Most influential conservative ever? Trump sets a blazing pace

Donald Trump, who survived multiple assassination attempts and criminal prosecutions, pulled off the most impressive political comeback in American history when he took the oath of office Monday. During his inaugural address, he lambasted Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, forcing them to sit through a list of their failures. The 47th president made sweeping promises, including sending troops to secure the border, returning manufacturing to the United States, and avoiding unnecessary wars. Everyone expected bold rhetoric but wondered if Trump would back it with action. He did not disappoint.

After fulfilling his ceremonial duties and thanking his supporters, Trump issued a flurry of executive orders. He pardoned more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the events of Jan. 6, 2021, some of whom remained in prison awaiting trial. Many had faced nonviolent charges or had been investigated without actually entering the Capitol. Trump also withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization, which he blamed for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. In another order, he directed the federal government to recognize only two genders and removed diversity, equity, and inclusion policies from relevant agencies.

Rapidly rolling out his agenda would give Democrats less time to recover and limit the ability of sympathetic media outlets to manipulate public opinion.

Immigrants at the southern border discovered that the CBP One app — used by the Biden administration to facilitate an invasion of the United States — had been shut down. News crews filmed migrants in tears after their screening appointments were canceled.

Meanwhile, Trump issued an order freezing federal civilian hiring and designated foreign drug cartels operating in the United States as terrorist organizations. He also imposed a 90-day pause on all foreign aid to reassess those programs. Ideally, they will be eliminated entirely.

Most significant for the nation’s future, Trump signed an order to end the destructive practice of birthright citizenship. Currently, anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically considered a citizen, regardless of their parents’ legal status. But this was never the intention of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified after the Civil War to clarify that freed slaves were, in fact, American citizens.

Under Trump’s new directive, if a child’s parents are in the country illegally or only under temporary status, that child will not be deemed a citizen. The measure aims to end the “anchor baby” phenomenon, in which foreign nationals enter the country on a temporary visa, have a child who becomes a citizen, and then leverage that status to remain in the United States.

This change is crucial because it dramatically affects voting patterns. New immigrants tend to favor Democrats, which is why the left pushes so hard for open borders. Although illegal immigrants cannot vote, their children born on American soil gain citizenship. Democrats were playing the long game, hoping that a large influx of illegal immigrants now would translate into political victories later, when those children came of age and started voting. By restoring what he considers the 14th Amendment’s intended meaning, Trump has blocked this strategy, making it more likely Republicans will prevail in fair elections.

Trump’s day-one blitz of executive orders sends a strong message, but it marks only the beginning. The left remains stunned by his sweeping victory, though its disorientation will not last forever. Progressives tried every tactic — from labeling Trump a Nazi to attempting to bankrupt him, remove him from the ballot, imprison him, and even kill him. All those efforts failed, and the American people returned the billionaire to the White House with a clear mandate. Progressives continue their accusations of racism and fascism, but the energy and power behind those charges have largely evaporated.

Trump must maintain an all-out offensive while his opponents remain weak and demoralized. Although executive orders can make a splash, they can also be undone with the stroke of a pen.

The birthright citizenship question will head to the courts — opponents have already filed a raft of lawsuits — and the administration must be ready to defend its position vigorously. At the same time, achieving lasting change through legislation is critical, though the president will likely battle members of his own party as often as he fights Democrats.

In his first term, Trump encountered constant opposition from personnel within his own executive agencies. Now older and more experienced, the president recognizes the importance of securing Senate confirmation for key appointees to ensure his second administration’s success.

Trump has also pledged to abolish certain government agencies, such as the Department of Education, and to implement major law enforcement steps, including the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Rapidly rolling out this agenda would give Democrats less time to recover and limit the ability of sympathetic media outlets to manipulate public opinion.

Trump made a strong showing on his first day back in the White House. The left remains stunned by the scope of defeat and can only offer modest resistance to his agenda. Unlike his first term, the president now benefits from powerful media allies — such as Elon Musk — and a staff fully attuned to the obstacles he faces. The time for action is now.

If Trump maintains this rapid pace, he is poised to become one of the most influential conservative presidents in American history. But if he hesitates or loses focus, the left will seize the opportunity to revive its flagging movement.