With the victory of former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential elections against former Vice President Kamala Harris, America will experience a dramatic change in leadership. Not much is clear as of now, but a quick look at Trump’s previous policies and proposed plans can give an accurate model of America’s future.
Based on previous trends under Trump’s leadership, America can expect mass deportations of undocumented migrants, an effort that would cost billions of dollars and raise human rights concerns. Despite the fact that nearly 80% of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. have lived in the nation for a decade or more and have families and jobs here, Trump plans to start deportations in the communities of Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado.
Additionally, Trump has been publicly vague on the topic of abortions in the country. He has repeatedly said that the issue should be under the jurisdiction of the states rather than the federal government. However, on various occasions, Trump has claimed that he will not be enforcing a national ban on abortion, and has pledged to expand access to In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) after facing backlash for the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, which determined that frozen embryos created during IVF could be considered children.
Trump’s presidency could also lead to hardships for the LGBTQ+ community—another minority group who have faced discrimination under Trump’s policies. Previously, the Trump administration had banned transgender people from serving in the military, and had attempted to repeal health protections for transgender individuals. For his new term, he has pledged to punish doctors who provide gender affirming care for minors, as well as teachers who discuss transgender issues with their students.
During his campaign, Trump has proposed large tax cuts and a decrease of business regulations, both of which he believes would boost economic growth. The 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act is expected to be extended under his new term, which would reduce income taxes for all Americans; however, it would mostly benefit high-income households. Trump is also expected to impose blanket tariffs of up to 20% on all products imported into the U.S. from other countries.
Finally, the Trump administration is likely to decrease involvement in climate and clean energy policies. During his previous presidency, Trump had pulled the United States out from the Paris Climate Agreement, and he has expressed interest in increasing U.S. oil and gas production during this new election year. He has plans to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act and redistribute the funds allocated to environmental purposes. Scientists and environmentalists consistently warn about the irreversible impacts of Trump’s policies on climate change, saying that any robust climate action in the next four years must be completed at the state and local levels, as well as in the business sector.