Trump Presidential Victory Promises Big Changes to US Legal Framework

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s reelection Tuesday is likely to have a broad impact on the laws and regulations of the United States as he pushes a conservative agenda that would include expedited deportations, ending much of the Biden administration’s environmental agenda, loosening bank regulations and appointing judges to enforce his policies.

It also is likely to end any further chances of criminal prosecution of the president.

The Dow Jones Industrials average jumped more than 1,300 points on the stock market the first day after the election. At the same time, civil rights advocates are warning against Trump’s prediction as he started his campaign that if he wins the election he would be a “dictator” but only on “Day 1.”

Immigrant rights advocates are asking whether the come-back victory means the civil rights of immigrants will be sidestepped as Trump makes good on his pledge of mass deportations.

Trump has said he would use all available resources to remove illegal immigrants, including the U.S. military and local police. He also said he might withhold federal funds from jurisdictions that resist the effort.

Vice President-elect JD Vance said the policy could result in one million deportations per year.

Another daunting issue is whether Trump will follow through on pledges of revenge against his critics who wanted him prosecuted and fined. He faces criminal charges and lawsuits over allegations of election interference in 2020, mishandling classified government documents and allegations of sexual harassment. 

At various times during his campaign, Trump has pledged revenge against people he described as “the enemy within.”

He has said his critics “should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military.”

A Supreme Court ruling in July that gives him immunity from liability for his “official acts” as president means anyone who stands in his way would have minimal legal recourse against him. 

He even named some of the people who would suffer his wrath. They include Justice Department special prosecutor Jack Smith, former speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Regarding Smith, he said in an interview last month, “I would fire him within two seconds. He’ll be one of the first things addressed.” 

In addition, the Supreme Court ruling means his official acts could include granting himself a pardon from all criminal and civil claims.

Trump already appointed three Supreme Court justices who played crucial roles in overturning Roe v Wade.

He could have an opportunity to cement his conservative supermajority influence in the Supreme Court if two more justices, Clarence Thomas, 76, or Samuel Alito, 74, retire in the next four years.

Other federal judicial appointments await Trump. Forty-seven federal judicial seats are vacant. 

Twenty others are held by judges who recently announced their plans to assume senior status.

A return to his first administration’s environmental policies would mean a quick departure from the Biden administration’s goal of reducing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and making the United States carbon neutral by 2050.

During his first term, Trump appointed administrators to the Environmental Protection Agency who had strong industry ties. They rolled back many emissions regulations on power plants and automobiles.

Trump published a statement on his campaign web site of his environmental policy that said, “Republicans will increase energy production across the board, streamline permitting, and end market-distorting restrictions on oil, natural gas, and coal. We will drill, baby, drill.”

He gave a further explanation of his environmental priorities in his Project 2025, which is a policy agenda for his return to the White House.

It says the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission “should not use environmental issues like climate change as a reason to stop [liquefied natural gas] projects.”

The banking industry is looking forward to a Trump administration that looked kindly on its requests for deregulation.

The Biden administration sought to end some bank fees and require a capitalization rate on lending institutions that would ensure they could cover all their debts without failures. One of the controversial regulations capped credit card late payment fees at $8.

The banking industry said the regulations put such a heavy burden on them that it stifled their growth.

Some of the banking industry oversight is done by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It tries to ensure banks, credit unions and other financial institutions do not abuse their mortgage, credit card and student loan services.

Tough regulations promulgated and enforced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau often led to lawsuits. Trump has traditionally sought a less formal and restrictive strategy to protecting consumers.

Other changes are likely at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the Project 2025 policy goals. The agency protects workers’ rights.

Project 2025 endorses evangelical Christian values in workplace regulation. In one example, employers no longer would be required to avoid discrimination based on job applicants’ sexual orientation or gender identity.

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