Hed: Trump Vows Harsh Measures on Immigration, Narcotics, and Borders in First Day in Oval Office
In a combative speech addressed to a fervent crowd at a conference hosted by ultraconservative nonprofit Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona, President-elect Donald Trump painted a grim picture of the US’ immigration woes, vowing to prioritize border security and crack down on drug cartels on his first day in the Oval Office.
Trump, who is set to assume command of the world’s foremost superpower on January 20, emphasized, "All foreign gang members will be expelled, and I will immediately designate the cartels [of drug trafficking] as foreign terrorist groups. I will do it right away." The former president stated this after speaking of unleashing the full power of federal security forces—including ICE, Border Patrol, the DEA, and intelligence agencies—to deport, dismantle, and destroy illegal migrant criminal networks operating within the United States.
This isn’t the first time the incoming president has used apocalyptic rhetoric to justify his hardline stance against drug trafficking and immigration policies. This time, he mentioned Aurora, a city in Colorado, that he used as an example of the supposed decline of US public safety during President Joe Biden’s tenure. Trump suggested that Aurora was now under the control of the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua.
In addition to his usual bravado, Trump surprised observers by announcing the launch of an awareness campaign against drugs. "They ruin your appearance, damage your skin, and your teeth", he asserted, without providing specific details on the campaign’s scope, cost, or implementation. Although he promised that his administration would spend "a lot of money" on it, he later clarified that this would not be "that much, comparatively."
Trump’s latest declarations echo the atmosphere of the war against drugs launched by President Richard Nixon in the 1970s, which reached its highest point of intensity in the 1980s and 1990s, marked by slogans like Nancy Reagan’s "Just say no."
Trump also voiced his concerns about Mexico, following a recent call with President Claudia Sheinbaum. He praised her as a "wonderful woman" while expressing discontent over the fentanyl issue at the US-Mexico border, which accounted for around 70,000 overdose deaths in 2023. "We’re going to stop it," the president declared. "We will not allow that."
It remains uncertain whether Sheinbaum will alter the ongoing discussion on fentanyl with the United States, as her predecessor had initially denied its production in Mexico. The US has continued insisting that demand reduction is the core of the problem.
Throughout his speech, Trump touched on multiple topics, including the recent near-shutdown of the US Government and the alleged influence of tech mogul Elon Musk on US political affairs. Speaking at a rally-like event, Trump refuted suggestions of stepping down to make way for Musk, emphasizing that the Constitution requires a US-born citizen for presidential candidacy.
Lastly, Trump waded into an otherwise dormant debate: the Panama Canal. Warning against excessive tolls and the possibility of ‘wrong hands’ controlling the crucial infrastructure, he hinted at potential Chinese influence, although China neither controls nor manages the canal.
As the 45th President of the United States prepares for his return to the White House, the nation braces for his bold new initiatives that are set to significantly shape the country’s future.
Worth a look
