Just moments after President Donald Trump took the oath of office today, the official White House website was transformed into a set of policy pledges that offered the broad contours of the Trump administration's top priorities -- a list that included fierce support for law enforcement bordering on vigilantism, an
Moments after taking the oath, Donald Trump transforms White House website
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Similarly, the climate change web page that existed under Obama was immediately scrubbed, with no mention of climate change under Trump's energy plan.
Instead, he vowed to eliminate "harmful and unnecessary policies" such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the United States rule. The first represents a variety of efforts President Obama pursued to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions while the second is a rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to protect not only the largest waterways but smaller tributaries that others believe should fall under the jurisdiction of states rather than the federal government.
The Trump website also does not devote a separate section to immigration, another central tenant of his candidacy, though it mentioned immigration under the law enforcement section. Despite rumours among the immigration advocacy community that one of Trump's initial executive actions could be to revoke Obama's protections for the so-called Dreamers, those undocumented immigrants brought to the country as young children, his website so far focuses only on big-picture enforcement and security goals.
"He is dedicated to enforcing our border laws, ending sanctuary cities, and stemming the tide of lawlessness associated with illegal immigration," reads part o the immigration section.
The new administration's language echoes Trump's tough rhetoric on the campaign trail, including his promises to strengthen the law enforcement community, crack down on he views as a broad range of trade violations, and potentially forge alliances with countries long considered dangerous rivals, like Russia.
"Finally, in pursuing a foreign policy based on American interests, we will embrace diplomacy," reads part of Trump's policy vision. "The world must know that we do not go abroad in search of enemies, that we are always happy when old enemies become friends, and when old friends become allies."