Trump is back and ready to change America

Summary

Consider This from NPR

Episode: Trump is back and ready to change America
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: NPR's Ari Shapiro

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Introduction: Trump's Historic Comeback

In the latest episode of NPR's Consider This, host Ari Shapiro delves into the unprecedented return of former President Donald Trump to the White House. Following his inaugural address, Trump reflects on his unlikely political resurgence, stating, “Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken” (00:09).

Context of Trump's Return

Trump’s inauguration witnesses the presence of all living former presidents, including figures he has previously criticized. Shapiro notes, “All of his living predecessors were there to witness it, despite the attacks Trump launched on them over the course of his political career” (00:20). This historical moment is underscored by the choice of venue—the Capitol Rotunda—symbolically linking to the January 6th Capitol riot, an event Trump survived both a second impeachment and a federal investigation.

Expansion of Power and Party Alignment

Upon his return, Trump wields more power than during his first term. Shapiro explains, “The Republican Party has remade itself in his image. The Supreme Court has granted him sweeping immunity for his official actions” (01:23). Trump emphasizes his mandate for drastic changes, proclaiming, “My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal...” (01:39).

Day One Executive Actions

Immediately after inauguration, Trump signs a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping American policies. As of recording, a desk at the Capital One arena is ready with "a stack of folders” signifying imminent actions. These orders include:

• Recognizing only two biologically distinct sexes, male and female (01:59).
• Ending birthright citizenship, a constitutional right (01:59).
• Launching the largest deportation operation in history (05:17).
• Redefining the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America (06:49).

Trump asserts, “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense” (02:33).

Impact on Immigration Policy

A significant portion of Trump’s agenda focuses on immigration reform. White House correspondent Franco Ordonez outlines the scope, mentioning “dozens in play today, as many as 100 to 200” executive actions, primarily targeting border security, energy, and government reform (04:33). Joel Rose expands on the immigration specifics:

• Declaring a national emergency at the southern border.
• Sending additional troops to enforce deportation of immigrants with criminal records.
• Designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (07:51).

These actions are perceived as attempts to reverse Biden-era policies and address concerns among Trump’s base regarding illegal immigration.

Legal and Political Challenges

Many of Trump’s executive actions are anticipated to face significant legal hurdles. Ordonez notes, “...birthright citizenship for children who are born to immigrants who are in the US without legal status... is unconstitutional” (08:30). Additionally, restrictions on asylum seekers and the reclassification of federal workers are expected to encounter court challenges (07:04). The administration’s aggressive moves to redefine federal workforce policies and border control measures signal a broad attempt to expand presidential authority.

Cultural Wars and Social Policies

Trump’s push for a “revolution of common sense” extends into cultural domains. He declares, “I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life” (05:49), leading to policies that roll back protections for transgender individuals and enforce strict biological definitions of gender in government records (06:09).

Foreign Policy Assertions

Beyond domestic policies, Trump aims to reassert American dominance globally. He announces plans to elevate the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America as a symbolic gesture of national pride and strength (06:49).

Reactions from the Public and Stakeholders

The episode explores varied responses:

• Supporters: Many Trump allies express satisfaction with his rapid policy moves, motivated by frustrations over preceding administrations. For instance, Ethan Zhang, an immigrant and green card holder, associates increased illegal immigration with neighborhood decline (09:24).
• Advocates: In contrast, immigrants’ advocates like Carrie Talbot criticize the administration’s use of emergency rhetoric to justify extreme measures, highlighting that illegal crossings have already significantly decreased under Biden (09:58; 10:15).

Conclusion: A Transformative Tenure Ahead

As Trump embarks on his second term, the episode underscores that his initial actions set the stage for profound changes in American governance. The executive orders signed on day one are poised to challenge existing legal frameworks and ignite intense political debates, signaling a transformative and contentious presidency.

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Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump (00:09): “Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken.”
• Donald Trump (01:39): “My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom.”
• Donald Trump (02:33): “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense.”
• Donald Trump (05:49): “I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.”
• Donald Trump (06:49): “A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.”

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Attributions:

• Ari Shapiro: Host and primary narrator providing context and transitions.
• Donald Trump: Quotes from his inaugural address outlining his agenda.
• Franco Ordonez: NPR White House correspondent offering analysis on executive actions.
• Joel Rose: NPR reporter covering the immigration aspects and public reactions.
• Ethan Zhang: Trump supporter expressing concerns over illegal immigration.
• Carrie Talbot: Advocate from Immigration Hub critiquing Trump’s policies.

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This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and reactions from NPR's Consider This episode on Donald Trump's return to the presidency, providing a clear and detailed overview for listeners and readers alike.

