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
A Jogger had no idea What or Who Hit Her… Until Police Showed Her

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

15 of the Cutest, Iconic Celeb Black Love Stories

15 of the Cutest, Iconic Celeb Black Love Stories

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating some of the cutest Black stories from Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee to A$AP Rocky and Rihanna …
Screenshot: YouTube/Prime Video

In the Mood for Black Love Films This Valentine’s Day? We Got You

Need some solid Black Love films to feel your Valentine’s Day 2026 queue? Check out our list! …
New Voting Bill Dusts Off Old Voter Suppression Tactics

New Voting Bill Dusts Off Old Voter Suppression Tactics

Voting rights advocates are warning that the SAVE America Act could disenfranchise voters, especially women, Black and Hispanic people, and young voters …
Maybe You’re Single on Valentine’s Day Because You Listen to Social Media

Maybe You’re Single on Valentine’s Day Because You Listen to Social Media

In today’s social media era, chances are you or someone you know takes bad relationship advice on the internet seriously. Stop it …
Messy New Details Emerge in ‘RHOA’ Star Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker Divorce Timeline

Messy New Details Emerge in ‘RHOA’ Star Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker Divorce Timeline

The divorce between Kandi Burress and Todd Tucker is starting to get a bit more testy. Here’s the latest in their unfortunate saga! …
15 Best Hip-Hop Love Songs For Valentine's Day

15 Best Hip-Hop Love Songs For Valentine’s Day

To get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, here are some of The Root’s favorite rap love songs …
Grand Jury Calls D4vd's Family to the Witness Stand in Tragic Celeste Rivas Investigation

Grand Jury Calls D4vd’s Family to the Witness Stand in Tragic Celeste Rivas Investigation

D4vd’s family are fighting a court subpoena in connection to the death of Celeste Rivas, the teen found stuffed inside a Tesla …
A Full Timeline of Trump and Rep. Ilhan Omar's Long, Ongoing Beef

A Full Timeline of Trump and Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Long, Ongoing Beef

In order to understand the tense relationship between president Trump and Rep. Ilhan Omar currently, you’d have to start at the very beginning …
Report Finds Chemicals Used in Certain Black Hair Products Will Sicken You -- Maybe Literally

Report Finds Chemicals Used in Certain Black Hair Products Will Sicken You — Maybe Literally

Various hair extensions and products used by majority Black women are back under the microscope thanks to an all-new study …
New Washington Post Analysis Exposes Lies About Don Lemon's Arrest

New Washington Post Analysis Exposes Lies About Don Lemon’s Arrest

As Don Lemon heads to court for covering an anti-ICE protest inside a church, The Washington Post is offering eye-opening analysis of the “incriminating” evidence against him …
Even MORE Drama Surrounding Former Dolton 'Super Mayor' Tiffany Henyard— And It's Messy

Even MORE Drama Surrounding Former Dolton ‘Super Mayor’ Tiffany Henyard— And It’s Messy

In a new lawsuit, the Village of Dolton claims Fifth Third Bank ignored rules to let disgraced former mayor Tiffany Henyard “steal” $1.9M in taxpayer funds …
Exclusive: Raphael Warnock Breaks Down the Real Problem with Trump's Version of 'Christianity'

Exclusive: Raphael Warnock Breaks Down the Real Problem with Trump’s Version of ‘Christianity’

“In Donald Trump’s White House, Jesus is a victim of identity theft,” Sen. Raphael Warnock told The Root in an exclusive interview …
Social Media Has Wild Theories About the Connection Between Nancy Guthrie's Kidnapping and Jeffrey Epstein

Social Media Has Wild Theories About the Connection Between Nancy Guthrie’s Kidnapping and Jeffrey Epstein

Two weeks after Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home, many social media users have made shocking connections between the tragic case and Jeffrey Epstein …
How an Argument Over Wingstop Fries Led to the Senseless Death of Texas Teen, Cops Say

How an Argument Over Wingstop Fries Led to the Senseless Death of Texas Teen, Cops Say

A casual hangout for two Texas neighbors turned into a crime scene after Lemarques Darden Jr. allegedly killed his friend over french fries …
Cardi B and the Department of Homeland Security are Beefing and It's Wild!

Cardi B and the Department of Homeland Security are Beefing and It’s Wild!

Cardi B has never shied away from using social media to air out her issues with various people. And now ICE is the latest entity to be involved! …
What Depression-Era Tips Can Teach Us In a 2026 Economy

What Depression-Era Tips Can Teach Us In a 2026 Economy

Our grandparents and great-grandparents made a dollar out of fifteen cents in tough times and their habits can help us get through a shaky economy …
How Are Millennials, Gen Z Finding Love in 2026? We've Got Answers

How Are Millennials, Gen Z Finding Love in 2026? We’ve Got Answers

As Valentine’s Day 2026 approaches, we’re diving into the current state of millennial and Gen Z dating …
Nick Cannon’s Baby Mama Opens Up About Her Relationship With the Other Mothers—and It’s Not What You’d Expect

Nick Cannon’s Baby Mama Opens Up About Her Relationship With the Other Mothers—and It’s Not What You’d Expect

The real dynamics of how Nick Cannon splits his time with his kids and the affect it has on one of the mother’s of his children is finally being put on blast! …
This Suburban Chicago City Made History With Black Reparations -- Now, It's Pay Day

This Suburban Chicago City Made History With Black Reparations — Now, It’s Pay Day

One Illinois city has started a plan to close the racial wealth gap, making reparations payments to Black residents …
J. Cole Is Popping Up at HBCUs— And Nobody Knows Where He’s Heading Next

J. Cole Is Popping Up at HBCUs— And Nobody Knows Where He’s Heading Next

J. Cole has been literally pulling up to fans on HBCU campuses to celebrate the release of “The Fall Off.” Could your school be next? …