Donald Trump’s Second Term Promises Major Policy Shifts on Immigration, Environment, and Foreign Aid

Jan. 18, 2025, 11:08 am ET

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  • Donald Trump’s second presidency promises significant policy changes.
  • Key areas include immigration, environmental policy, and foreign aid.
  • These changes could have far-reaching domestic and international implications.

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Essential Context

As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, several key policy areas are set to undergo significant changes. Trump’s campaign promises and the Project 2025 document outline a range of initiatives that could impact various aspects of American life and global relations.

Core Players

  • Donald Trump – President-elect with a history of contentious policies.
  • U.S. Congress – Will play a crucial role in passing or blocking Trump’s legislative agenda.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Faces potential downsizing and regulatory changes.
  • USAID – Agency impacted by changes in foreign aid policies.

Key Numbers

  • 20 – Number of states offering in-state tuition to undocumented students, a policy Trump aims to challenge.
  • 2025 – Year Trump is set to take office and begin implementing new policies.
  • $21.7M – Amount spent by the Trump administration on lobbying in 2023 (for context on potential future lobbying efforts).
  • 2017 – Year Trump’s first term began, marking the start of his initial policy implementations.

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The Catalyst

Trump’s second presidency is driven by a set of campaign promises and policy documents, notably the Project 2025 plan. This plan outlines sweeping changes in immigration, environmental policy, and foreign aid.

“We will reinstate every rule related to immigration that was issued during my first term,” Trump has stated, including the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Inside Forces

Immigration policy is expected to become more stringent. Trump plans to deny loan access to undocumented students and to schools that offer in-state tuition to them. This could affect nearly 20 states, including California, Texas, and New York.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is likely to be heavily downsized, making it harder to enforce existing environmental regulations. The Project 2025 document criticizes the “climate fanaticism” of the Biden administration and suggests a “whole of government unwinding” of climate policies.

Power Dynamics

The EPA’s potential downsizing and the reshaping of U.S. Global Change Research Programs indicate a significant shift in environmental policy, favoring fossil fuels over climate change initiatives.

Outside Impact

International challenges, such as Russia’s war on Ukraine, China’s pressure on Taiwan, and North Korea’s nuclear arsenal expansion, will test Trump’s foreign policy promises.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, several key areas will be subject to significant changes:

  • Immigration policies, including the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
  • Environmental regulations, with a focus on downsizing the EPA and promoting fossil fuels.
  • Foreign aid policies, shifting from climate change to fossil fuel expansion.
  • Tax reforms, potentially renewing or modifying the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Data Points

  • 2017: Start of Trump’s first term and implementation of initial policies.
  • 2024: Year Trump was elected for his second term.
  • 2025: Year Trump will take office and begin new policy implementations.
  • 20: Number of states offering in-state tuition to undocumented students.

As Trump prepares to take office for his second term, the landscape of U.S. policy is set to undergo significant transformations. These changes will have far-reaching impacts both domestically and internationally, shaping the future of immigration, environmental policy, and global relations.