Five takeaways from Trump’s first week as president-elect

In the wake of his recent election victory, Donald Trump has swiftly begun laying the groundwork for his upcoming term as president. His actions and decisions during his first week as president-elect have revealed several key priorities that may significantly impact the future of the United States. Here are five major takeaways from this whirlwind week. Firstly, Trump is assembling a team of loyal supporters to help him reshape the government. Almost immediately after his election win, he started nominating individuals for his cabinet and appointing senior aides. However, his choices indicate a clear intention to disrupt the traditional political landscape. Instead of selecting experienced candidates, Trump is opting for individuals who are closely aligned with his vision and who have demonstrated unwavering loyalty to him. For instance, his nominee for defense secretary has expressed a desire to remove military leaders who promote what he refers to as 'woke' policies. Similarly, his health secretary nominee aims to eradicate corruption within health agencies and has suggested eliminating entire departments within the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, Trump has proposed the creation of a 'Department of Government Efficiency,' which would be led by advisors like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, focusing on reducing regulations and cutting costs. This approach underscores Trump's commitment to overhauling government operations and ensuring that his administration is staffed by individuals who share his goals. Secondly, Trump is poised to benefit from a supportive Congress. The Republican Party has regained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, granting them a narrow majority in both chambers. This development is crucial for Trump, as it will facilitate the passage of his legislative agenda. With a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump is likely to encounter less resistance from the opposing Democratic Party, allowing him to pursue his policy priorities more effectively. This newfound power could enable him to implement significant changes, such as mass deportations, imposing tariffs on foreign imports, and rolling back environmental regulations. Thirdly, while Trump enjoys a friendly Congress, not all Senate Republicans may be willing to follow his lead without question. This week, the Senate elected a new leader, and Trump's preferred candidate was not successful in securing the position. Although this outcome does not represent a public rejection of Trump, it does highlight the potential challenges he may face in maintaining unity among Senate Republicans. As confirmation hearings for his cabinet nominees approach, it is likely that some Senate Republicans will voice their opposition to certain appointments, particularly those that are more controversial. For example, there are already indications that some senators are not in favor of Trump's choice for the justice department. Fourthly, Trump's legal troubles may be on the verge of resolution. While much attention has been focused on his cabinet nominations, it is important to note that his criminal conviction related to a hush-money case remains unresolved. However, a judge has recently postponed a decision regarding whether to overturn this conviction, citing a Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential immunity. This ruling could have significant implications for Trump, as it may lead to the dismissal of his conviction. Regardless of the outcome, it is anticipated that his scheduled sentencing will be delayed. Lastly, Trump is clearly prioritizing his stance on China. His approach to foreign policy diverges sharply from that of President Biden, and it appears that he is preparing to adopt a more aggressive posture toward Beijing. Many of the individuals he has nominated for key positions in his administration are known for their hardline views on China, viewing it as a significant threat to U. S. economic and military dominance. For instance, his nominee for secretary of state has characterized China as the 'most advanced adversary America has ever faced. ' Furthermore, his national security adviser has stated that the U. S. is currently engaged in a 'cold war' with China. With tensions between the two nations already high during Trump's first term, it seems likely that his administration will take an even tougher stance on China in the years to come.