In a previous blog I posted that following his election Donald Trump has hit the ground running. He is very mindful of his mandate and that there is much to be done in a very short time while the GOP has control of both houses of Congress. There is no time to waste. The extensive public support he has now can melt away quickly like a summer snow.
There are limitations as to what he can accomplish prior to his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Nevertheless, in a few short weeks he has already achieved more than any other President-elect I can recall. In my view, this is due primarily to (1) his tireless work ethic and (2) his reputation that he says what he means and means what he says. Friends and adversaries alike know that Trump has the hammer, and he will not be afraid to use it. This is a radical change from the current administration.
Some of his actions have been disclosed to the public, but others have been accomplished privately behind the scenes. Below please find a description of some of the more significant ones:
- He has already filled out most of his proposed cabinet and key advisors. Some Dem senators may attempt to delay approval of a few of them, but historically very few presidential-elects’ nominations have failed to be confirmed.
- One nomination that has engendered controversy is RFK, Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. He has been criticized for his assertion of a link between certain vaccines and autism. However, he is a strong advocate of improving the overall health of Americans through their diets. He maintains that many of our foods contain too much sugar and preservatives that are banned in other countries.
- The issue that has received the most attention is illegal immigration. In the last few years, the southern border has generated the most attention and deservedly so, but Trump has been focusing on the northern border as well. He has already met with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s President Justin Trudeau. Both have been less than cooperative with respect to this issue under the Biden-Harris Administration, but after meeting with Trump both have undergone a radical change in attitude. Sheinbaum has agreed to halt the flow of immigrants through Mexico. She assured Trump that various illegal migrant caravans heading toward the border “are being taken care of in Mexico.” This is very significant. Obviously, the most effective way to curtail illegal immigration is to prevent them from reaching the border in the first place. In addition, she agreed to cooperate with the US to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the US. Trudeau has also agreed to cooperate. As I write this it has been reported that he is enroute to Mira Lago to discuss the immigration issue with Trump in more detail.
- Apparently, the major reason for this attitude adjustment was Trump’s threat to levy a 25% tariff on those countries’ exports to the US unless they agreed to cooperate to eliminate illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl. Some (including President Biden who awoke from his months-long slumber to advise Trump to “rethink it”) have criticized his proposed use of tariffs, but those critics miss the point. The imposition of tariffs is a bargaining chip, nothing more. Trump would only employ them as a last resort, but in my opinion, he won’t have to. Again, they know he says what he means and means what he says.
- As I reported in a previous blog the CDC has reported that in the last three years fentanyl has been responsible for an average of 75,000 fatalities per year. I maintain that this is directly attributable to Biden-Harris’ failure to control our borders. Trump has also addressed this issue with China, which is generally acknowledged to be the major source of the drug. He has threatened China with a 10% tariff on imports should it fail to cooperate.
- Part of Trump’s plan to identify, arrest and deport illegal migrants will be to utilize local law enforcement. According to the Wall Street Journal the plan is to deputize them in accordance with Federal law 287(g) to act as “immigration agents.” This law was passed in 1996 during the Clinton Administration. It had been phased out in recent years, but Trump intends to resurrect it. Local law enforcement personnel would be used to “question and detain” suspected illegals during the performance of their normal duties and coordinate with ICE. This would greatly enhance the efficiency of identifying, detaining, processing and deporting illegals.
- The first priority for deportation will be criminals, drug dealers, terrorists and others would do harm to America. I fail to see how anyone could oppose that plan. There is a plethora of them to keep ICE and Homeland busy.
- Border Czar Tom Homan has stated repeatedly that he will brook no interference from officials in sanctuary jurisdictions in carrying out his duties. The laws, public opinion, and the power of the federal government are on his side. He has reiterated that those who harbor illegals or interfere in any way are committing felonies and will be dealt with accordingly.
- As reported in the NY Post and elsewhere Trump intends to declare a “national emergency” and utilize “military assets” to assist in the effort to deport illegal migrants.
- A federal appeals court has blocked the Biden-Harris Administration from removing razor wire fencing along Texas’ borders and buoys that Texas had placed in the Rio Grande to prevent illegal migrants from crossing into the US.
- Venezuela has been a particular problem. According to the NY Post in excess of 800,000 Venezuelan illegal migrants have entered the US during the Biden-Harris Administration. Many of them are members of the brutal prison gang, Tren de Aragua. This gang has been a scourge. It is extremely violent and has been responsible for a considerable amount of violence and criminality against US citizens. Venezuelan authorities have refused to accept deportees. This is unacceptable. Trump and Homan have vowed to force them to do so by employing of additional sanctions and/or withholding aid. The US has the ability to “crush” Venezuela economically, and the threat of doing so should convince Venezuela to accept the deportees.
- Perhaps, Trump’s most ingenuous appointments were Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-heads of a new Department of Government Efficiency. This department will be charged with identifying and eliminating “waste, fraud, and mismanagement” in the federal government. They expect to trim “trillions” of dollars. That goal may be too ambitious, but the idea is sound. Most people believe that this type of review is long overdue.
- Suddenly, with Trump on the horizon, Hamas and Hezbollah have become more amenable to negotiated settlements. They are mindful of how he destroyed ISIS during his prior term, and they fear and respect him (unlike the current administration). Once Trump takes office, resumes drilling, and begins to squeeze Iran economically and financially, H and H will lose much of the support of their sponsor. Then there will be a good chance to end the ME wars and secure the return of the hostages.
- Florida Governor Ron De Santis has to appoint someone to fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat. DeSantis is taking his time. There are a copious number of candidates. Some of the qualifications he is said to be looking for is a person who is “strong on immigration and border security, will take on the entrenched bureaucracy … and reverse the nation’s fiscal decline.” Lara Trump is a possibility, but there are many others as well.
Conclusion
According to multiple media reports Trump’s victory has uplifted the outlook of the public, in general. People have expressed confidence that he will solve the nation’s problems that have plagued us for four years. One indication is that, as reported by CNBC and other media outlets, shopping volume has increased dramatically, particularly in “red” states.
It is refreshing that we will finally have a president that will simply get things done. Once again, America will be the pre-eminent power in the world economically and militarily. Once again, America will be respected by its friends and feared by its enemies. Once again, America will be great again.
As I have said, Trump is fully cognizant that he has to act with alacrity while his party still controls both houses of Congress and enjoys the overwhelming support of the people. History tells us this honeymoon period will not last long, at most, until the 2026 midterm elections. As Trump likes to say, “we’ll see what happens.”
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 