President-Elect Trump Plans Aggressive First-Day Executive Actions on Energy, Border, and Workforce

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, President-elect Donald Trump is gearing up for a whirlwind of executive actions on his first day in office, targeting energy policy, immigration enforcement, and federal workforce reforms, according to sources familiar with the plans. The ambitious agenda marks one of the most aggressive uses of executive authority in modern presidential history.

President-elect Donald Trump will be formally sworn in today, becoming the 47th president of the United States. The ceremony comes eight years after he was sworn in for his first term and makes Trump only the second US president to serve nonconsecutive terms alongside Grover Cleveland (1885-89, 1893-97). Former Ohio Sen. JD Vance will become the third-youngest vice president in history at 40 years old. See a brief history of inauguration speeches here.

The event—typically held on the US Capitol’s West Front, overlooking the National Mall—will be moved inside to the building’s rotunda as a polar vortex brings plunging temperatures to most of the country. It marks the first time the ceremony has been held indoors since Ronald Reagan’s second term in 1985.

All four living presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden—are expected to attend. Livestream the day here (12 pm ET).

Trump is expected to take a number of actions on campaign priorities on his first day back in office, including reported immigration sweeps in Chicago targeting roughly 300 unauthorized migrants with histories of violent crimes starting tomorrow.

Energy Policy Overhaul

One of Trump’s primary focuses will be deregulating energy production. Key initiatives include repealing electric vehicle regulations and declaring a national emergency related to energy. These measures aim to boost domestic energy production and reduce regulatory constraints on the energy sector.

Immigration Enforcement at the Forefront

On immigration, Trump plans to:

• Declare an Emergency at the Border: The move aims to allocate additional resources to address border security.
• Classify Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations: This classification could increase international pressure on cartels and strengthen law enforcement capabilities.
• Reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” Policy: The policy requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while awaiting U.S. court hearings, a key Trump-era initiative.

Federal Workforce Reforms

Trump intends to roll back several Biden-era diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Additionally, he plans to reinstate the controversial Schedule F classification, which gives the president greater control over hiring and firing federal employees in policymaking positions.

These changes could significantly reshape the federal workforce by reducing bureaucratic protections and prioritizing accountability.

Ambitious First-Day Plans

Trump’s plan to sign dozens of executive orders on his first day in office underscores his commitment to swift action. During a Sunday rally in Washington, he emphasized his urgency:

“Somebody said yesterday, ‘Sir, don’t sign so many in one day. Let’s do it over a period of weeks,’” Trump said. “I said, ‘Like hell we’re going to do it over a period of weeks.’ We’re going to sign them at the beginning.”

Senior adviser Jason Miller hinted that some orders could be signed in high-profile locations, including the Capitol Rotunda and Capital One Arena during the inaugural parade.

Historical Context

If executed, Trump’s actions will set a new precedent for first-day executive orders. For comparison, President Joe Biden signed 22 executive orders in his first week, a modern record at the time.

Trump’s focus on energy, immigration, and federal workforce reform highlights his administration’s priorities and sets the tone for the policy shifts to come.

Stay tuned for updates as these actions unfold following Trump’s inauguration. Subscribe Today to #theRidgewoodblog eBlast Stay Informed on #Local, #Events, and #News, http://eepurl.com/bgt6T #subscribe, #localnews, #BergenCounty, #Newjersey