Here’s All The Scary Things Donald Trump Vowed He’ll Do ‘Day One’ Of Presidency

President-elect Donald Trump says he will immediately pardon Jan. 6 rioters on numerous occasions despite their attack on the U.S. Capitol.

We already can see that Donald Trump’s impending presidency will be a tumultuous one that could potentially put people of color and marginalized groups in danger of further persecution. Aside from attacks on the Haitian population and bias claims against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump has made a slew of promises for the first day he’s back in the Oval Office. Here are a list of those claims.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Nicholas Duvernay Talks ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Working with Natasha Rothwell

Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters

Photo: Getty Images Samuel Corum

Trump has said he would immediately pardon Jan. 6 rioters on numerous occasions despite their attack on the U.S. Capitol. In an interview with Time magazine published last year, Trump said “I’ll be looking at J6 early on, maybe the first nine minutes.” More than 1,580 defendants were charged and more than 1,200 have been convicted in the Jan. 6 investigation. The charges ranged from seditious conspiracy to unlawful parading.

Get Rid Of Birthright Citizenship

Photo: Getty Images PAUL RATJE

Trump wants to change a crucial part of the 14th amendment which gives anyone who is born in the U.S. automatic citizenship. Of course, this will definitely lead to an array of legal battles.

Enact Mass Deportation At Record Rates

Photo: Getty Images Genaro Molina

Trump has consistently vowed to deport undocumented migrants. Just days before the election, Trump said at a campaign rally in NYC: “On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.”

Implement Tariffs

Photo: Getty Images Qilai Shen

After winning the presidential election in November, Trump insisted that he would sign an executive order to implement a 25 percent tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada. These are two of this country’s most significant trading partners.

“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media site Truth Social.

End War In Ukraine

Photo: Getty Images STRINGER / AFP

One of Trump’s most ridiculous promises was that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of his presidency.

“That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president,” Trump said during a September debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. “I know [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy very well, and I know [Russian President Vladimir] Putin very well.”

Increase Oil Drilling

Photo: Getty Images David Paul Morris

Trump has been unrelenting in his commitment to increase oil drilling in the U.S. Trump has regularly stated that increasing U.S. oil production would significantly reduce energy costs.

Ban Transgender Women From Women’s Sports

Photo: Getty Images Allen J. Schaben

Trump has constantly referred to transgender women as men and told his followers that he will make sure that transgender women cannot compete in women’s sports. He also promised to sign an executive order on his first day in office to reduce federal funding for schools that push “transgender insanity.”

Put An End To Gender-Affirming Care

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Dietsch

Trump has spoken out against gender-affirming care, which sometimes includes hormone therapy. He said he will revoke the Biden administration’s policies that provided resources and guidance about care options.

Make The Auto Industry ‘American’

Photo: Getty Images Artur Widak

Trump has pushed for a future in which the automobile will be made in America. He wants the auto industry to be “fueled by American energy,” “sourced by American suppliers” and built by American workers. Trump said that will happen his first day in office.

Abandon “Electric Vehicle Mandates”

Photo: Getty Images Lindsey Nicholson

Back in 2021, Biden signed an order that focused on 50 percent of new cars and trucks sold by 2030 to be zero-emission. The Environmental Protection Agency finalized emission limits, and electric vehicles were expected to help meet the goals. California has a law requiring that all new car sales in the state be zero-emission with the next decade.

Trump has referred to this as “electric vehicle mandates” and said he would cancel it as soon as he assumed office.

Erase Biden’s Border Policy

Photo: Getty Images HERIKA MARTINEZ

Trump has said on his first day in office he will “terminate every open-borders policy of the Biden administration.” This means he plans on restoring all of his first term’s stringent border policies.

Cut Federal Money To Schools Promote Diversity

Photo: Getty Images Matt Roth

Trump has been an infamous adversary of America’s diversity efforts. He has vowed to divest federal money to schools that encourage “critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content onto the shoulders of our children.” Trump also vowed to cut money to any schools that have vaccine or mask mandates.

