Immigration, inflation, crime and taxes: 2024 GOP policy platform broken down
The Republican Party released its 2024 policy platform last week ahead of its four-day convention in Milwaukee, vowing to undertake major tasks such as "PREVENT WORLD WAR THREE" and "RESTORE PEACE IN EUROPE AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST."
The platform also includes promises regarding migration, inflation, crime and tax cuts.
Addressed "To the Forgotten Men and Women of America," the 20-point policy platform is inundated with Trump-laden rhetoric and written entirely in all caps, a style seemingly intended to mimic former president's tweets and texts.
When is the 2024 RNC? Full week schedule, dates, times, where to watch and livestream
GOP criticizes today's "SERIOUS DECLINE" of America
Ahead of its lengthy list of priorities, the GOP highlighted the United States' victories over "Nazism and Fascism" and "Soviet Communism" before criticizing what it describes now as the nation's "SERIOUS DECLINE."
"Our future, our identity, and our very way of life are under threat like never before," the GOP stated. "Today, we must once again call upon the same American Spirit that led us to prevail through every challenge of the past if we are going to lead our Nation to a brighter future."
The GOP criticized past politicians for undermining American livelihoods, arguing that these leaders insulated themselves from criticism and have ultimately led to border issues, a politicized justice system, a generation of disillusioned youth and crime-ridden cities. Although, data from the FBI shows crime rates have overall declined since the late 1990s, including a sharp decrease in violent crime rates from 1993 to 2022, despite an uptick during the pandemic. While there there was a 29% estimated increase in murders in 2020, and another 4.3% increase in 2021, crime was still well below levels from a few decades ago.
In contrast, the party praised Trump as an "unapologetic Champion of the American People," stating, "He reignited the American Spirit and called on us to renew our National Pride. His policies spurred historic economic growth, job creation, and a resurgence of American manufacturing. President Trump and the Republican Party helped America overcome the pessimism of decades of failed leadership, demonstrating that the American people want greatness for our country once again."
Now, after nearly four years of the President Joe Biden administration, the GOP alleges a crisis in the U.S. with "raging inflation, open borders, rampant crime, attacks on our children, and global conflict, chaos, and instability."
These are some of the key issues in the GOP's 20-point policy platform. Here's the entire list.
Border control and immigration policy
Closing borders has long been a key priority for the GOP and for Trump since his 2016 presidential campaign. One-fourth of the GOP's key points are related to immigration, border control and deportation. According to the document, the Republican Party would "Begin Largest Deportation Program in American History."
The text specifically addressed the following priorities:
"SEAL THE BORDER, AND STOP THE MIGRANT INVASION"
"CARRY OUT THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY"
"STOP THE MIGRANT CRIME EPIDEMIC, DEMOLISH THE FOREIGN DRUG CARTELS, CRUSH GANGVIOLENCE, AND LOCK UP VIOLENT OFFENDERS"
"DEPORT PRO-HAMAS RADICALS AND MAKE OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES SAFE AND PATRIOTIC AGAIN"
In the newly released documents, Republicans wrote their plan to strengthen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and increase penalties for illegal entry and overstaying visas. The platform also confirmed the reinstatement of the "Remain in Mexico" initiative, along with similar policies that the party claims reduced "illegal immigration to historic lows" during the Trump administration.
As part of this effort, the administration would also reinstate travel bans and invoke the "Alien Enemies Act," which would "remove all known or suspected gang members, drug dealers, or cartel members from the United States, ending the scourge of illegal alien gang violence once and for all."
The platform also addresses sanctuary cities, stating that Republicans will cut federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions that "release dangerous illegal Alien criminals onto our streets."
In addition to its priorities of removing and penalizing undocumented immigrants and "pro-Hamas radicals," the Republicans included child sex trafficking under the party's border and immigration policy, stating they would use Title 42 to end the child trafficking crisis and return all trafficked children to their families in their home countries.
Military operations and ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East
The Republican Party promises an ambitious goal of ending ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and circumvent a third World War. Here's the text with those priorities:
"PREVENT WORLD WAR THREE, RESTORE PEACE IN EUROPE AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND BUILD AGREAT IRON DOME MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD OVER OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY -- ALL MADE IN AMERICA"
"STRENGTHEN AND MODERNIZE OUR MILITARY, MAKING IT, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE STRONGESTAND MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD"
The party provided few details on how it plans to strengthen the military, aside from investing in "cutting-edge research and advanced technologies," including an Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield. The platform also mentions increasing pay for U.S. troops and states that the administration would "get woke Leftwing Democrats fired as soon as possible."
Republicans said they also aim to strengthen alliances by ensuring allies meet their obligations to invest in common defense and by restoring peace to Europe, according to the platform.
"We will stand with Israel, and seek peace in the Middle East. We will rebuild our Alliance Network in the Region to ensure a future of Peace, Stability, and Prosperity," the platform stated. "Likewise, we will champion Strong, Sovereign, and Independent Nations in the Indo-Pacific, thriving in Peace and Commerce with others."
The American economy and industry
Across two chapters — titled "BUILD THE GREATEST ECONOMY IN HISTORY" and "BRING BACK THE AMERICAN DREAM AND MAKE IT AFFORDABLE AGAIN FOR FAMILIES, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND EVERYONE" — the Republican Party highlights the need to protect federal programs, implement tax cuts and end inflation.
The priorities in the 2024 Republican policy platform are written as follows:
"FIGHT FOR AND PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WITH NO CUTS, INCLUDING NO CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT AGE"
"LARGE TAX CUTS FOR WORKERS, AND NO TAX ON TIPS!"
"END INFLATION, AND MAKE AMERICA AFFORDABLE AGAIN"
"MAKE AMERICA THE DOMINANT ENERGY PRODUCER IN THE WORLD, BY FAR!"
"STOP OUTSOURCING, AND TURN THE UNITED STATES INTO A MANUFACTURING SUPERPOWER"
"KEEP THE U.S. DOLLAR AS THE WORLD’S RESERVE CURRENCY"
According to the document, the Republican party would accomplish these goals through five pillars: slashing regulations, cutting taxes, securing fair trade deals, ensuring reliable and abundant low cost energy and championing innovation, including cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and the space industry.
As part of the border and immigration chapters, the Republican Party also said it would ensure "our legal immigration system puts American workers first."
The platform also asserted the GOP's commitment to "reducing housing, education and healthcare costs, while lowering everyday expenses, and increasing opportunities." The platform did not describe how it would achieve these efforts.
Other key points
"DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR BILL OF RIGHTS, AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS,INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEARARMS"
"END THE WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE"
"REBUILD OUR CITIES, INCLUDING WASHINGTON DC, MAKING THEM SAFE, CLEAN, AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN"
"CANCEL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE AND CUT COSTLY AND BURDENSOME REGULATIONS"
"CUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDERIDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPROPRIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN"
"KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS"
"SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SAME DAY VOTING, VOTER IDENTIFICATION, PAPER BALLOTS, AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP"
"UNITE OUR COUNTRY BY BRINGING IT TO NEW AND RECORD LEVELS OF SUCCESS"
Policy still skates abortion issue
The platform remains vague on abortion policy, as Trump continues to sidestep the issue that could be crucial for swing or undecided voters.
The proposed platform mirrors Trump's campaign statements: states should decide the issue on their own terms.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 2024 Republican policy platform explainer in simple terms