Trump seems to be doing America in a big second step

Each new president begins a new chapter in American history. And when Donald Trump is inaugurated in Washington, DC on Monday, he hopes to usher in a new era for this country.

The turn-of-the-century ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, which was moved indoors for the first time in decades, also marked a time when the cold weather began to be measured in actions, not promises.

And he promised seismic change and action on the first day. At a raucous rally in the city on Sunday, Trump said he would sign several executive orders within minutes of his inauguration, covering issues ranging from immigration and immigration to the environment and transgender rights.

“You will have a lot of fun watching television tomorrow,” he told the crowd here.

But despite his presidency starting off with a bang, there are still questions about what Trump’s second act will look like.

Will we feel the tectonic plates shifting beneath our feet as he reenters the White House? Can he do the reforms he promised? Will it be as apocalyptic as its opponents suggest?

After hearing some of his detractors, you’d be forgiven for thinking the skies would darken and the birds would flee Washington as soon as they were sworn in.

Many try to rule as autocrats and undermine American democracy. His predecessor, Joe Biden, used his final Oval Office address to warn of a dangerous oligarchy of unaccountable billionaires emerging around Trump that threatens Americans’ basic rights and liberties.

But no one can deny that the 78-year-old Trump is clearly in power after his decisive election victory in November. He won the popular vote and the Electoral College. He won in pure swing states. The agenda has the green light from voters.

This time, Trump is determined to implement his agenda. He has a more experienced and deeply committed team behind him to make sure that happens.

He also plans – with the help of the estimate Elon Musk’s “Efficiency Chamber of Government” – Rapid dismissal of many civil servants and officials.

Trump believes there is still a “deep state” in the US government trying to thwart his agenda. So we expect more transparency from federal employees than the government machinery that usually comes with administrative change and more political behind it.

Many of the plans, like major tax cuts for large corporations and the very wealthy, require legislation passed by Congress.

But that won’t be a problem since he controls the Republican Party and majorities in both chambers. Senators and Representatives cannot oppose him in numbers. And Musk is on hand to use his social media platform and vast resources to pressure any rebel back into line.

Is there anything stopping Trump from rounding up millions of undocumented immigrants and deporting them, or targeting political opponents he sees as enemies of the justice system?

There are undoubtedly logistical and financial obstacles, especially when it comes to mass displacement, but democratic opposition alone will not be enough to stop it. After all, the party is still reeling from the election defeat.

There is internal conflict when members do a lengthy post-mortem on this result. And the protest movement that sparked before Trump’s first term, the days after his inauguration that brought more than a million people to the streets, seems less energized this time around.

After his 2020 election loss, Trump was banished from social media platforms following the Capitol’s uproar and baseless voter fraud. As he prepares to graduate in the Rotunda on January 6, 2021, where his supporters have moved, these companies are treating him differently this time.

Seated well in the VIP room to watch will be a collection 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 is the living embodiment of the super-rich “tech-industrial complex” that Biden warned about in his farewell speech.

These people have moved toward a warmer relationship with Trump. ZuckerbergMeta is abandoning fact-checking. On Facebook and Instagram, Bezos blocked The Washington Post (which he owns) from endorsing Kamala Harris. And they all donated millions to Trump’s foundation.

Whether in Congress or in the corporate world, Trump is starting his career with a warm welcome to America’s power brokers.

Day One will no doubt feature some eye-catching acts designed to carry out the mass executive orders. Like granting presidential pardons to many, if not all, of those charged in the Capitol riots. His supporters will be delighted to see the release of the people they consider political hostages.

Trump needs a steady stream of such populist moves. Because there is a risk that some of the plans will conflict with the preferences of the supporters.

After years of high inflation, many want lower prices. But most economists suggest that tariffs on imports could push prices higher.

Mass evictions could lead to labor shortages in construction – complicating promises to build more homes – and could further drive up food prices in the agricultural sector. And the biggest beneficiaries of tax cuts seem to be billionaires, not the working class.

Eye-catching proposals, such as a promise to name the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, may please many of those who put him in power. But it remains to be seen how many Americans will benefit from his policies.

But Trump is the ultimate political showman. His ability to entertain is part of his power and charm. But the second season’s agenda is deeper than pure showmanship and, if approved, will make a difference.

His return to the White House will be spectacular and eventful, and the results will be felt around the world. It could change America fundamentally and permanently.