Trump looks to remake America with sweeping second act

Every new president begins a new chapter in American history. And when Donald Trump will be inaugurated in the cold Washington DC on Monday, he hopes to bring a new era for this country.

The ceremony in the rotunda at the US Capitol, which went indoors for the first time in decades because of the bitter cold, will also mark a time when he will be judged on actions rather than promises.

And he has promised seismic change and action on day one. At a rally in the city on Sunday, Trump said he would sign several executive orders soon after his inauguration, covering issues ranging from immigration and deportation to the environment and transgender rights.

“Tomorrow you will be very happy when you watch television,” he told the crowd.

But even if his presidency begins with a big upheaval, there are questions about what Trump’s second term will look like.

Will we feel the tectonic plates of power shifts under our feet as they re-enter the White House? Can he fulfill his promise? Will it be as scandalous as his detractors claim?

Listening to some of his critics, you could be forgiven for thinking that the skies will darken and the birds will flee as soon as Washington is sworn in.

Many worry that he will try to rule as an independent and undermine American democracy. His predecessor, Joe Biden, used his final Oval Office address to warn of a dangerous group of countless billionaires forming around Trump who threaten the freedoms and liberties of the American people.

But no one can deny Trump, 78, has a clear mandate after winning the election in November. He won the popular vote and the college nomination. He won a clean sweep of the swing states. His plans have the green light from voters.

Meanwhile, Trump is determined to get what he wants. He has an experienced and loyal team behind him to make sure it happens.

They also organize – perhaps with the help of Elon Musk “Department of Public Works” – firing many civil servants and officials.

Trump still believes there is a “deep state” within the US government that will try to undermine his agenda. So we can expect a better understanding of civil servants than would come with a change in administration, and a highly politicized government machine behind it.

Many of his proposals, such as tax cuts for large and wealthy corporations, will require legislation passed by Congress.

But it won’t be a problem, because they have control of the Republican Party and majorities in both chambers. Senators and Representatives will not deny him in large numbers. And they have Musk using his social media presence and vast wealth to force any rebels back into line.

Is there anything to stop Trump from rounding up and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants or using the justice system to fight political opponents he sees as his enemies?

There are undoubtedly operational and economic challenges, especially when it comes to mass deportations, but democratic opposition alone will not be enough to stop this. The party is still undaunted by its failure in the elections.

There are internal conflicts where the members are examining for a long time why. And the opposition that rallied before Trump’s first term, which led to days of international protests that brought more than a million people to the streets, appears to be powerless this time around.

After losing the 2020 election, Trump was removed from social media after the Capitol riots and his absurd claims of voter fraud. The company is already treating him differently this time, as it is planned to be installed inside the rotunda where his supporters roamed on January 6, 2021.

Head into the VIP section to watch a group of the world’s richest people. Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will all be there. So are the CEOs of Google, Apple and TikTok. It’s the type of super-rich “tech-industrial complex” that Biden warned about in his farewell address.

These men have already moved on to better relations with Trump. ZuckerbergMeta stops searching for reality on Facebook and Instagram, Bezos blocked the Washington Post (which he owns) from endorsing Kamala Harris. And they’ve all donated millions to Trump’s inaugural fund.

Whether it’s in Congress or around the world, Trump is taking charge this time with a warm welcome from America’s powerhouses.

There is no doubt that his senior officials on the first day will show impressive events to support his foundation. Like granting presidential pardons to many, if not all, of those convicted in the Capitol riots. His followers will be very happy to see the people they consider as political slaves released from prison.

Trump will need a steady flow of celebrities like this. Because there is a risk that some of his plans conflict with what part of his supporters voted for.

Many wanted lower rates after years of high inflation. But many economists point out that tariffs on imported goods could push up prices.

Mass evictions could lead to a lack of construction work – undermining his promise to build more homes – and in the agricultural sector, which would increase food prices. And it’s the billionaires, not the working class, who stand to benefit from the big tax cuts.

Eye-catching proposals, such as a promise to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, would please many of his appointees. But it seems that how many Americans will feel the value of his headlines.

Trump, however, is the political spectacle. His ability to please is part of his strength and appeal. But his plan for the second term goes deeper than pure presentation and would be revolutionary if implemented.

His return to the White House will be dramatic and dramatic, with repercussions around the world. It could change America in fundamental and lasting ways.