President Trump’s America First Priorities
January 20, 2025
Action Summary
- Make America Safe Again:
- Securing the border by ending catch-and-release policies and reinstating Remain in Mexico.
- Constructing a border wall and ending asylum for illegal border crossers.
- Cracking down on criminal sanctuaries and enhancing the vetting/screening of aliens.
- Deploying the Armed Forces and National Guard to support law enforcement at the border.
- Designating dangerous cartels, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations and using the Alien Enemies Act.
- Initiating a deportation operation against criminal aliens and imposing the death penalty for severe crimes against law enforcement and American citizens.
- Suspending refugee resettlement to alleviate community strain on safety and resources.
- Make America Affordable and Energy Dominant Again:
- Ending Biden’s climate policies and streamlining permitting for energy production.
- Reviewing and rescinding regulations that burden energy production and non-fuel mineral processing.
- Declaring an energy emergency to build critical infrastructure and empower consumer choice in everyday products.
- Ending leases for large wind farms and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord.
- Implementing emergency measures to reduce the cost of living and introducing the America First Trade Policy to reclaim national tax policy autonomy.
- Drain the Swamp:
- Reforming government bureaucracy by freezing most hiring, pausing new radical regulations, and rescinding burdensome orders.
- Enhancing accountability among federal workers and requiring full compliance with document retention laws.
- Ending the weaponization of government against political rivals and unconstitutional censorship practices.
- Shifting to an America First foreign policy under State Department direction and promoting a return to in-person federal work.
- Bring Back American Values:
- Affirming biological definitions by establishing male and female as biological realities and protecting women from radical gender ideologies.
- Renaming American landmarks to appropriately honor the nation’s history.
Risks & Considerations
- The emphasis on border security and immigration policies could impact Vanderbilt University’s international student population and research collaborations with foreign institutions. Changes in visa policies and refugee resettlement could affect the university’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
- Energy policy shifts, including withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and changes in regulations, may influence Vanderbilt’s sustainability initiatives and research funding related to climate change and renewable energy.
- The focus on reducing government bureaucracy and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives could affect federal funding and partnerships that support diversity programs at Vanderbilt.
- Changes in trade policy and energy independence could impact economic conditions, potentially affecting university endowments and funding for research projects.
- The potential for increased government scrutiny and accountability measures may require Vanderbilt to review its compliance and regulatory practices, particularly in areas related to federal funding and research grants.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services may need to adapt to changes in immigration policies, ensuring support for international students and faculty.
- The School of Engineering and Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment could see shifts in research priorities and funding opportunities related to energy policy changes.
- Vanderbilt’s Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion might face challenges in maintaining and expanding DEI initiatives in light of potential federal policy changes.
- The Office of Federal Relations will need to closely monitor and engage with policy changes to protect Vanderbilt’s interests in federal funding and research collaborations.
Financial Impact
- Changes in energy policy and trade agreements could affect the broader economic environment, influencing Vanderbilt’s investment strategies and endowment performance.
- Potential reductions in federal funding for DEI and climate-related initiatives may require Vanderbilt to seek alternative funding sources to sustain these programs.
- Increased regulatory scrutiny and compliance requirements could lead to additional administrative costs for the university.
- Vanderbilt may need to invest in legal and policy expertise to navigate the evolving political landscape and ensure compliance with new federal directives.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive actions present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and policies at Vanderbilt University.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor changes in immigration and border security policies, as these could impact international students and faculty. Understanding these changes will be crucial for maintaining compliance and supporting affected individuals.
- Vanderbilt’s Energy and Environmental Research Division should evaluate the potential impacts of changes in energy policies, particularly those related to renewable energy and climate agreements. This could affect research funding and partnerships in these areas.
- Vanderbilt’s Human Resources Department should prepare for potential changes in federal employment policies, including hiring freezes and changes in DEI initiatives. This may require adjustments in recruitment and retention strategies.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal and Compliance Office should review the implications of changes in government censorship and document retention policies. Ensuring compliance with new regulations will be essential to avoid legal challenges.
- Vanderbilt’s Gender Studies Program should assess the impact of policies related to gender ideology and biological definitions. This may influence curriculum development and research focus areas.
Opportunities
- The focus on energy independence presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Engineering School to expand research in energy technologies and infrastructure. Collaborating with industry partners could enhance innovation and funding opportunities.
- The emphasis on American values and historical landmarks offers Vanderbilt’s History Department a chance to engage in public discourse and research on national identity and historical preservation.
- Changes in trade policy could provide Vanderbilt’s Business School with opportunities to study and influence new trade dynamics, potentially leading to partnerships with businesses adapting to these changes.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders suggest significant changes in immigration, energy, and federal employment policies, requiring major adjustments for Vanderbilt’s operations and strategic planning.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – No explicit deadlines or specific timelines are mentioned in the document; the directives are presented as priorities without defined implementation periods.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Justice: Tasked with enforcing new immigration and criminal penalties, including seeking the death penalty for certain crimes, as directed by the President’s statement.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Although not explicitly named, DHS is inherently impacted by directives concerning border security, the suspension of refugee resettlement, and changes to asylum policies.
- Department of Defense / Armed Forces (including the National Guard): The President orders the deployment of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, to border areas, integrating military support into border security operations.
- State Department: Directed to adopt an America First foreign policy, it plays a key role in executing the President’s international initiatives such as the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord.
Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3 and 5 distinct agencies are explicitly affected by the directives.)
Responsible Officials
- Armed Forces (including the National Guard) – Tasked with border security operations to assist law enforcement.
- Department of Justice – Directed to pursue severe penalties, including seeking the death penalty, for crimes against national security and law enforcement.
- State Department – Responsible for shifting to an America-First foreign policy as directed by the President.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives involve Cabinet-level officials and agency heads in critical national security, law enforcement, and foreign policy areas.)