By Hamilton Nwosa
United States President-elect Donald Trump has moved speedily since winning the US presidential election to set the foundations of his second term in the White House.
Here are some five quick takeaways from Trump’s first week as president-elect.
1) Setting Up A team to shape up government
Trump started building his top team almost immediately, nominating cabinet picks for Senate approval and appointing White House advisers and other senior aides. His selections and picks so far make clear that he plans a radical shape up of government.
2) A Friendly Congress To Work With
It is likely Trump will work with a friendly Congress on his side as Republicans have won control of the House as well as the Senate, giving the party a crucial majority in both chambers for at least the next two years, when there will be the usual midterm elections.This is a major boost to Trump’s agenda and by implication, he can have his policy initiatives and bills passed more smoothly.
3) Senate May Stand Up to Trump
There is an indication that the Senate could stand up and block Trump’s choices if they do not sit well with Senate Republicans and Democrats. For instance, Trump’s influence was put to the test earlier this week when Republicans in the Senate picked their new leader and dumped Rick Scott, Trump’s loyalist and likely favorite for that role.
4) Trump’s criminal conviction
While much of the focus was on the US president-elect’s nominations and appointments, some were also wondering what happens to his legal matters.
In New York specifically, his criminal fraud conviction in the hush-money case lives on for at least a few more days. But it could soon be consigned to history. Earlier this week, a judge delayed his decision as to whether Trump’s conviction should be thrown out because of a Supreme Court ruling in the summer that expanded presidential immunity.That decision is now expected to come in the coming week.
5) China firmly in his sights
It is no secret that Trump views the world differently from President Biden and could drastically shift US foreign policy over the next few years. The world therefore watches with keen interest how he would relate with China during his presidency.
Indeed, Trump’s nomination for secretary of state – Marco Rubio, who has described China as the “most advanced adversary America has ever faced”, could be taken as a sign of things to come.
