President Donald Trump plans to waste no time taking action after being sworn in for his second term as leader of the free world.
The second-term president took the oath of office at noon and, in his inauguration remarks, listed a slew of executive orders he intended to sign in the coming hours.
Trump puts immediate focus on immigration and border security
Among them were a declaration of a national emergency at the country’s southern border so that “all illegal entry immediately halts.”
He also said that he would be sending “millions and millions” of “criminal aliens” back to their home countries and would reiterate his remain in Mexico policy.
Trump also plans to send troops to southern border to repel a “disastrous invasion” and will designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
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He also said that he expects authorities to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to fight gangs and criminal networks in cities and inner cities.
That law allows the president to target immigrants without a hearing and based only on their country of birth or citizenship, according to the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.
Trump declares national energy emergency
Trump said that he will also declare a national energy emergency and will “drill baby, drill.” He went on to say that the country will have the largest amount of oil and gas any nation on earth. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration — the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy — America has been the world’s leading crude oil producer for each of the last six years.
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What else did Trump say?
The new president also announced he would implement tariffs and taxes on foreign countries and create an external revenue service and a department of government efficiency. He also said he plans to reinstate military personnel that were discharged for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine, with back pay.
Other, less defined goals that Trump mentioned include plans to “bring back free speech” and “law and order back to our cities.” He said there are “only two genders, male and female.”
He also claimed that he intends to remain the Gulf of Mexico into the “Gulf of America,” to reinstate the name “Mount McKinley,” take back the Panama Canal and put astronauts on Mars.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
