Donald Trump Won, Now What? Navigating the Next Four Years
- Lucy Edo
- Nov 12, 2024
- 6 min read
Donald J. Trump has been re-elected to the most powerful office in the world: The President of the United States. As the nation prepares for his second term, understanding the implications of Trump’s policies and key appointments will help us better anticipate the impact on our everyday lives and make informed decisions.
Summary:
The Cabinet: Trump’s cabinet picks send a clear message about the direction of his second term, focusing on national security, deregulation, and a bold foreign policy.
Who’s Getting Fired: Major shakeups are expected as Trump clears out officials who don't align with his vision, making way for loyalists.
Trump’s Legal Situation: With multiple legal challenges hanging over his presidency, Trump’s legal battles could have a lasting impact on his time in office.
Trump’s Policy: Trump’s agenda is set to double down on tax cuts, deregulation, and policies that prioritize American interests both at home and abroad.
What About Project 2025?: Project 2025 is all about preparing for a smooth, fast-paced transition, ensuring that Trump’s policies are implemented quickly and efficiently across federal agencies.
How to Prepare for the Next 4 Years: Staying informed, building your savings, upgrading your skills, and prioritizing your health are all essential steps to navigating the next four years.
Who Are Trump’s Announced Cabinet Members?
The Cabinet advises the President on issues related to their respective offices. Below are the Cabinet positions Trump has announced so far. There are 15 executive cabinet departments, which must be confirmed by the Senate:
J.D. Vance, Vice President-elect
Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff (1st woman in history)
Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
Lee Zeldin, Head of the Environmental Protection Agency
Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser
Mike Huckabee (Arkansas Governor), U.S. Ambassador to Israel
John Ratcliffe, CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Director
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
Tom Homan, Border Czar
J.D. Vance, Vice President-elect: Vance, a former venture capitalist and author, will support the President’s agenda and represent the administration domestically and abroad.
Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff: As the first female Chief of Staff, Wiles will coordinate White House operations and advise on policy and communication.
Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Miller, known for his conservative views on immigration and national security, will lead the administration’s policy planning and implementation.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State: Rubio will direct U.S. foreign policy, with a strong stance on China, Latin America, and human rights.
Lee Zeldin, Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Zeldin will oversee environmental policies with a focus on deregulation and energy independence.
Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser: Waltz, a former Green Beret, will advise the President on defense and intelligence matters.
Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel: Huckabee will work to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, particularly in security and diplomatic cooperation.
John Ratcliffe, CIA Director: Ratcliffe, with a background in intelligence reform, will lead the CIA’s operations and intelligence gathering.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense: Hegseth, a military veteran and Fox News contributor, is expected to bring a hawkish approach to defense, prioritizing military strength, readiness, and a focus on global adversaries like China and Russia.
Tom Homan, Border Czar: Homan will oversee border security and immigration enforcement, focusing on stricter immigration control.
The fact that Trump is already appointing his administration sends a strong signal that he is prepared for this second term and focused on a strong stance on national security, deregulation, and assertive foreign policy, reflecting the priorities and direction for the next four years.
Who’s He Firing?
With Republicans controlling both the House and the Senate, Trump’s administration is expected to swiftly reshape federal agencies and key government roles, especially replacing officials who oppose or differ ideologically from his policy goals. Past experience suggests Trump will quickly dismiss individuals he views as obstacles to his agenda, prioritizing loyalty and alignment with his conservative values. This reshuffling could impact leadership within departments such as Justice, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies, as well as top regulatory bodies.
Trump’s Legal Situation
Donald Trump’s re-election comes amid a cloud of legal challenges that add complexity to his upcoming term. Trump faces multiple federal and state charges across several cases, including accusations of election interference, mishandling classified documents, and fraud related to business dealings. In total, he faces over 90 criminal counts, which are unprecedented for a sitting or incoming president.
His court dates have been postponed due to the high-profile nature of these cases and to allow for due process, with some set to take place during his early time in office. While his re-election grants no immunity from prosecution, his legal situation will likely shape public perception and pose unique challenges to the administration’s focus, possibly affecting stability as his team navigates these dual pressures.
