President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump has unveiled an aggressive policy agenda, pledging immediate actions on transgender rights, immigration, and international relations, including a controversial call to reassert U.S. influence over the Panama Canal.
Speaking at the AmericaFest conference on Sunday, December 22, 2024, Trump outlined his plans to reverse progressive policies and restore what he described as “American greatness.”
Trump promised to sign executive orders on his first day in office to:
Ban transgender individuals from serving in the military; Prohibit transgender-related topics in schools; Block access to gender-affirming care for minors; Enforce rules to keep transgender women out of women’s sports.
“It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” he stated, signaling a sharp turn from the Biden administration’s policies.
The president-elect also vowed to take stronger measures against “migrant crime,” though he provided few specifics during the speech.
Trump raised eyebrows with his remarks on the Panama Canal, criticizing Panama’s fee structures as “ridiculous.” He suggested that if treaty principles from the 1970s are not respected, the U.S. would demand the canal’s return to American control.
“The Panamanians haven’t treated us fairly,” he asserted, adding, “If necessary, we will demand the canal back quickly and without question.”
Trump also pledged to bring peace to Ukraine, end turmoil in the Middle East, and prevent the outbreak of World War III. However, he did not elaborate on how he plans to achieve these ambitious goals.
Declaring that his presidency will mark the start of a “golden age” for America, Trump lambasted the Biden administration for what he called “four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, and national decline.”
While his proposals have energized supporters, critics argue that they could deepen social and political divides, both domestically and internationally. Trump’s ability to implement these policies will depend on congressional dynamics and potential legal challenges as he prepares to assume office in January 2025.
