On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders across a range of issues, from immigration to energy, aiming to assert his leadership and reshape policy.
Pardons and Criminal Justice
Trump granted pardons to around 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, including members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. The pardons cut short sentences for many convicted of seditious conspiracy, and Trump also directed the U.S. attorney general to drop pending charges related to the incident.
Immigration
Trump declared illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border a national emergency and designated criminal cartels as terrorist organizations. His order suspended U.S. refugee resettlement for at least four months and reviewed security measures for certain nations. Trump also proposed changes to automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.
Revoking Biden’s Actions
At a rally, Trump reversed nearly 80 executive actions taken by the Biden administration, covering topics such as COVID relief and clean energy. He also ordered the preservation of records related to “political persecutions” under Biden.
Diversity and LGBTQ+ Rights
Trump rescinded Biden’s orders promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as rights for LGBTQ+ and racial minorities, fulfilling his promises to reduce protections for marginalized groups.
TikTok and Regulatory Freeze
Trump delayed the TikTok ban for 75 days, offering time to review the platform’s future. He also enacted a freeze on new federal regulations, ordered federal workers to return to full-time in-person work, and imposed a hiring freeze.
Climate and Energy Policies
Trump took steps to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and rolled back environmental protections. He reversed Biden’s Arctic drilling restrictions and eliminated an electric vehicle mandate. Trump also pushed for expanded oil and gas production in the U.S. and aimed to promote energy exports globally.
Health and Global Relations
Trump withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, citing its mishandling of the pandemic. This shift represented a broader distancing from international health efforts and global partnerships.
Government Efficiency and Free Speech
Trump signed orders to streamline government operations, including creating the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk. The initiative aims to cut federal agencies and jobs. Additionally, Trump signed an order to restore free speech by combating censorship, specifically on online platforms.
Economic Relief and Inflation
Trump directed government agencies to deliver emergency price relief to Americans, targeting rising costs caused by inflation. He called for a rollback of regulations that raised prices, particularly in housing and climate policies.
These executive actions reflect Trump’s aggressive policy changes and efforts to distance his administration from his predecessors, focusing on immigration reform, energy production, and reducing regulations. His moves are set to reshape U.S. domestic and foreign policies, signaling a dramatic departure from the previous administration’s approach.
