Stephen Miller, known for his strong stance on immigration, has been appointed deputy chief of staff by Trump. Miller was key in formulating the immigration policies of the Republican administration during Trump’s term from 2017 to 2021. The policies he helped implement include the US-Mexico border wall, travel bans on several Muslim-majority countries, and a controversial policy in 2018 that led to the separation of numerous migrant families at the border.
Trump’s strikingly candid and erratic political approach is what drew over 75 million Americans to him. His broad base of support ranges from tech-savvy individuals and religious groups to blue-collar workers who feel uneasy with today’s ‘woke’ culture. The potential consequences of Trump’s rise to the White House could bring about a seismic shift in the prolonged three-year conflict and throws into doubt Washington’s substantial financial support for Kyiv, vital for its defense.
Late on a Sunday, President-elect Trump unveiled his pick for the US ambassador to the United Nations, Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Trump lauded Stefanik as an ‘incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter’. Stefanik has a conservative reputation and has demonstrated considerable leadership within the GOP, making her a major player in Trump’s Cabinet.
Trump also revealed on a Sunday, that the former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Tom Homan, would reassume his role as ‘Border Czar’ in the new administration. Under his guidance, the largest deportation operation in US history will happen. Trump, victorious in the November 5 election after a divisive campaign, consistently employed harsh rhetoric against undocumented immigrants, portraying them as a threat to American citizens.
Homan, recognized for his hard-line attitude toward border security, will be tasked with the removal of undocumented immigrants, a commitment that Trump has promised to uphold from his first day back in the Oval Office. In addition to these contentious policies, Trump’s reinstated campaign will possibly execute the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to combat migrant gangs in an operation labeled ‘Operation Aurora’.
Trump has, on occasion, inflated statistics around crimes committed by immigrants. However, violence rates have declined during the Biden presidency, contrary to Trump’s assertions. Furthermore, research suggests that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than those born in America.
Ukrainian foreign ministry reports that President-elect Trump has cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin against escalating the Ukraine conflict. Simultaneously, the Kremlin acknowledges Putin’s readiness to discuss Ukraine while sticking to its requirements, which involve Ukraine’s removal from NATO aspirations, something Kyiv declines in preference towards Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’ for Western military backing.
Trump garnered success in Arizona, converting the state back to the Republicans after it was marginally clinched by Biden in 2020. Besides Arizona, Trump achieved significant wins in all seven battleground states—Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina—aligning his Electoral College tally at 312 against Kamala Harris’ 226.
Trump’s triumph indicates robust backing among conservative and blue-collar sections, including a considerable percentage of Hispanic voters in states like Arizona. The Republican party also re-obtained dominion of the Senate, securing 52 seats, with GOP control of the House of Representatives anticipated.
As Trump lays the groundwork for his second term in office, he designates Susie Wiles as his Chief of Staff. Concurrently, he contemplates adding new, noteworthy figures to his lineup, including potential appointments such as Ric Grenell and Marco Rubio for prominent roles.