As Donald Trump takes to the campaign trail, he is touting his plans for mass deportations and pardons for those involved in the January 6th, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Surprisingly, these ideas are being met with minimal resistance and even some support from a fresh wave of Republicans in Congress.
Instead of disregarding them as mere campaign rhetoric or a way for Trump to rally his loyal supporters, his words are now being embraced as party policies. These policies have the potential to quickly transition from mere rhetoric to actual actions, especially with a future administration in the White House and support from influential figures on Capitol Hill.
Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio, a prominent supporter of Trump, stated that there will be a need to deport certain individuals. This statement was made just days after Vance campaigned alongside Trump in his home state.
The Republican Party in Congress is undergoing a significant political realignment towards Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, while Democratic President Joe Biden and his allies express concerns about Trump’s proposed agenda for a second term. Trump himself had promised to be a “dictator” but only on Day one.
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who had occasional clashes with Trump, especially over the Capitol riot, is getting ready to step down from his leadership position at the end of the year. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is constantly facing threats of being ousted.
According to Greene, who has recently filed a motion to potentially remove Johnson from the speakership, it is premature to discuss a policy agenda for a second term or speculate on who will be appointed to West Wing positions.
In Washington, a group of former officials from the Trump White House is actively working on policy papers, drafting executive actions, and preparing legislation to bring President Trump’s ideas to life. These efforts are being undertaken independently of the Trump campaign, with senior campaign leaders emphasizing that outside groups do not speak on their behalf. However, it is worth noting that many leaders of these groups would likely be considered for positions in a potential future Trump administration.
“If Trump is re-elected, we will be fully prepared with a comprehensive plan and a highly skilled team,” stated Paul Dans, a former official in the Trump administration and current leader of the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. The project is currently focused on gathering thousands of resumes and providing training to potential staff members, in anticipation of a second term for President Trump.”
Karoline Leavitt, the national press secretary for the campaign, expressed confidence in President Trump’s ability to lead as he begins his new administration. She stated, “Americans will have a strong leader on Day 1.”
During the first Trump administration, there were instances where Congress pushed back against certain proposals put forth by the President. In some cases, Republicans teamed up with Democrats to bring these proposals to a halt.
After the Capitol was stormed by Trump supporters in an attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat to Biden, Trump faced impeachment for inciting the insurrection. Ten Republicans in the House voted in favor of impeachment, while seven Republican senators voted to convict him. Several of these lawmakers have since left Congress, including Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who is set to retire at the end of his term. If the Senate had convicted Trump, it would have had the power to prevent him from holding any federal office in the future.
Fewer lawmakers in Congress are now willing or able to stand up to Trump or publicly oppose his agenda. Trump has effectively taken control of the party apparatus, including the Republican National Committee, as his own.
According to Jason Chaffetz, a former GOP representative who has close ties to Trump allies both on and off Capitol Hill, he believes that those individuals have all been thoroughly investigated and scrutinized.
Trump continues to persistently claim that the 2020 election was fraudulently stolen from him. He has even gone as far as asserting that he should be exempt from a federal indictment consisting of four charges, accusing him of defrauding the American people through his relentless attempts to overturn the election results. In his 2024 campaign, he has made January 6th a crucial focal point and frequently refers to those individuals currently incarcerated for their involvement in the attack as “hostages.”
GOP Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri, a prominent figure in the movement to contest the certification of electors on January 6th, has expressed his disagreement with the concept of granting a “blanket pardon” to those who have been convicted in connection with the riot. It should be noted that approximately 1,300 individuals have been charged in relation to the incident.
According to him, he is closely monitoring the forthcoming Supreme Court case that challenges the idea of rioters impeding an official proceeding. This case has the potential to cast doubt on numerous cases, including certain charges against Trump.
Hawley expressed his opinion by stating, “Let’s wait and see what the Supreme Court has to say about that.”
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, was previously a vocal critic of former President Trump, particularly during their intense rivalry in the 2016 campaign. Cruz firmly believes that those who participated in the violent acts at the Capitol on January 6th should face prosecution. However, despite his involvement in challenging the results of the 2020 election on that day, Cruz has expressed openness to considering pardons for individuals involved in other aspects of the events.
According to him, one of the most disheartening repercussions of the Biden administration is the alleged exploitation of the Justice Department as a means to “target” and “harass” numerous individuals who participated in “peaceful demonstrations.”
Trump has consistently promised to initiate the biggest domestic deportation operation in American history as a key element of his 2024 campaign. This commitment revives the discussions surrounding immigration and border security, which played a significant role in defining his presidency.
He cites the Eisenhower-era roundup of immigrants as a blueprint, which surpasses his travel ban on migrants from predominantly Muslim countries in 2017 or the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican Senator from Florida, has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of immigration matters, notably for his involvement in the 2013 legislation. This bill aimed to offer a ten-year route to citizenship for undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. Despite its ultimate failure to pass into law, Rubio’s role as a leading advocate on immigration issues has garnered attention and recognition.
According to Rubio, as migrant crossings continue to reach record levels under Biden’s administration, he believes that some action must be taken, whether it involves deporting individuals through pending hearings or through expedited processes.
“It won’t be a walk in the park, but we can’t ignore the fact that we need to address the growing population of immigrants,” he expressed.
Vance emphasized the importance of considering the deportation of individuals who entered the country illegally, stating, “I think you have to be open to deporting anyone who came to the country illegally.”
Vanessa Cardenas, the current head of the advocacy organization America’s Voice and a former Biden campaign official, expressed her concern about the possibility of Trump allies gaining a deeper understanding of how to navigate the inner workings of the government if he were to be re-elected for a second term.
“I am concerned that there seems to be a tendency to forget just how harsh his policies were,” she expressed, highlighting the anxiety within migrant communities. “Our acceptance of his rhetoric and ideologies continues to grow.”
