What to know about Trump’s US government reformation plan

President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious promises to completely remake the US government and wield new power as president have left many Americans wondering what is achievable and what is simply hyperbole. Some of his most-repeated promises on the campaign trail include ending Russia’s war on Ukraine “in 24 hours” and launching a mass deportation effort.

While some of Trump’s promises may seem far-fetched, there is evidence to suggest that he is serious about certain policy changes. For example, Trump has hinted at plans to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, a move that would likely face legal challenges due to the 14th Amendment guaranteeing birthright citizenship.

Trump’s allies, including Russell Vought who served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term, have been actively working on a detailed blueprint for a newly reimagined federal government known as Project 2025. This plan, while not officially endorsed by Trump, shares similarities with some of the president-elect’s proposals for his second term.

One of Trump’s most aggressive promises is the rounding up and deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants. Trump adviser Stephen Miller has suggested that deportations could begin as soon as Trump takes office on January 20, 2025. However, the logistics of such a massive deportation effort remain unclear, with questions about the involvement of the military, National Guard, or local law enforcement agencies.

While there have been discussions among Trump allies and the private sector about detaining and deporting migrants at a large scale, any operation would come with a significant price tag. It is also uncertain how such an effort would impact so-called Dreamers, individuals brought to the US as children who are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

As Trump prepares to take office for a second term, Americans are left to wait and see which of his promises will come to fruition and how they will reshape society. With a divided Congress and a history of contentious immigration policy, the road ahead for Trump’s ambitious plans remains uncertain.