Four Things We Learned from Donald Trump’s First Week as President-Elect

Donald Trump has wasted no time setting the stage for his second term as president after winning the election. In just one week, he has made bold moves, giving a clear idea of his priorities and leaving Washington and the world surprised.

Building a Team to Shake Things Up

Donald Trump quickly started picking people for key government roles, nominating cabinet members and appointing top advisors. His choices show he’s planning big changes, favoring people who are loyal to him and share his vision, even if they don’t have traditional experience.

For example, his defense secretary pick wants to remove military leaders who support what he calls “woke” policies. Trump’s choice for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., plans to fight corruption in health agencies and possibly shut down parts of the FDA.

Donald Trump also wants to create a new department led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to cut regulations and save money. His team is clearly focused on loyalty and making major changes in government.

Republican Congress Makes Things Easier

With Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, Trump has a major advantage. This majority will help him pass laws more easily and push his key plans, like mass deportations, tariffs on imports, and cutting environmental rules.

The Democrats, meanwhile, have less power to block his ideas. Having a friendly Congress also means Trump is less likely to face the kind of investigations he dealt with in the past.

However, not everything will go smoothly. Differences within the Republican Party could still create challenges.

Some Republicans Aren’t Fully Onboard

Trump’s influence faced a small test this week when Senate Republicans chose their new leader. Some of his allies wanted Rick Scott, a strong Trump supporter, to get the role, but the party chose John Thune, who has had a more complicated relationship with Trump.

This shows that not all Republicans are fully behind him, especially when it comes to controversial decisions. For instance, some senators are already questioning his choice of Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

These disagreements could make it harder for Trump to get some of his cabinet picks approved.

Legal Troubles May Soon End

Trump’s legal issues are still a factor, but they could soon be resolved. In New York, his criminal fraud conviction from the hush-money case is still in play. A judge is expected to decide soon whether to dismiss the case, thanks to a recent Supreme Court ruling that expands protections for presidents.

While it’s unclear if the conviction will be thrown out, Trump’s sentencing, originally set for November 26, will likely be delayed. His election win has put him in a stronger position to deal with these challenges.

In just one week, Trump has shown he’s ready to shake up the government, with a loyal team, support from Congress, and possibly fewer legal issues to worry about. As he prepares for his second term, big changes are on the horizon, and the road ahead is sure to be eventful.