Seven Trump promises: What to expect in 2025

Donald Trump, who has pledged to take action on topics including immigration, the economy, and the conflict in Ukraine, is expected to return to the White House.

Donald Trump.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

He appears to have plenty of support in Congress for his political agenda now that his Republican Party has retaken control of the Senate.

Trump vowed to "govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept" in his victory address. We are going to honor our commitments.

In several situations, however, he has provided little clarity about how he intends to achieve his goals.

When asked by Fox News in 2023 if he would misuse his position or target political opponents, he said no, "except for day one".

"Except for the first day. We're sealing the border and drilling away. "After that, I am not a dictator."

1. Deport unauthorized immigrants

While campaigning, Trump vowed the largest mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants in US history.

He also promised to finish the wall built along the Mexican border that began during his previous term.

The number of crossings along the US southern border reached a new high at the end of last year during the Biden-Harris administration, before declining in 2024.

Experts informed the BBC that deportations on the scale proposed by Trump would pose significant legal and logistical hurdles, potentially slowing economic development.

2. Act on the economy, taxes, and tariffs

Exit poll results indicated that the economy was a major concern for voters. Trump has pledged to "end inflation," which reached high levels under President Joe Biden before dropping again. But a president's ability to directly control prices is limited.

He has also pledged significant tax cuts, extending his makeover beyond 2017. He has advocated making gratuities tax-free, eliminating social security taxes, and lowering corporate taxes.

He has recommended increased taxes of at least 10% on most imported items to reduce the trade gap. Imports from China might face an extra 60% duty, he claimed. Some analysts have cautioned that such changes might raise prices for regular consumers.

3. Limit climate restrictions

During his first term, Trump repealed hundreds of environmental laws and made America the first country to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.

This time, he has committed to reduce restrictions, notably to benefit the American auto sector. He has repeatedly opposed electric vehicles, pledging to reverse Biden's objectives for supporting the transition to greener automobiles.

He has promised to improve US fossil fuel output, promising to "drill, drill, drill" from the start in favor of alternative energy sources like wind power.

He wants to open up places such as the Arctic wilderness to oil drilling, which he claims would reduce energy costs - but economists are skeptical.

4. Bring an end to the Ukraine war

Trump has criticized the US for spending tens of billions of dollars to defend Ukraine in its war with Russia, and has promised to end the crisis "within 24 hours" through a negotiated agreement.

He has not stated what he believes either side should give up. Democrats claim the action would strengthen President Vladimir Putin.

Trump wants the United States to distance itself from international wars in general. Regarding the Gaza war, Trump has positioned himself as a firm backer of Israel while also urging the American ally to cease its operations.

He has also pledge to put a stop to the bloodshed in Lebanon, but has not specified how.

5. No prohibition on abortion

Despite the aspirations of some of his fans, Trump stated during the presidential debate with Kamala Harris that he would not enact a countrywide abortion ban.

In 2022, the Supreme Court, which had a majority of conservative judges after Trump's first term, removed the nationwide constitutional right to abortion.

Reproductive rights became a prominent campaign issue for Harris, and numerous states passed legislation to safeguard or extend abortion rights on election day.

Trump has often stated that states should be allowed to pass their own abortion laws, but he has failed to establish a clear message of his own.

6. Pardon some January 6 rioters

Trump confirmed that he will "free" some of those convicted of crimes committed during the riot in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, when his supporters attacked the Capitol building in an attempt to prevent Joe Biden from winning the 2020 presidential election.

Several deaths were linked to the violence, which Trump was accused of instigating.

He has sought to minimize the riot's impact and recast the hundreds of supporters who were condemned as political prisoners.

He continues to claim that many of them are "wrongfully imprisoned," but admits that "a couple of them, probably, got out of control."

7. Dismiss Special Counsel Jack Smith

Trump has vowed to fire the senior prosecutor in charge of two criminal investigations into him "within two seconds" after assuming office.

Special Counsel Jack Smith has accused Trump for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election and misusing secret data.

Trump disputes any wrongdoing and was able to avoid either case going to trial before the election. He accuses Mr Smith of conducting a "political witch hunt" against him.

Trump will become the first president to return to the White House after being convicted in New York of falsifying corporate records.