On his first full day back in office, President Donald Trump issued a wave of executive orders, proclamations, and directives, tackling policy priorities ranging from immigration and climate to high-profile pardons. These actions reflect Trump’s commitment to reshaping the federal government and undoing Biden-era policies, even as legal challenges loom.
Executive Orders and Directives: What They Mean
Executive orders carry the force of law but can be overturned by courts or future administrations. Trump’s latest orders cover diverse areas, including border security, immigration policy, energy production, and government reform. Alongside these orders, Trump has issued proclamations and directives, which are less binding but equally impactful in setting the administration’s tone.
Key Policies and Actions
Immigration
• Border Security: Declaring a “national emergency,” Trump directed officials to relaunch construction of the border wall with Mexico and ordered the military to seal the border, citing drug trafficking and human smuggling concerns.
• Birthright Citizenship: An executive order seeks to deny citizenship to children of migrants in the U.S. illegally or on temporary visas. This move, immediately challenged in court, confronts the 14th Amendment’s long-standing interpretation.
• Gang and Cartel Terrorism Designations: Trump classified international gangs, including MS-13, as foreign terrorist organizations.
• “Remain in Mexico” and “Catch and Release”: Trump reinstated his first-term policies, forcing asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting hearings and ending the release of migrants into U.S. communities.
• Federal Death Penalty: The death penalty was reinstated for certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, including the murder of law enforcement officers.
Climate and Energy
• Paris Agreement Withdrawal: Trump signed an order to withdraw the U.S. from the international climate accord, repeating his 2017 decision.
• Energy Production: Declaring a “national energy emergency,” Trump pledged to increase fossil fuel production, including unlocking Alaska’s natural resources.
• Halting the Green New Deal: He suspended funding for green energy programs under Biden-era laws, including the Inflation Reduction Act.
Government Reform
• Diversity and Inclusion: Trump eliminated federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, calling them “radical and wasteful.”
• Federal Workforce: He imposed a hiring freeze and required federal employees to return to in-office work.
• Censorship Investigation: Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate alleged censorship by government agencies during the Biden administration.
Capitol Riot Pardons
One of Trump’s most controversial moves was granting pardons and commutations to nearly 1,600 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. This includes prominent figures like Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. Trump’s executive order also halted all pending riot-related prosecutions, a move Democrats criticized as an attempt to rewrite history.
Other Notable Actions
• Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO): Trump began the process to remove the U.S. from the WHO, citing its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• TikTok Ban: Trump delayed implementation of a TikTok ban, allowing 75 days to find an American buyer for the app.
• Economic Measures: Directives were issued to reduce costs for housing, healthcare, and groceries, though specific actions remain unclear.
• Renaming Landmarks: Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the “Gulf of America” and Alaska’s Mount Denali to be reverted to Mount McKinley.
Reversals of Biden-Era Policies
• Foreign Aid: Trump paused foreign aid programs, initiating a review under his “America First” policy.
• Unvaccinated Federal Workers: Trump rescinded vaccine mandates and promised reinstatement with backpay for discharged military members.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s actions have already sparked significant debate, with supporters praising his bold moves and critics warning of potential overreach. As legal battles mount, the nation watches to see how these policies will shape his second term.
