Commentary: Big Tent Ideas

JENNA ELLIS: Day 1 Priorities For A New Trump Administration: A Blueprint For American Renewal

President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the launch of the SpaceX Starship in Cameron County. Texas. Nov. 19, 2024. (Screen Capture/CSPAN)

After four years of economic challenges, border insecurity and decades of expansive federal overreach, the time has come to re-center our priorities on the foundational values that made America great. The second Trump administration’s first day will serve as a decisive moment to set the stage for bold action on border security, economic revitalization and government reform. Here are the key priorities and how they should begin to take shape.

1-Securing The Border And Addressing Illegal Immigration

Border security is not just a question of policy — it is a matter of national sovereignty and safety. The Biden administration’s lax border policies have led to record surges in illegal crossings, with Customs and Border Protecting having over 2.2 million encounters in fiscal 2022 alone. On day one, President Donald Trump should reinstate key policies such as “Remain in Mexico” and expand border wall construction. Additionally, a renewed focus on mass deportations, especially immediately for violent criminals, will reinforce the message that the rule of law is paramount.

The administration must also move to immediately end sanctuary city protections and increase federal support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain and remove those in the country illegally. These steps are not only necessary to restore law and order but also critical to protecting American workers from wage suppression caused by an influx of undocumented labor.

2-Revitalizing The Economy And Empowering American Workers

The U.S. economy faces persistent challenges, including inflation, labor shortages, and a national debt exceeding $36 trillion. Day one will mark a commitment to rolling back the excessive regulations and executive orders imposed during the Biden years, which have burdened small businesses and discouraged domestic energy production.

Key steps must include lifting restrictions on energy projects like the Keystone XL pipeline, which President Joe Biden canceled on his first day in office. Restoring energy independence will lower costs for American families while creating thousands of high-paying jobs. Additionally, the Trump administration should prioritize tax cuts to incentivize business investment and bring jobs back to U.S. soil through policies like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which spurred economic growth and reduced unemployment to historic lows.

3-Reducing The Size Of Government

Federal overreach has grown exponentially, with new agencies and expanded budgets pushing the federal workforce to its highest non-Census-year levels in decades. A leaner, more efficient government will be a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda. This includes freezing non-essential hiring, eliminating duplicative programs, and consolidating or closing agencies where appropriate. DOGE will be a key component, but each agency head can do a lot too.

Reducing the federal bureaucracy will not only save taxpayer dollars but also ensure that government serves the people — not the other way around. On day one, Trump can sign an executive order mandating a review of all federal departments to identify waste and redundancy.

4-Rolling Back Biden-Era Executive Overreach

Biden’s tenure has been marked by a record number of executive orders — more than 115 in just two years —touching everything from radical climate policy to student loan forgiveness. Many of these actions bypassed Congress and imposed sweeping changes without public accountability or constitutional fidelity. Trump must take immediate steps to rescind executive orders that undermine energy independence, threaten Second Amendment rights and impose costly mandates on businesses and states.

For example, Biden’s executive orders on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and regulations targeting the oil and gas sector will be reversed. These actions will signal to businesses that the federal government is committed to fostering growth rather than stifling it.

5-Restoring The Mexico City Policy

On day one, Trump should restore the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning overseas. This policy, originally implemented under President Ronald Reagan, reflects a commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize abortion practices abroad.

Biden rescinded the policy early in his term, allowing billions in U.S. foreign aid to flow to organizations that advocate for or provide abortions globally. Reinstating the Mexico City Policy will signal America’s renewed dedication to pro-life values while redirecting foreign aid to programs that prioritize maternal and child health without promoting abortion. This move underscores the administration’s broader commitment to safeguarding life and respecting the conscience of American taxpayers.

A Bold Vision For America’s Future

The challenges facing the nation are immense, but so too are the opportunities for renewal. On day one, the Trump administration must move decisively to secure the border, revitalize the economy, reduce government overreach, and restore the constitutional balance of power. By putting the interests of the American people first, this administration will lay the groundwork for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future.

The road ahead will not be easy, but with bold leadership and a renewed commitment to America’s core principles, we can once again make America great.

Jenna Ellis is a senior adviser of public policy for the American Family Association, national radio host of “Jenna Ellis in the Morning,” and a Florida resident. She previously served as a senior legal adviser to former President Donald Trump.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.