Transcript

[Ari Shapiro]

After he took the oath of office, President Trump spent some of his inaugural address reflecting on just how unlikely his return to the White House once seemed.

[Donald Trump]

Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken.

[Ari Shapiro]

All of his living predecessors were there to witness it, despite the attacks Trump launched on them over the course of his political career. President Clinton, whom Trump has called a sexual predator.

[Donald Trump]

President Bush.

[Ari Shapiro]

Trump has said he didn't seem smart.

[Donald Trump]

President Obama.

[Ari Shapiro]

Trump spent years pushing the lie that Obama was not born in the U.S. president Biden. Trump still doesn't acknowledge that he lost to Biden in 2020. And perhaps the biggest symbol Trump's comeback is complete. The venue, bitter cold here in Washington, forced the ceremony indoors into the Capitol Rotunda, the same place Trump supporters rioted four years ago in an attempt to keep him in office. Trump survived his second impeachment trial in the Senate for his role leading up to that attack. And he survived a federal investigation, as he alluded to in his address.

[Donald Trump]

The journey to reclaim our republic has not been an easy one, that I can tell you. Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom.

[Ari Shapiro]

Trump returns to Washington with more power than he had in his first term. The Republican Party has remade itself in his image. The Supreme Court has granted him sweeping immunity for his official actions. And unlike last time, he narrowly won the popular vote.

[Donald Trump]

My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom.

[Ari Shapiro]

And Trump prepared to exercise his new power almost immediately. As we're recording this Monday evening, a desk stocked with pens and a stack of folders sits on stage at a packed Capital One arena. Trump has pledged to sign an unprecedented wave of executive actions, many of which will be challenged in court, including one making it US Policy to recognize only two biologically distinct sexes, male and female, and another that would end birthright citizenship, a right explicitly protected by the Constitution.

[Donald Trump]

With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense.

[Ari Shapiro]

Consider this Trump's day one executive actions could make fundamental changes to some of the foundations of American government. From npr, I'm Ari Shapiro.

[Franco Ordonez]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Saatva, maker of quality handcrafted mattresses. Founder and CEO Ron Rutson shares one of their core values.

[Donald Trump]

At Saatva, we believe sleep does unlock a superpower.

[Ari Shapiro]

When you wake up and you're totally refreshed.

[Donald Trump]

You go after things more.

[Ari Shapiro]

And it all starts with being on the right mattress.

[Donald Trump]

And that's what Saatva has been inspired from the day that we started.

[Franco Ordonez]

To learn more, go to saatva.com NPR.

[Joel Rose]

This message comes from Greenlight. Parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult life skill to teach. With Greenlight, the debit card and money app for families, kids learn to earn, save and spend wisely. Get started risk [e-mail] NPR this message comes from Bluehost, making it easy to create a website fast. Their AI tools can help you customize, optimize and launch in minutes. And with 24. 7 security so you can focus on business, not hackers. Get your site [e-mail].

[Ari Shapiro]

It'S consider this from NPR. President Trump has promised a barrage of executive action covering immigration, the federal workforce and the economy. It's a dramatic move straight out of the gate, reflecting Trump's desire to make the most of these critical first few months in office. And NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez is here to talk about it. Hi there.

[Franco Ordonez]

Hey, Ari.

[Ari Shapiro]

What more can you tell us about the executive actions he's expected to sign?

[Franco Ordonez]

Yeah, I mean, we're expecting he'll sign some at the Capitol, Capitol One arena where he's meeting with supporters very, very shortly. But there are dozens in play today, as many as 100 to 200 according to some accounts. I mean, they fall largely in three buckets, border security, energy and government reform. I mean, he's basically sweeping aside many of President Biden's policies, reinstating those from his first term office and then going much, much further. He's also saying that he's gonna pardon at least some of those arrested for their role in the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

[Ari Shapiro]

The big focus here, obviously, is immigration. We'll be talking about that in more detail later in the show. But what is the significance of him taking these actions today right away?

[Franco Ordonez]

I mean, what it shows is how far Trump is willing to go to make up for basically lost time and expand his presidential powers. I mean, just as an example, he plans to launch the largest deportation operation, also wants to end birthright citizenship for the children who are here illegally. And some of these steps, like birthright citizenship, will no doubt face challenges in court and potentially in Congress since it.

[Ari Shapiro]

Is protected in the 14th amendment of the Constitution. In the inaugural address today, we heard Trump call for a revolution of common sense. What did he mean by that?

[Franco Ordonez]

I mean, that is how he describes his agenda, of course, but when it comes to these executive orders, he's really leaning into the culture wars that were a big part of his campaign.

[Donald Trump]

I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.

[Franco Ordonez]

Now, he's promised to roll back protections for transgender people. He's gonna sign an executive order stating that it's the policy of the US to recognize two biological distinct sexes, male and female. An incoming White House official told reporters that the government will use these definitions for documents like passports and employee records.

[Ari Shapiro]

Is the focus just on domestic policy today, or are there elements of his foreign policy in play also?

[Franco Ordonez]

I mean, another theme on the campaign has been that the US Is being taken advantage of by countries around the world, and he's promising an executive order that signals America's place as, quote, the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth.

[Donald Trump]

A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

[Ari Shapiro]

He talked about other name changes as well. But does signing these immediately make them policy? You said some are likely to be challenged in court.

[Franco Ordonez]

I mean, some of these are likely to be proclamations or recommendations to various agencies, but some will take effect immediately. Others, for sure, are going to face legal challenges. I mean, just in his example, you can expect court challenges against Trump's plan to reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers so that they can more easily be fired and replaced with loyalists. I mean, there is a lot to be hashed out, but regardless, there is gonna be a lot of changes ahead.

[Ari Shapiro]

White House correspondent Franco Ordonez. Thanks for walking us through this.

[Franco Ordonez]

Thanks, Ari.

[Ari Shapiro]

As we mentioned, we're gonna look a little more closely now at Trump's immigration related executive actions. Those are the first steps in a sweeping immigration agenda he's laid out for his second term. And NPR's Joel Rose has been following that. Hi, Joel.

[Joel Rose]

Hey, Ari.

[Ari Shapiro]

What more can you tell us about what these executive actions will be?

[Joel Rose]

Trump said in his inaugural address that he will declare a national emergency at the southern border and that he will send us Troo. He pledged to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to arrest and deport immigrants with criminal records, which could happen basically anytime. Trump also said he would designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. All of this is part of an ambitious agenda that could reshape border security and immigration policy in the US For a very long time, and it goes well beyond what Trump tried to do in his first term. But like in that first term, much of this agenda will likely encounter legal challenges.

[Ari Shapiro]

Which pieces of the agenda do you think are most likely to be challenged?

[Joel Rose]

Incoming White House officials say the president will sign an executive action to end birthright citizenship for children who are born to immigrants who are in the US without legal status. Many legal scholars say that is unconstitutional. So I would say that change is very likely to be challenged in court. Trump officials also say the administration will try to cut off illegal entry at the southern border. Even for people who are seeking asylum, many of whom are violence and war and oppression, that's also likely to be challenged. And we're expecting some other executive actions that might be familiar from Trump's first term. For example, restarting construction of the border wall, suspending refugee resettlement programs, and reinstating the policy called Remain in Mexico, which forced migrants to wait south of the border while their asylum claims were heard.

[Ari Shapiro]

These promises on immigration and border security were so central to Trump's campaign, you could argue they were central to his victory. So what has the reaction been from his supporters?

[Joel Rose]

NPR spoke to a number of Trump supporters who came to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration today who told us they were not happy with record levels of illegal immigration during the first part of the Biden administration. For example, Ethan Zhang, who is himself an immigrant from Western China. He is a green card holder and works in marketing in New York. Zhang said his neighborhood in Queens deteriorated during the last four years, and he blames immigrants who are here with no legal status.

[Ari Shapiro]

I used to live in Queens. My neighborhood used to be quiet, and when they got in, they play music very loud and they just don't respect anything. Angel, what are advocates for immigrants saying?

[Joel Rose]

Today I talked to Carrie Talbot with the nonprofit Immigration Hub. She says the breath and cruelty of these executive actions is what stood out for her. Talbot noted that the Biden administration had already restricted asylum at the border last year and that illegal crossings have already fallen to some of their lowest levels in years.

No, it's not an emergency right now. You know, the Trump administration is just using that language to scare people and to justify really extreme actions.

[Ari Shapiro]

Reporting there from NPR's Joel Rose. Thank you, Joel.

[Joel Rose]

You're welcome.

[Ari Shapiro]

This episode was produced by Connor Donovan. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Ari Shapiro.

[Franco Ordonez]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Washington Wise. Decisions made in Washington can affect your portfolio every day. Washington Wise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. That unpacks the stories making news in Washington. [e-mail] WashingtonWise support for NPR and the.

[Joel Rose]

Following message come from IXL Learning. IXL Learning uses advanced algorithms to give the right help to each kid, no matter the age or personality. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when you sign up [e-mail] NPR this.

[Franco Ordonez]

Message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn [e-mail] NPR.