Reduce Inflation

Photo: Getty Images Scott Olson

Trump has promised to end inflation, though he never outlined a plan for it. “I will instruct my cabinet that I expect results within the first 100 days, or much sooner than that,” Trump said in 2024.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

New Black TV Shows You Need to Watch This Spring

New Black TV Shows You Need to Watch This Spring

Kerry Washington, Chase Infiniti and more are starring in hot new shows that you need to tap into right now! …
The Best Black Fashion at The iHeartRadio Music Awards

The Best Black Fashion at The iHeartRadio Music Awards

The best Black fashion we saw at the iHeartRadio Music Awards …
Breaking: Tiger Woods Arrested, Charged With DUI After Rollover Crash in FL

Breaking: Tiger Woods Arrested, Charged With DUI After Rollover Crash in FL

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods was just involved in a rollover crash in Florida almost five years after a previous car accident almost cost his life …
A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic's ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic’s ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino TikToker just said the quiet part out loud, explaining how Hispanics are indeed racist towards Black people and exactly how they do it in front of you …
Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University has just announced a new Cardi B-inspired Hip Hop course for students, and we have the tea! …
Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping 'Coming to America' From Getting Scrapped

Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping ‘Coming to America’ From Getting Scrapped

‘Coming to America’ may be a beloved cult classic now, but according to star Arsenio Hall, it almost didn’t see the light of day. Now we know what turned things around! …
Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Druski is not avoiding controversy. He just understands the culture well enough to get it right and build an audience of millions …
Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show's Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show’s Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay speaks out on the current season’s major scandal. Let’s break it down …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

Texas businesses owned by women and people of color just filed a landmark lawsuit against the State …
Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Despite historic gains in degrees and entrepreneurship, nearly 600,000 Black women were “economically sidelined” in 2025 alone, according to Fortune. Credentials and hard work have not shielded them from glaring pay gaps, bias or stalled advancement …
Here's a Full Timeline of Trump's Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

Here’s a Full Timeline of Trump’s Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

If you’re not caught up with the latest beef between Trump and Letitia James, don’t worry. We have you covered with everything to know since 2022 …
HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

A new study shows that the HBCU experience may actually be connected to a lifetime of well-being …
Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

New details from Rihanna are emerging about her unfortunate home shooting from Let’s get into it …
Druski Goes Viral With Hilarious Skit on 'Conservative Women in America'

Druski Goes Viral With Hilarious Skit on ‘Conservative Women in America’

Fan-favorite comedian Druski transforms into a satirical “Christian conservative” character, sparking millions of views and a heated online debate …
82 and Fabulous: Diana Ross's Style Through the Years

82 and Fabulous: Diana Ross’s Style Through the Years

As ‘The Boss’ turns another year older, we thought it’d be fitting to revel in the fabulous fashions of the legendary singer over the years. Let’s take a look! …
TikToker Finds Jill Scott’s Family Photos at Goodwill and Launches Mission to Return Them

TikToker Finds Jill Scott’s Family Photos at Goodwill and Launches Mission to Return Them

After stumbling across Jill Scott’s family photos in Goodwill, one TikToker user has returned the precious memories back to the singer …
New Details In Kandi Burruss Divorce From Todd Tucker

New Details In Kandi Burruss Divorce From Todd Tucker

The divorce settlement details between ‘RHOA’ star Kandi Burruss and ex Todd Tucker have been released. Let’s take a look! …
Verzuz, Once Beloved, Is Now Dead. We Just Haven’t Buried It Yet.

Verzuz, Once Beloved, Is Now Dead. We Just Haven’t Buried It Yet.

Professor: It gave us everything we needed in 2020 and nothing we need now …
Why Serena Williams' Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Why Serena Williams’ Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Serena Williams has unfortunately reignited more talks of potential skin bleaching thank to new posts on social media. And folks online are not happy! …