Many judges overseeing January 6 cases have highlighted the severity of crimes committed and cautioned against trivializing the event. Trump, however, has reiterated his stance on social media, where he hinted at possible pardons, saying, “I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”