Consider This from NPR – Episode: "Can Trump Turn Promises into Policy?"
Release Date: December 16, 2024
Host: Mary Louise Kelly

Introduction

In this compelling episode of NPR's Consider This, host Mary Louise Kelly delves into the ambitious policy agenda laid out by President Donald Trump on the first day of his administration. Titled "Can Trump Turn Promises into Policy?", the episode examines the feasibility and potential impact of Trump's promises, featuring an in-depth conversation with senior Trump adviser, Jason Miller.

Trump’s Day One Promises

Economic Reforms and Prosperity

• Timestamp [00:00]: Donald Trump declares, “Starting on day one, we'll implement a rapid series of bold reforms to restore our nation to full prosperity. We're going to go full prosperity and to build the greatest economy the world has ever seen, just as we have.”
• Analysis: Trump emphasizes a swift and comprehensive approach to economic revitalization, aiming to replicate the economic successes of his previous term.

Immigration and Deportation

• Timestamp [00:32]: Trump announces, “On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of our country.”
• Timestamp [00:14]: Discusses policies like "remain in Mexico" and abolishing "catch and release."
• Adviser Insight: Jason Miller explains that the administration plans to reinstate previous Trump-era immigration policies through executive orders, focusing on deporting criminal immigrants and tightening border security without halting legal trade and commerce.

Energy Policy

• Timestamp [00:41]: Trump states, “On day one, we're going to drill, baby, drill.”
• Analysis: A clear commitment to expanding domestic energy production, reversing previous administration restrictions to lower energy costs and stimulate economic growth.

Education Reform

• Timestamp [00:44]: Trump vows, “We're going to take the Department of Education. Close it. I'm going to close it.”
• Adviser Insight: Miller does not delve deeply into education, but the statement signals potential significant restructuring or elimination of federal oversight in education.

Gender-Affirming Care

• Timestamp [00:49]: Trump declares, “On day one, I will sign an executive order instructing every federal agency to cease the promotion of sex or gender transition at any age.”
• Analysis: This move aims to restrict federal support and funding for gender-affirming medical procedures, reflecting Trump's stance on social issues.

Ukraine Conflict

• Timestamp [01:04]: Trump promises, “Russians and Ukrainians, I want them to stop dying. And I'll have that done. I'll have that done in 24 hours. I'll have it.”
• Analysis: A bold claim addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, suggesting immediate diplomatic or strategic interventions to halt casualties.

Pardons for January 6th Rioters

• Timestamp [01:15]: Trump asserts, “First day... I'm looking to issue these pardons.”
• Adviser Insight: Miller discusses the near-absolute nature of presidential pardon powers but acknowledges the complexities and potential legal challenges in implementing widespread pardons.

In-Depth Discussion with Jason Miller

Implementation of Immigration Policies

• Timestamp [04:14]: Miller outlines the immediate reinstatement of Trump-era immigration policies through executive orders, emphasizing the focus on deporting criminal immigrants while maintaining legal trade and travel.
• Quote: “We're going to make it so if you're illegal and you're not coming in through a port of entry, or even if you're trying to come into a port of entry illegally, you're not going to be allowed in.”
• Challenges: Addressing international cooperation, particularly with countries like Mexico and Venezuela, to ensure deported individuals are returned promptly.

Addressing Potential Backlash

• Timestamp [06:09]: Mary Louise Kelly introduces a critique from Jason Hauser, Biden's former ICE chief, who predicts turmoil under Trump's policies.
• Quote from Hauser: “They are, quote, going to be hell.”
• Miller’s Response: He dismisses the pessimistic outlook, asserting confidence in the administration's preparedness and the strength of the executive orders to withstand legal challenges.

Grocery Prices and Inflation Control

• Timestamp [08:21]: Miller discusses the administration’s strategy to combat inflation by reviving energy exploration and reducing federal spending.
• Quote: “If you make energy cheaper, everything becomes cheaper. When you don't go and spend trillions of dollars that we don't have and you get some fiscal sanity restored, then you can curb what future inflation will look like.”
• Interconnected Policies: Miller explains how lowering energy costs will directly reduce the cost of goods, including groceries, thereby addressing one of Trump's key electoral promises.

Balancing Immigration Crackdown with Economic Stability

• Timestamp [11:08]: Kelly raises concerns about potential labor shortages in sectors reliant on immigrant labor, questioning how deportations might affect food prices.
• Miller’s Clarification: He differentiates between illegal immigration and essential legal immigration (e.g., H2A visas for seasonal agricultural workers), asserting that the crackdown targets unauthorized entrants without harming legal labor channels.
• Quote: “We're not talking about lowering the levels of legal immigration. So there are things called the H2A visa where seasonal agriculture workers are allowed to come in.”

Historical Context and Experience

• Timestamp [12:02]: Miller references Trump’s previous term, highlighting the low inflation rate of 1.4% over four years as a benchmark.
• Quote: “What we have to do is... getting the energy exploration and the deregulation that will have an immediate impact for what we do to start reversing that.”
• Strategic Advantage: Leveraging Trump’s existing knowledge and established relationships to implement policies efficiently from day one.

Conclusions and Insights

Mary Louise Kelly and Jason Miller explore the intricate balance between swiftly implementing bold policies and navigating potential legal and economic challenges. Miller underscores the administration's confidence in executing Trump’s promises effectively, drawing on past experiences and established strategies. However, the episode also implicitly highlights the complexities inherent in such ambitious policy agendas, including international cooperation, economic interdependencies, and public response.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump on Economic Prosperity:
  “[00:00] ‘Starting on day one, we'll implement a rapid series of bold reforms to restore our nation to full prosperity.’”

• Jason Miller on Immigration Policies:
  “[04:14] ‘We're going to make it so if you're illegal and you're not coming in through a port of entry... you're not going to be allowed in.’”

• Jason Miller on Inflation Control:
  “[08:21] ‘If you make energy cheaper, everything becomes cheaper.’”

• Jason Miller on Legal vs. Illegal Immigration:
  “[11:08] ‘We're not talking about lowering the levels of legal immigration... seasonal agriculture workers are allowed to come in.’”

Final Thoughts

"Can Trump Turn Promises into Policy?" offers a thorough examination of President Trump's immediate policy actions and the strategies behind them. Through expert analysis and direct insights from a key Trump adviser, the episode provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the potential successes and challenges facing the new administration. Whether one agrees with Trump's agenda or not, the episode underscores the significant changes poised to shape the nation's trajectory in the coming months.

Produced by Mark Rivers and Connor Donovan. Edited by Courtney Dorning. Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun.