Up First from NPR: BONUS Episode Summary – "Trump's Day One Promises"

Hosts: Leila Fadel, A. Martinez
Episode Title: BONUS: Trump's Day One Promises
Date: Friday, November 15th

Overview

In this bonus episode of NPR's Up First, hosts Leila Fadel and A. Martinez delve into the array of promises made by President-Elect Donald Trump for his first day in office. The discussion covers significant policy pledges, including pardoning individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol attack, overhauling immigration policies, dismantling the Department of Education, expanding fossil fuel production, and rolling back protections for transgender individuals. The episode features insights from legal scholars, policy experts, and analysts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential implications of these promises.

1. Pardoning January 6th Rioters

• Trump’s Commitment:

  • Donald Trump [00:09]: “I will govern by a simple motto, promises made, promises kept. We're gonna keep our promises.”
  • Donald Trump [02:05]: “I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can't say for every single one because a couple of them probably they got out of control.”

• Expert Analysis:

  • Kim Whaley, Legal Scholar: Points out that the Constitution grants the president broad pardoning powers without explicit limits. However, the use of pardons in this context raises concerns about accountability for actions related to the January 6th insurrection.
  • Ira Glass [02:23 - 04:12]: Discusses the Supreme Court's stance on presidential immunity, suggesting that Trump's ability to grant pardons could potentially shield those close to him involved in misconduct, thereby enabling a "massive criminal enterprise in the White House."

• Implications:
  The analysis highlights the tension between presidential prerogative and the rule of law, emphasizing the potential for abuse of pardon powers to protect allies and suppress opposition.

2. Immigration Policies and Mass Deportations

• Trump’s Commitment:

  • Donald Trump [05:30]: "On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America that'll lead this effort."

• Policy Details:

  • Andrew Seeley, Migration Policy Institute [05:58 - 08:21]: Outlines Trump's plans to cancel humanitarian parole, target individuals with temporary protected statuses, and expand detention facilities. Discusses the potential use of the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798 to facilitate deportations and the role of state cooperation, particularly in red versus blue states.

• Expert Insights:

  • Jamie Taylor, University of Toledo: Explains the complexities and potential resistance from states, especially blue states, which may impede the effectiveness of mass deportations.
  • Andrew Seeley [09:05 - 09:43]: Emphasizes the political and social challenges, noting that while there is public concern about the border, there is also significant support for immigrants integrated into communities.

• Implications:
  The proposed immigration policies could lead to significant social and economic disruptions, particularly in regions dependent on immigrant labor, and may face substantial legal and political hurdles.

3. Dismantling the Department of Education

• Trump’s Commitment:

  • Donald Trump [09:43]: “We’re going to take the Department of Education, close it. I’m going to close it.”

• Policy Details:

  • John Volant, Brookings Institution [10:16 - 13:22]: Explains that while education is primarily managed by state and local governments, the Department of Education plays a crucial role in administering federal funds, enforcing civil rights, and addressing educational inequalities. Closing the department could disrupt funding and civil rights protections, particularly for disadvantaged students.

• Expert Insights:

  • John Volant [11:08 - 12:19]: Highlights that the Department of Education provides essential resources like Title I funding to underfunded schools, which benefit both blue and red states. Eliminating these programs would face opposition from various political factions, including Republicans reliant on federal funds for their constituencies.

• Implications:
  Shutting down the Department of Education could exacerbate educational inequalities and remove key support systems for underprivileged students, leading to widespread opposition across the political spectrum.

4. Boosting Fossil Fuel Production and Rolling Back Green Policies

• Trump’s Commitment:

  • Donald Trump [13:22]: “And scrapping policies and laws that benefit green technologies, such as the Inflation Reduction act, or IRA, are on the list of things to do now.”

• Policy Details:

  • Brian Murray, Duke University [13:46 - 16:48]: Discusses Trump's plans to reverse the Inflation Reduction Act by eliminating tax credits for clean energy and electric vehicles, and ending support for offshore wind projects. Trump also aims to increase oil, natural gas, and coal production by reducing restrictions on federal lands and repealing the Antiquities Act to allow more extensive fossil fuel extraction.

• Expert Insights:

  • Brian Murray [15:37 - 16:48]: Notes that while increasing fossil fuel production could lower energy costs, the U.S. remains a significant but not sole global producer. Enhanced production may not drastically impact global prices and would likely increase greenhouse gas emissions.

• Implications:
  The rollback of green policies and increased fossil fuel extraction could undermine environmental efforts, contribute to climate change, and face resistance from both environmental groups and industries invested in clean energy.

5. Rolling Back Protections for Transgender Individuals

• Trump’s Commitment:

  • Donald Trump [16:55]: “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. They’re not going to do it anymore.”

• Policy Details:

  • Jamie Taylor, University of Toledo [17:15 - 19:20]: Explores the potential impact of Trump's executive orders on transgender healthcare and civil rights. This includes the prohibition of federal support for gender-affirming care for minors and adults, and the reinterpretation of Title IX to exclude transgender athletes from women’s sports.

• Expert Insights:

  • Jamie Taylor [17:15 - 19:20]: Clarifies that the executive orders would target gender-affirming healthcare and redefine legal protections for transgender individuals in educational settings. Michelle Martin and Jamie Taylor discuss the impermanence of executive actions and the political ramifications of altering civil rights protections.

• Implications:
  These actions could severely limit access to necessary healthcare for transgender individuals, incite legal battles over civil rights, and polarize public opinion, especially among communities advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Conclusion

The episode provides a thorough examination of Donald Trump’s Day One promises, highlighting the significant policy shifts that could reshape various aspects of American society. Through expert analysis and in-depth discussions, NPR elucidates the potential consequences of these promises, ranging from legal challenges and political opposition to profound social and economic impacts. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the stakes involved in the upcoming administration's policy implementations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Donald Trump [02:05]: “I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can't say for every single one because a couple of them probably they got out of control.”
• Ira Glass [04:12]: “The Supreme Court has done by injecting immunity into a constitution that does not have it is to change the incentives for presidents, to basically lift any threat of consequences for abusing the massive power of the office.”
• Andrew Seeley [07:20]: “It gives power to the US government to hold people who are foreign nationals living in the United States. It is supposed to be designed for a time of war or intense conflict.”
• John Volant [10:16]: “They’re really administering these programs that have been established through law over the last several decades.”
• Brian Murray [15:53]: “So the US is a large and important producer, but it's not the only producer in global markets. Increasing global supplies will generally reduce prices and increase consumption, and that would lead to more emissions.”

Stay Informed: Subscribe to Up First for the three biggest stories of the day, available on weekdays and weekends. Support local NPR stations at donate.npr.org and unlock sponsor-free listening by subscribing to Up First+ at plus.npr.org/upfirst.