Readers of The Epoch Times have identified border security, fiscal responsibility, and national defense as the top priorities for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
A poll of 26,740 readers, conducted between Jan. 10–13, points to these issues as key areas of focus, reflecting widespread concern over unchecked immigration, economic instability, and global security threats.
Meanwhile, write-in responses by readers of The Epoch Times highlighted strong support for government reform, coupled with opposition to progressive policies such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Border security and deportations topped the list, with 90 percent of respondents considering it “extremely important.” This aligns with Trump’s campaign pledge to launch what he has described as the largest deportation operation in American history, set to begin immediately after his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Fiscal Discipline and Economic Stability
Government spending and debt reduction ranked as the second-highest priority, with 82 percent of respondents highlighting the need for fiscal discipline.Concerns over the ballooning national debt—now at $36.22 trillion—is a key concern. The president-elect has said he intends to address these issues through measures such as cutting wasteful spending and reforming federal agencies.
To spearhead these efforts, Trump has proposed the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy tapped to lead the initiative. DOGE aims to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget.
“Your money is being wasted,” Musk said at a Trump rally in New York in October 2024, underscoring Trump’s commitment to tackle government inefficiency and cut wasteful spending.
So far in fiscal year 2025, which runs until the end of September, the government has already spent $1.79 trillion.
Strengthening National Defense and Securing Elections
Military strength and national security emerged as the third most important priority, with 77 percent of respondents citing it as “extremely important.”Concerns over global threats from adversaries such as China and Russia have amplified calls for bolstering America’s defense capabilities.
Trump’s proposed “peace through strength” agenda emphasizes modernizing the military, increasing operational readiness, and reinforcing U.S. deterrence on the world stage. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to reform the U.S. military, criticizing “woke” policies that he says undermine the nation’s warfighting capacity.
Rounding out the top five priorities to Epoch Times readers were election integrity and voting laws (72 percent) followed by energy independence and fossil fuel production (70 percent).
Respondents expressed a strong desire to safeguard the voting process amid long-running concerns about election security. Similarly, energy independence was seen as critical, an objective Trump has identified as key for both economic stability and national security.
On the campaign trail, Trump said repeatedly that his “drill, baby, drill” agenda of ramping up domestic oil and gas production would cut energy prices significantly, help lower costs across the U.S. economy, and provide relief to American households from years of high inflation.
Other Priorities and Write-In Responses
The survey also highlighted other priorities, including crime reduction and public safety (66 percent), immigration law and visa reform (66 percent), and judicial independence (63 percent). Inflation and the cost of living were also cited by 63 percent of respondents as pressing issues.Lower-ranked topics included affordable housing and mortgage rates (23 percent) and infrastructure modernization (20 percent). Climate change and renewable energy investment, a key priority for progressive politicians, received little support, with only 7 percent rating it as “extremely important” and 61 percent deeming it “not important.”
Respondents were also given the opportunity to suggest their own priorities, and federal government and agency reform emerged as the most common write-in issue, with 1,168 mentions. This appears to reflect dissatisfaction with bureaucratic inefficiencies and a desire for greater government accountability.
Other notable mentions included pro-life policies, protecting First Amendment rights, and opposing DEI initiatives.
