So Trump was saved from assassination to save America and I understand a lot of Americans want this to be true. A newly released poll by the Wall Street Journal found that American voters want Trump to implement the policies that he spoke about during his campaign—from immigration to the economy—but there is also some concern that a few of his goals may be too extreme.
Inaugaration Rally with the Village People
The WSJ poll was conducted from Jan. 9-14 and included 1,500 U.S. voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
According to the poll whilst 53% want big changes to government, 60% of Americans disagree with his idea of axing thousands of bureaucrats in favour of filling these roles with his own people.
60% polled also said they are opposed to his idea of cutting the Education Department, which would need congressional approval. Sen. Mike Rounds, South Dakota (R), has already introduced legislation that would abolish the department.
Besides cutting the government workforce, Trump’s idea would give him more power over federal spending, most notably through the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk has said “DOGE” will be able to slice $2 trillion from the country’s $7 billion budget. However, only 18% of those polled want to see Trump have more influence over spending.
Trump has also made illegal immigration a central theme during his campaign and has spoken out about the drain on the economy and safety risk the issue presents to the American people. His solution would be mass deportations. One aide told NBC News that the deportations will start;
the moment that President Trump puts his hand on the Bible and takes the oath of office.
The paper stated there are about 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally. Trump said in an interview with the outlet that his plan would come in phases, starting with the deportation of criminals.
The WSJ poll found that about 75% of those polled think that just criminals should be deported. The report also noted that a good 70% of those polled said they would defend the right of those who have lived in the country for a long time from deportation. 64% said they oppose the move that would end birthright citizenship.
About 48% of voters in the survey said they support Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on imported goods, while 68% expressed concern that tariffs will make products more expensive.
Trump has support from Republicans, but, overall, voters are split on his transition team and his picks for Cabinet positions. Joe Biden limped out of office with a 62% disapproval, which the paper said is the lowest approval rating that it has ever polled for an outgoing president. The poll also found that only 36% of Americans approved of President Biden’s job performance and a measly 12% said they thought he would be fit to serve another four years in office.
Trump said he would pardon those convicted on charges stemming from the riot at the Capitol in 2021, which was opposed by 57% of pollers. The majority also oppose using military force to take Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Plus two thirds don't want Canada to become another state of the US - leaving one third who do.
The article also highlighted how people are sick of seeing Musk with Trump with 50% who told the paper they do not want him influencing policy decisions.
Axing Regulations
Trump is expected to act quickly to end what he sees as burdensome business regulations that he said will help the American economy flourish.
The WSJ reported that consumer groups and various businesses are prepared to take Trump to court over what has been described as a “blizzard” of executive orders that he has on deck dealing with healthcare, immigration, and various environmental issues.
The paper noted that Trump put in place ambitious goals during his government makeover and wants to cut 10 regulations for every new one announced. The paper also said he is expected to move fast to undo some of the last-minute policies that the Biden administration put into place.
His administration will focus on executive orders that take aim at California’s push to force EVs on the public supported by waivers from the federal government and will declare a national emergency on Day One to dismiss Biden’s agenda to push clean energy in favour of an increased amount of domestic oil production.
Trump has done his best to describe the country as a disaster area and, with a strong mandate from the American people—it is his job to carry the day. He’s right that the country is going to hell because of its preoccupation on global hegemony and its struggle to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns that most Americans forget started under his watch when he issued a State of Emergency lockdown on 13 March 2020, “Black Friday.”
While Trump is bragging of his great mandate, by the facts and numbers, his “mandate” is not as strong as he would want you to believe. Trump’s popular vote, which is not a metric needed to win office, was the lowest margin since 1888.
Still I enjoyed watching Trump dance with the Village People at his inauguration rally and it made me feel what a wild ride is ahead of us!