If you’ve been watching the news lately, you know the political landscape feels like it’s shifting every five minutes. It’s a lot. People keep asking: what does Donald Trump want to do as president now that he’s back in the Oval Office? Honestly, it’s not just one thing. It’s a massive overhaul of how the federal government functions, from the way we buy health insurance to who gets to stay in the country.
The "Golden Age" he keeps talking about isn’t just a slogan. It’s a specific set of policies often referred to as Agenda 47, and more recently, the implementation of several "Project 2025" blueprints. We're talking about a version of America where the "Deep State" is dismantled, the border is sealed, and energy is so cheap you don't even think about your utility bill.
The Border and the Great Deportation
Basically, the biggest pillar of the current administration is immigration. Trump has made it very clear that he wants to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. This isn't just talk. Since Jan. 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been aggressively ramping up.
We’ve seen a massive surge in hiring for Border Patrol agents—up by about 84% compared to the previous year. The goal? A "deterrence-only" model. This includes:
- Ending "Catch and Release": No more letting people into the interior while they wait for court dates.
- Massive Raids: ICE has been authorized to conduct operations in places previously considered "sensitive," like near schools or courthouses.
- The Alien Enemies Act: He’s using this 1798 law to target cartels like Tren de Aragua, labeling them foreign terrorist organizations to speed up removals.
The human cost is real, though. Net migration actually turned negative in 2025 for the first time since the 1930s. Some economists at places like Brookings argue this is actually hurting the economy because farms and factories can't find enough workers. It’s a huge gamble.
The Great Healthcare Plan of 2026
Just this week—January 15, 2026—the White House dropped a bombshell called the "Great Healthcare Plan." If you’re wondering what does Donald Trump want to do as president regarding your doctor visits, this is the answer.
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It’s a one-page blueprint that sounds simple but would flip the system on its head. Instead of sending billions in subsidies to insurance companies (the way the Affordable Care Act mostly works), Trump wants to send that money directly to you.
"The Great Healthcare Plan will slash prescription drug prices, reduce insurance premiums, and hold big insurance companies accountable." — Official White House Statement, Jan. 2026.
He’s also pushing "Most-Favored-Nation" pricing. That basically means the U.S. refuses to pay more for a drug than what people in other developed countries pay. It’s popular with voters, but big pharma is fighting it tooth and nail in court.
DOGE and the War on Bureaucracy
You’ve probably heard of DOGE by now. No, not the meme—the Department of Government Efficiency. Trump, along with figures like Elon Musk, wants to "drain the swamp" by literally deleting parts of the government.
They’ve already started freezing federal hiring. They want to fire tens of thousands of "rogue" bureaucrats and move federal agencies out of Washington, D.C., to places like Iowa or Texas. The idea is to break the "D.C. bubble."
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Energy and Your Wallet
He wants "Energy Dominance." To Trump, this means:
- Drill, baby, drill: Opening up all federal lands for oil and gas leasing.
- Killing Wind Power: He’s famously not a fan of offshore wind farms, calling them "bird killers" and "natural landscape degraders." He's halted new leases for them.
- The 25% Tariff: This is a big one. He’s slapped heavy taxes on imported vehicles and parts to force companies to build everything in America. It’s supposed to bring back jobs, but critics say it’s just making cars more expensive for the average person.
Education and "Biological Truth"
The Department of Education is on the chopping block. Trump wants to send all that power back to the states. He’s also issued executive orders to define "sex" as a binary biological reality (male and female) at the federal level. This means stripping "gender identity" protections from federal rules.
He’s also been very vocal about "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA). Working with RFK Jr., the administration is looking at banning certain food dyes and chemicals in American snacks that are already banned in Europe. It’s an unusual crossover between conservative populism and health activism.
Foreign Policy: America First, Period
Foreign leaders are still trying to figure him out. Trump’s 2026 stance is strictly non-interventionist. He wants out of the Paris Climate Accord (again) and is skeptical of international tax organizations.
On China, it’s all about the "Kuala Lumpur Joint Arrangement." He recently modified tariffs to get China to buy more American soybeans and logs, while simultaneously trying to block them from getting our high-end semiconductor tech. It’s a "peace through strength" vibe, but it keeps the global markets on edge.
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What This Means for You
So, what does Donald Trump want to do as president in the long run? He’s trying to consolidate executive power. By using "Schedule F," he can turn career civil service jobs into political appointments. This makes it much easier for him to enact his agenda without being blocked by "the system."
If you’re a business owner, you might see fewer regulations but higher costs for imported materials. If you’re a taxpayer, you might see that direct healthcare check he’s promising. But you’re also living in a country that is more polarized than ever.
Actionable Insights for Navigating the 2026 Landscape:
- Watch the Tariffs: If you're planning a big purchase like a car or major appliance, do it sooner rather than later. The 25% "ad valorem" duties on vehicle parts are starting to bake into retail prices.
- Health Insurance Shift: Keep an eye on your ACA (Obamacare) marketplace notices. If the "Great Healthcare Plan" passes Congress, your subsidy might change from a credit to a direct payment model by 2027.
- Federal Jobs: If you work for the government, the move toward in-person work is now mandatory. The White House noted that only 6% of employees were in person during the previous term; that is being forced back to 100%.
- Energy Costs: If you live in a state with high energy production, expect a local economic boom as federal drilling permits are fast-tracked.
The Trump 2026 agenda is about speed. He isn't waiting for consensus; he's using executive orders to move the needle as fast as possible before the midterms hit. Whether you love it or hate it, the federal government is being dismantled and rebuilt in real-time.