Danial Ahmed Butt, Virginia, USA
After a historic win during the 2024 election cycle, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have officially been sworn in as the President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. The presidential inauguration was held on 20 January, coinciding with the federal holiday of Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day, which commemorates the nation’s civil rights leaders.
President Trump’s speech announced several executive orders he will immediately put into place, and committed to many within a day of the inauguration. The executive orders mainly revolved around immigration, national security, and the economy. Many of these executive orders follow up on Trump’s promises during his presidential campaign. (“Tracking Trump’s executive orders: What he’s signed so far”, www.axios.com)
Much debate has arisen among legal experts and citizens alike as to whether these executive orders will achieve Trump’s goals throughout his presidency. Trump himself proclaimed that these executive orders will reinvigorate the United State’s role as a world superpower, stating that “the Golden Age of America begins right now.” (“Trump Proclaims ‘The Golden Age of America Begins Right Now’”, www.wsj.com, 20 January 2025)
As his second term begins, here are some of the key issues and solutions Trump announced during his inauguration speech and first day in office.
Immigration and the US-Mexico border
When it came to addressing immigration, much of Trump’s rhetoric took a militaristic tone, declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border. Deporting millions of “criminal aliens” has always been one of the hallmarks of Trump’s politics and the new presidential term will be no different.
Following the inauguration, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now no longer restricted from raiding places of worship, schools, and hospitals where undocumented immigrants may be located. The “Remain in Mexico” policy from Trump’s previous term was reinstated where asylum seekers cannot enter the US until they are scheduled to appear before US immigration judges.
Furthermore, troops are to be sent to the border to, as Trump puts it, “repel the disastrous invasion of [the] country.” To be clear, Trump’s border policy is not a far cry from Biden’s, but it is nevertheless intent on making ICE a more powerful agency. (“How Trump’s plans for mass deportations and ICE raids are playing out”, www.nbcnews.com, 21 January 2025)
While Trump said during his inauguration speech that he would end wars and prevent new ones, much concern grew as he also spoke of designating the Mexican cartels as a foreign terrorist organisation. While this executive order is not declaring war, many have been concerned that the United States is effectively setting a precedent for authorising the use of military force in a sovereign nation.
Moreover, designating an enemy group as a terrorist organisation has historically been reserved for those following a political ideology. The Mexican cartels sharply contrast with such enemies in that the cartels are solely driven by profit. (“Trump’s bid to label Mexican cartels ‘foreign terrorists’ poses risks to companies, migrants”, www.reuters.com, 21 January 2025)
Expanding the US territory and economy
The President’s concerns over the region were not limited to Mexico’s land territories, but also the Gulf of Mexico and Panama Canal. For the former, the President has signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The same executive order renamed Mount Denali in Alaska back to its previous legal name of Mount McKinley. (“Trump renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. But is it really that easy?”, www.usatoday.com, 21 January 2025)
Both name changes are symbolic in nature of restorative justice and American expansionism. The same rings true for the President’s plans for the Panama Canal. Trump plans to “take back” the Panama Canal which, unlike Trump’s order regarding Mexican Cartels, has directly involved the threat of military force. (“Trump’s ambition to retake the Panama Canal could have a heavy cost”, www.cnn.com, 21 January 2025)
On multiple occasions, Trump has also expressed his desire to take control of Greenland in the interests of “international security” and although Greenland and Denmark have both rejected the idea, Trump does not seem to be deterred. (“Trump repeat of need to take control of Greenland raises concerns, stirs debate”, www.voanews.com, 21 January 2025)
Moreover, Trump’s inaugural speech called upon the ideal of Manifest Destiny to expand the US territorial reach onto Mars. Manifest Destiny itself is widely debated in the United States’s history as it follows the notion that Americans were destined to expand westward into decolonised lands in the name of civilisation, all at the expense of indigenous peoples living there.
Additionally, Trump announced the establishment of new government agencies such as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the External Revenue Service (ERS). The goals of DOGE and ERS respectively are to curb inflation by reducing government spending and collecting tariffs from foreign nations.
The latter is particularly striking since tariffs are paid by American consumers. Trump announced a 25% tariff rate for Canada and Mexico which will be imposed from 1 February. Like many other policies, this was considered an active threat to the US’s neighbours. Trump also announced plans for a 60% tariff rate on China and a 20% rate on the rest of the world. Many economists warn of a possible trade war and worse inflation rates should Trump’s tariffs backfire. (“Trump threatens 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Feb. 1, punting Day 1 pledge”, www.cnn.com, 21 January 2025)
How should American Muslims react?
For many Americans, Trump’s re-election will undoubtedly be a quintessential change to day-to-day life. While his executive orders have received mixed reactions, many are hopeful that the President will improve peace and security.
No matter the case, the Holy Quran guides us to look past relying on world leaders. The Holy Quran states, “And put thy trust in Allah, and Allah is sufficient as a Guardian.” (Surah al-Ahzab, Ch.33: V.4)
No worldly leader alone can ever hope to safeguard anyone’s interest save by the grace of Allah Almighty. Muslim Americans must pray for our leaders to uphold their duties with justice.
Similarly, we must pray for the peace and security of our fellow Americans and the wider world. We must do our job in taking part in the political process and do our most to keep our leaders accountable. We cannot act out of bias or mere opportunism.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Khalifatul Masih V, is the worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He has stated:
“Islam teaches that a Muslim’s first loyalty must always be to the truth and so a person must never hide the facts or give false testimony. A person should not be governed by his own personal desires, as this leads to bias and prejudice and takes a person away from what is fair and what is right. This enlightened principle is the means to solve the problems of the world and to transform all forms of hatred into peace, tolerance and mutual respect.” (“Muslim leader says justice is a pre-requisite to conflict resolution”, www.pressahmadiyya.com, 25 October 2016)
Ultimately, the outcome of the upcoming Trump administration can depend on our prayers and actions. In due time, we will see whether it will learn from the previous administration or repeat its shortcomings.