As the Trump administration nears the completion of its first year, Chris Rufo and Jonathan Kieperman (Romes), hosts of BlazeTV’s “Rufo & Romes,” take a moment to reflect on 2025. They delve into tough questions that often go unasked and are seeking a strategy for the second year that truly leads to comprehensive success.
“We kicked off with some aggressive moves and secured solid wins across various issues, but has there been a slowdown? Are things going as they should?” Rufo inquires.
In this episode, they celebrate achievements while acknowledging setbacks and present a “Five-Point Agenda” that they believe will help pave the way for further victories.
1. Revive the immigration debate
Immigration was a hot button issue for voters who rallied behind Trump, who throughout his campaign promised “mass deportation.” The administration has initiated a strong plan aimed at removing undocumented immigrants, yet Rufo insists that the pace of deportations must quicken.
“There’s been quite a bit of action from DHS and ICE, yet the actual deportations remain disappointingly low,” Romes notes.
Yet, there’s a reason for this, according to Rufo. “We can’t realistically have enough resources to deport 15 million people forcibly,” he explains.
The solution, they argue, involves encouraging voluntary return—what they term “remigration.” If the administration genuinely intends to boost deportation numbers, they need to incentivize people to leave willingly.
“To motivate over 10 million individuals to voluntarily depart, we must essentially make life here quite uncomfortable for them,” Rufo explains. “We must push them out of the financial system and implement high taxes on remittances to remove financial incentives.”
It’s crucial to approach immigration with a focus on benefits to Americans, he adds. “We need to make tough decisions about which demographics are most inclined to assimilate, contribute positively, and least likely to cause social or economic issues. …The choice to immigrate is ours to make.”
2. Create an affordable future for youth
Today’s young people are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet compared to just ten years ago. Affordable housing is now largely unattainable, especially for those under 40.
Rufo stresses the importance for the administration to “craft concrete economic strategies that enhance young people’s chances to enter the workforce effectively.”
Firstly, “we must dismantle the regulations that currently favor older generations at the cost of the young,” Romes argues. This includes capping property taxes for seniors, low-interest rates that hinder resale, and zoning laws that block affordable housing construction.
3. Eliminate terrorist networks
“The administration needs to break down left-wing terrorist groups, including Antifa,” Rufo remarks. “Other organized extremist factions should also be addressed. They require tangible proof of their criminal actions—mugshots, case numbers, and incarceration records.”
These groups are claiming control in cities like Portland and Berkeley, silencing conservative voices through intimidation. It’s essential to eliminate this influence through decisive action.
According to Romes, designating Antifa as a terrorist entity was a significant milestone, but there’s still much more work ahead. He acknowledges that some actions may be “sensitive and lengthy” but emphasizes the need for the administration to clearly communicate its actions to the public and ramp up pressure on individuals involved in these organizations.
“Another focus should be on the institutions that harbor these individuals,” he adds. “When extremists execute violent acts, like bombings, they often gain notoriety or recognition in academic circles. We need to find ways to push back against those institutions.”
But this endeavor requires the right leadership to prevent bureaucratic hurdles. Currently, there are some effective leaders, although some operate for their own gain rather than the cause, Rufo notes. “We need fighters who are prepared to confront challenges and need support from the top,” he emphasizes.
4. Abolish DEI protocols
The Trump administration has made strides in dismantling federal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, and these efforts must continue.
“Businesses, universities, and school systems are clinging to DEI frameworks, which are often fundamentally discriminatory,” Rufo states.
The Trump administration “needs to utilize its power to put a stop to this. These practices violate civil rights laws. If you continue, you’ll jeopardize your eligibility for federal funding.”
Romes adds that it’s essential to revisit decisions made under this ideology and advocate for the removal of individuals adhering to such principles from key positions across various sectors.
5. Financial accountability for universities
Rufo contends that simply punishing universities with funding cuts isn’t enough to combat ideological corruption; rather, they must be held financially accountable for student loans. “Universities need to bear the financial burden when debts go unpaid.”
This strategy can lead to several positive outcomes such as cutting administrative bloat, suspending admissions for unqualified students, and ultimately challenging the misconception that everyone needs to attend college.
“The Trump administration should capitalize on the student loan crisis to shift accountability onto universities, as they are not traditionally conservative strongholds. This tactic won’t alienate MAGA supporters,” Rufo explains. “Political strategy should be a factor in this approach to achieve desirable outcomes.”
For a deeper dive into Rufo and Romes’ five-point agenda for the Trump administration’s success, check out the full episode above.
