Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States on January 20, 2025, after winning the election with 312 electoral votes against Kamala Harris' 226.

In New Jersey, Trump lost by a narrow margin of fewer than 250,000 votes, but he garnered stronger support in municipalities such as Hamilton and Robbinsville.

Mercer County showed significant support for Harris, with 65.67% of the votes compared to Trump's 31.92%.

Concerns are being raised by local Democrats, particularly Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, regarding potential federal cuts to social safety net programs and infrastructure investments under Trump's administration.

Benson emphasized that any reductions in federal support could severely affect vulnerable populations in Mercer County.

During his first term, Trump implemented changes to Medicaid, including work requirements, which may return alongside potential cuts to programs like SNAP that assist food-insecure households.

The Biden administration reversed some of Trump's Medicaid changes, but there is growing concern about the future of these programs under the incoming administration.

As of April 2024, over 20,000 households in Mercer County participated in SNAP, which received over $112 billion in federal funds in 2023, highlighting a heavy reliance on such assistance.

The next presidency will play a crucial role in allocating $294 billion for state and local infrastructure projects as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is vital for Mercer County's development.

Mercer County has around 500 manufacturing firms employing about 14,000 people, indicating a significant potential impact from tariff changes.

Trump's campaign promises include raising tariffs on imports from countries like China, Canada, and Mexico, which could affect local businesses in New Jersey, particularly in manufacturing and trade.

Christopher Emigholz from NJBIA warned that higher tariffs could threaten New Jersey exports and increase costs, while potentially benefiting domestic operations if implemented carefully.

Trump's tariffs could have mixed effects, possibly increasing costs for businesses reliant on imported materials while benefiting American manufacturers if prices align favorably.