The commencement of President Donald Trump’s second term on January 20, 2025, is marked by a renewed focus on his promise to create stricter immigration laws and revamp the energy sector. The public is likely to favor some of his initiatives, particularly those related to bolstering border security between the U.S. and Mexico which is considered at least a moderate priority by a majority of Americans, with about half of them considering it a high priority.
However, there are some pledges made by Trump which may not receive universal acclaim. These include the withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, the expansion of oil drilling on federal lands, and the cessation of birthright citizenship. Each of these topics carries its own set of public opinions as Trump navigates through implementing his proposed policies.
Incoming White House officials hinted at forthcoming executive orders on Monday. These orders are projected to end asylum provisions, position troops along the U.S.-Mexico border, and eradicate birthright citizenship. These measures reflect the beginning of Trump’s new term agenda.
A poll conducted in January suggested that selective expulsion of immigrants, given that they have criminal records, is well accepted, even if it concerns legally residing immigrants. Yet, such support does not stretch to encompass mass deportations. By large, U.S. citizens show favorability toward deporting immigrants living illegally in the U.S. who are guilty of committing violent crimes – with about 7 in 10 supporting similar actions against legal immigrants convicted of such crimes.
However, the suggestion of deporting immigrants residing illegally in the U.S. without any criminal charges stands as a divisive proposal. The U.S. citizen are divided, with a slight lean toward opposition. Statistics show that merely 4 in 10 U.S. adults support such a policy.
An intricate legal struggle lies ahead for Trump if he intends to revoke birthright citizenship, a venture that is not widely embraced by the American public. Only around 3 out of 10 Americans support the modification of the Constitution to strip the automatic citizenship right from children born in the U.S. to parents illegally residing in the country. It’s worth pointing out that this proposal is a point of partisan argument, with approximately half of Republicans endorsing this change compared to a minor segment of Democrats.
In line with early announcements, the new White House administration indicated that the U.S. will once again pull away from the Paris climate accord aimed at controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly half of Americans express either mild or strong opposition to this decision. This includes Republican voters who do not present an overwhelmingly supportive stance.
While only about 20% of U.S. adults show either moderate or strong support for the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, nearly a quarter remain neutral about this international issue. The main resistance hails from the Democratic side, though Republicans show a marked ambivalence as well. Less than half of the Republicans support the withdrawal, and roughly 20% oppose it.
The planned abolition of Biden administration policies promoting the purchase of electric vehicles by American consumers is another ambitious endeavor announced by Trump. According to recent polling data, a majority of U.S. adults, approximately 6 in 10, are against regulations that would require at least 50% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2032 to be electric. This policy appears particularly unpopular among Republican voters, with around 80% expressing opposition.
With an aim to create an American ‘energy dominance’, President Trump intends to sign orders to curb regulation for oil and natural gas production, and promises to escalate oil and gas drilling, including on federal lands. However, American citizens are not entirely convinced by this strategy. An AP-NORC poll revealed that only about a third of Americans slightly or strongly favor enhancing oil drilling on federally owned lands, while close to 40% are against it.
The concept of increasing oil drilling finds widespread approval among Republicans while it is not well-received by Democrats or independents. The 2024 presidential election brought this into focus, with data showing only about 4 in 10 voters advocating for an energy policy prioritizing the expansion of fossil fuel production. In contrast, a majority, or 55%, favored a greater emphasis on the development of alternative energy resources like solar and wind.
The political divide on the issue of energy is evident. Republican voters show a significantly higher preference towards expanding production of fossil fuels, with about 70% supporting this approach. On the other hand, only 15% of Democratic voters share the same viewpoint, further demonstrating the clear partisan divide on energy and environmental issues.
Overall, as Donald Trump begins his second term, a series of divisive issues await him, ridden with differing opinions even within the same party. Whether it’s immigration, energy, or environmental policies, each comes with its unique challenges and distinct public sentiment. As the country moves forward, the resolution of these issues will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the nation over the coming years.