WASHINGTON – Donald Trump is set to return to the White House after being projected the winner of the 2024 presidential race.

During his campaign for the presidency, Trump outlined several things he wanted to accomplish on his first day back in office, vowing to enact significant changes in key policy areas, including immigration, energy and foreign policy.

In recent months, Trump has made it clear that his approach to governing will be bold and immediate, declaring late last year that he would not rule as a dictator “except on Day 1.”

Here’s what Trump said he would do on his first day in office.

Special Counsel Jack Smith

On Day 1, Trump said he promised to fire special counsel Jack Smith “within two seconds” if he returned to the White House.

In a recent interview on “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” Trump stressed that firing Smith, who has brought two federal criminal cases against him, will be one of his top priorities when he takes office.

“We have immunity at the Supreme Court. It’s that easy. I’d fire him in two seconds,” Trump said, describing Smith’s investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump has long criticized the legal proceedings against him, which include several criminal cases. He also promised to take action against the prosecutors and judges involved.

Mass deportations

Trump has made immigration a central issue in his campaign, pledging to launch “the largest deportation program in American history” on his first day back in office.

Speaking at a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to rounding up and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, especially those with criminal records.

“On Day 1, I’m going to launch the largest deportation program to get criminals out,” Trump told the crowd. “I will save every town and city that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious, bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then get the hell out of our country as quickly as possible.”

Trump’s plan, which he said would involve local law enforcement and the National Guard, aims to address what he describes as the growing threat posed by illegal immigration. He has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies, arguing that they have made America less safe — even though studies show that U.S.-born citizens are more likely to be arrested for violent crimes than undocumented immigrants.

In an NBC interview on Thursday, Trump said he had “no choice” but to move forward with the plan he introduced on the campaign trail to carry out what he and aides promised would be the biggest effort of deportation in American history.

He added: “It’s not a question of price. It’s not – really, we have no choice. When people killed and killed, when drug lords destroyed countries and now they will return to those countries because they are not staying here. There is no price tag.”

In addition to the mass deportations, Trump said he would sign an executive order on Day 1 to prevent federal agencies from automatically granting U.S. citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants and would likely resume construction of a border wall stalled by the Biden administration.

Release some convicts since January 6

Trump also promised that one of his first acts in a second term would be to pardon people convicted of their roles in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Speaking at a CNN town hall in May 2023, Trump said he was “inclined to pardon a lot” of those involved in the insurgency, but acknowledged he couldn’t say that for “everyone, because probably a few of them got out. of control”.

“I’m going to sign their pardons on Day 1,” Trump reiterated at a rally in September, promising to review the cases of those he deemed “unjustly imprisoned“by the Biden-Harris administration.

By October, more than 1,500 people had been charged in connection with the Capitol breach, with more than half pleading guilty to various crimes, including assaults on law enforcement officers.

The end of climate, energy policies

Trump has said that if re-elected, one of his first acts in office would be to dismantle key elements of the Biden administration’s climate and energy agenda.

Speaking at rallies and in campaign videos, Trump has vowed to end the “Green New Deal,” a term he uses to describe various climate policies promoted by Democrats, including the Cut Inflation Act.

Trump slammed the Green New Deal as a “scam” and vowed to roll back unspent funds allocated under the Inflation Relief Act, which includes significant investments in clean energy and climate initiatives.

“To further beat inflation, my plan will end the Green New Deal, which I call the Green New Scam. Probably the biggest scam in history,” Trump said during a speech at the Economic Club of New York in September.

At a rally in New Jersey, he also promised to sign an executive order “on day 1” to stop offshore wind projects, which he has repeatedly argued are harming marine life. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has denied that claim, but Trump has continued to support it as part of his broader criticism of clean energy initiatives.

He also expressed interest in withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Accords once again, a move he made during his first term, only for President Biden to join after taking office.

Drill, baby, drill

Additionally, Trump revived his “drill, baby, drill” slogan, signaling his commitment to expanding domestic oil and gas production.

He argued that energy independence, fueled by increased fossil fuel production, is crucial to addressing economic challenges, particularly inflation.

Asked by Fox News host Sean Hannity what he meant by being a “dictator” on his first day, Trump replied: “I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill. We close the border and Drill, drill, drill. After that, I am no longer a dictator.

Cut federal funding for some schools

Among other measures, Trump additionally outlined plans for his first day that focus on education, transgender rights and vaccination mandates. Those promises, which have become central themes of his 2024 campaign, would target policies implemented by the Biden administration.

Among Trump’s most notable Day 1 actions would be to cut federal funding “for any school or program that pushes critical race theory, gender ideology, or other racially, sexually or politically inappropriate content on our children,” as well as those with vaccination mandates. Although Trump would need congressional approval to implement the funding cuts, the proposal drew significant applause from his supporters at rallies.

Foreign policy

Trump has pledged to return to a foreign policy that prioritizes America’s interests above international alliances, signaling a sharp departure from the approach of the Biden administration.

While Biden focused on strengthening global partnerships and leading support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, Trump promised to put “America first” on his foreign policy agenda.

Trump previously said he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine “before he takes office.”

His comments have raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies, who fear he could push for a peace deal that would allow Russia to retain control of Ukrainian territory it has invaded.