Trump Returns to Office, Promises Tough Immigration Policies and Ban on Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

By Okafor Joseph Afam – January 20, 2025
United States President Donald Trump is set to officially return to the White House on Monday, ushering in a new era of governance with bold promises aimed at addressing immigration, military policies, and social issues.
At a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Trump electrified the crowd with his declaration: “By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the invasion of our country will have come to a halt.” The packed arena erupted in cheers as he outlined plans for what he called “the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.”
“This is the greatest political movement in American history,” Trump proclaimed, reflecting on his recent electoral triumph. “Starting tomorrow, I will act with historic speed and strength to fix every single crisis facing our country.”
A Swift Agenda
The rally, which served as a precursor to his inauguration, highlighted Trump’s ambitious plans to execute more than 200 executive actions in his first days in office. Among the priorities he outlined were repealing key executive orders from the Biden administration, declaring a state of emergency at the southern border, and reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers.
He also vowed to address what he called “radical woke ideologies” infiltrating the U.S. military and promised the construction of a missile defense shield. In a surprise move, he announced plans to declassify documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Controversial Social Policies
Trump doubled down on his campaign pledge to combat what he termed the “erasure of women’s sports,” promising to introduce a ban on transgender athletes competing in women’s categories. “We will keep men out of women’s sports. Period,” he declared, to the applause of supporters.
The transgender issue has become a polarizing topic in recent years, with many Republican lawmakers rallying against gender-affirming care and transgender participation in sports. Trump’s stance aligns with his broader promises to counter progressive social policies, which he labeled as “dangerous woke ideologies.”
A Packed Schedule
Ahead of the inauguration, Trump paid tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and hosted a breakfast meeting with Republican senators. His return to power has ignited enthusiasm among his base, many of whom braved cold rain to attend the rally.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Val Tordjman, 58, who camped outside the arena overnight.
The event also drew unexpected attendees, including TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. Trump credited his intervention for halting a U.S. ban on the platform, announcing plans to collaborate with bidders to preserve TikTok’s operations in the country.
Biden’s Final Day
Meanwhile, outgoing President Joe Biden spent his last day in office commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Charleston, South Carolina. As Trump prepares to take the oath of office indoors under tight security with 25,000 law enforcement officers, his supporters anticipate a presidency marked by aggressive action and sweeping reforms.
Trump’s promises to transform U.S. policy signal a turbulent yet pivotal chapter in American politics, one that will undoubtedly shape the nation’s trajectory in the years to come.