'Shock and Awe': Trump Plans 100 Immediate Executive Actions Here's what might be coming.

 'Shock and Awe': Trump Plans 100 Immediate Executive Actions Here's what might be coming.

In the lead-up to his presidency, Donald Trump promised a series of swift and sweeping executive actions aimed at fulfilling key campaign promises within his first days in office. His strategy, often referred to as "shock and awe," was designed to quickly establish a bold policy direction and signal to both domestic and international audiences that his administration would act decisively. This concept centered around executing numerous executive orders, many of which would address issues like immigration, trade, regulation, and energy policy, in an effort to reverse or reshape many of the Obama-era policies.

Here’s a look at some potential executive actions Trump could have pursued during the early stages of his presidency, based on his campaign proposals and policy outlines:

1. Immigration and Border Security

• Wall Construction: One of Trump's most famous campaign promises was to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He intended to start the process early, potentially by redirecting funds from other government projects and agencies to begin construction.
• Travel Ban: Trump had proposed a temporary ban on immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries, citing national security concerns. This could have been implemented through an executive order to halt refugee admissions and limit entry from certain regions.
• End DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): Trump made it clear during his campaign that he intended to end the Obama-era DACA program, which protected undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.

2. Healthcare Reform

• Repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA): Trump campaigned heavily on repealing and replacing the ACA, also known as "Obamacare." Executive actions could have been used to roll back various provisions of the ACA, including mandating waivers to certain regulations.
• Expansion of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): To replace parts of Obamacare, Trump had proposed expanding HSAs, which allow individuals to save tax-free money for healthcare costs.

3. Trade and Economic Policy

• Withdrawal from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): Trump had been a vocal critic of the TPP during the campaign, and he promised to withdraw the U.S. from the trade agreement. This could have been done on day one via executive action.
• Renegotiating NAFTA: He also threatened to pull the U.S. out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or demand substantial changes. Trump’s team could have started the process of renegotiating or withdrawing from NAFTA through executive action.
• Tariffs and Trade Barriers: Trump's "America First" trade policy included imposing tariffs on countries he believed were taking advantage of the U.S. economy. A series of executive actions could have been used to impose tariffs on goods from China or other nations.

4. Energy and Environmental Policy

• Roll Back Environmental Regulations: Trump had a strong stance against what he viewed as overregulation in the energy sector, particularly when it came to coal, oil, and natural gas. Executive actions could have been used to dismantle environmental protections, such as the Clean Power Plan, and reduce regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline: Trump was a supporter of the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline, and an executive order could have been used to approve its construction, reversing the Obama administration’s decision to block it.
• Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement: Trump had expressed the desire to withdraw from the global climate accord. An executive order could have been used to formally initiate the process of exiting the agreement.

5. Regulation and Bureaucracy

• Freeze on Federal Hiring: As part of his efforts to reduce the size of government, Trump proposed freezing federal hiring, and this could have been enacted through an executive order.
• "Two Out, One In" Rule for Regulations: Trump pledged to eliminate two existing regulations for every new one imposed, a strategy to limit the scope of government regulations. This could have been implemented through an executive directive to all federal agencies.

6. Defense and National Security

• Increase Military Spending: Trump had promised to rebuild the U.S. military, which could have started with an executive order to increase defense spending and modernize military equipment.
• Strengthening Counterterrorism Efforts: With a focus on defeating ISIS and other terrorist organizations, Trump might have used executive powers to intensify military operations or intelligence-sharing with allies.

7. Tax Policy

• Tax Cuts: Although a comprehensive tax reform bill would require legislative approval, Trump could have issued executive orders directing changes to IRS regulations or enforcement to lower taxes for businesses or individuals, aligning with his tax-cutting agenda.

8. Judiciary and Court Appointments

• Fast-Tracking Judicial Appointments: Trump could have used executive powers to prioritize judicial appointments, especially at the federal district and circuit court levels, fulfilling his promise to reshape the judiciary with conservative judges.

9. Foreign Policy

• Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital: Trump had promised to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy there, which could have been accomplished through a presidential directive.
• NATO Funding and Reforms: Trump was a critic of NATO, frequently criticizing allies for not meeting defense spending targets. He could have used executive orders to adjust U.S. contributions or to push for NATO reforms.

10. Other Domestic Policies

• Second Amendment Protections: Trump had pledged to support gun rights, and executive orders could have been used to block any future gun control measures or to ease existing restrictions.
• School Choice: A push for increased school choice, including charter schools and vouchers for private schools, could have been a focus for executive actions related to federal education policy.

In total, Trump had a variety of potential executive actions ready to be signed upon taking office, aiming to reshape U.S. policy in significant and immediate ways. However, the legal and political ramifications of these actions were often debated, as many of these orders would face legal challenges, particularly in areas related to immigration, healthcare, and the environment.

While Trump’s "shock and awe" strategy aimed to make an immediate impact, it also led to considerable controversy and opposition. The large volume of executive orders and directives often faced pushback in courts, as some of his proposals were seen as overreaching, unconstitutional, or conflicting with established laws.

In conclusion, Trump's promised 100 executive actions represented his desire for a bold start to his presidency, with an emphasis on fulfilling key campaign promises quickly. However, the practical outcomes of these actions were met with both political challenges and legal hurdles, as his administration worked to implement the aggressive policy changes he had outlined.