What if Trump Pardons Himself?
If Trump attempts to pardon himself, it would be a historic and legally untested move, as no president has ever issued a self-pardon. While the Constitution grants presidents broad pardoning powers for federal offenses, it's unclear if this includes self-pardons.
A self-pardon would not apply to state-level charges, meaning he could still face legal consequences from state prosecutions. If Trump does issue a self-pardon, it’s almost certain the matter would go to the Supreme Court, potentially setting a precedent on presidential powers and immunity.
The decision would deeply impact the administration, drawing public and political attention as the country weighs the balance of power, justice, and executive privilege.
Trump’s Policy Agenda
With his return to office, Trump is expected to push forward an agenda shaped by conservative priorities and "America First" principles. From the economy to environmental policy, his administration will likely prioritize deregulation, assertive foreign policy, and a reduced federal role in social and healthcare programs. Take a look at how the next 4 years could shape up.
Economic: Trump is likely to continue focusing on tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate economic growth, with policies aimed at supporting business investment and minimizing government interference in the market.
Foreign Relations: Trump’s foreign policy may be grounded in "America First" ideals, reinforcing strong alliances with Israel and NATO partners while maintaining a competitive stance against China and seeking advantageous trade terms for the U.S.
Healthcare: Expect efforts to dismantle parts of the Affordable Care Act, with an emphasis on a more privatized system that reduces federal involvement and increases options through private insurance.
Social Programs: Trump may pursue reductions in federal welfare spending, introducing reforms with stricter work requirements and limits to funding in an effort to promote fiscal responsibility.
Environmental Policies and Climate Action: Trump’s environmental agenda will likely prioritize energy independence through fossil fuel production and rollback of climate regulations, emphasizing job creation over emission reductions.
Social Dynamics and Civic Discourse: Trump’s administration is expected to champion freedom of speech and religious rights, which may fuel polarized debates on immigration, law enforcement, and civil liberties.
What About Project 2025?
Project 2025 is an initiative led by conservative think tanks and advocacy groups with the goal of preparing a ready-to-implement policy agenda for the incoming administration. This project seeks to fill thousands of federal positions with individuals aligned with Trump’s vision, streamlining the process of enacting conservative policies from day one.
With a blueprint for rapid changes in areas like the economy, education, national security, and environmental regulation, Project 2025 aims to minimize resistance within federal agencies and reinforce Trump's policy agenda across the executive branch. Through Project 2025, the administration intends to ensure lasting influence over federal government operations, advancing conservative ideals and reducing what they see as bureaucratic obstacles to swift reform.
What This Means for the General Public
For the general public, Project 2025 could lead to swift and impactful changes across a range of federal policies and agencies. If successful, it would accelerate the implementation of Trump’s conservative agenda, affecting everyday issues like healthcare access, environmental protections, and social program eligibility.
Supporters believe this will bring increased government efficiency, job growth, and reduced regulations that could benefit businesses and reduce consumer costs. Critics, however, fear it may reduce oversight, roll back protections for the environment and social services, and weaken safeguards against political influence in traditionally independent federal agencies.
For many, the impact of Project 2025 will be felt in how accessible or restricted certain services and protections become, as well as in the tone and scope of government involvement in daily life.
How To Prepare for the next 4 Years
To prepare for Trump’s next four years, it’s essential to stay informed through reliable news sources and not depend solely on social media, as this can lead to biased or incomplete information. Diversify your news intake by following established news outlets and even those with differing viewpoints to gain a balanced understanding of evolving policies.
Fiscal responsibility is also crucial; build up your savings and take active steps to gain agency over your future by developing skills that keep you competitive in a changing job market, especially in tech and STEM fields where demand is growing.
In uncertain times, fostering community connections with those who share your values can provide a powerful support system, enabling resilience and collaboration.
Health should be a priority as healthcare policies may shift; focus on eating nutritious foods, staying active, and caring for your mental well-being.
With a clear mind, clean spirit, and charged heart, you can face the coming years with strength and preparedness- and you may learn a thing or two.
-365 Days of Shade
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