Donald Trump is preparing to issue executive orders the moment he is sworn in as the new President of the US today. He intends to move fast on his election campaign promise to begin cracking down on immigration, roll back many of the policies of outgoing President, Barack Obama, and to build a wall on the border between Mexico and the US.
Trump used a military plane to get to Washington yesterday. He is set to use the presidential pen, one of the most powerful instruments at his disposal after taking office, to put executive actions in place that do not need approval by Congress. Trump spokesman, Sean Spicer, says Trump intends to begin implementing an agenda of genuine change immediately, and that there will be a lot happening in the days following the inauguration.
Trump’s political advisers have vetted over 200 executive orders, which he could begin to enact. These include immigration, energy, climate change, and healthcare. It is uncertain how many of these orders Trump intends to approve straight away, according to one of the transition team.
Other Presidents, including Barack Obama, have used this tactic in their first weeks in the White House. Issuing executive orders will allow Trump to begin fulfilling promises to his supporters before he must engage with the often-lumbering process of gaining Congressional approval for some bills. Limiting the entry of immigrant refugees from Latin America is expected to be one of the Trump’s first moves.