What Executive Orders Did Trump Sign on Day One?
Donald Trump wasted no time on his first day as the 47th President of the United States, signing a series of executive orders covering immigration, climate, energy, diversity policies, and more. From reinstating policies to dismantling Biden-era initiatives, his actions reflect a decisive approach to his second term. Here’s a breakdown of his most notable executive orders.
Immigration Executive Orders
Trump’s immigration orders signal a return to some of his most controversial first-term policies:
1. Border Security and National Emergency
- Declared a national emergency to free up funding for a border wall with Mexico.
- Ordered the military to “seal the borders” to curb illicit drug flows and human smuggling.
2. Birthright Citizenship
- Trump has challenged the 14th Amendment by denying citizenship to children born to migrants in the US illegally. This has already sparked legal battles.
3. ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Returns
- Revived the policy that forces non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for court hearings.
- Ended “catch and release” and halted Biden’s migrant sponsorship initiative.
4. Death Penalty for Immigrant Criminals
- Reinstated the federal death penalty for certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
5. Refugee Resettlement Suspended
- Suspended the US refugee resettlement program; details remain unclear.
Climate and Energy Orders
Trump doubled down on fossil fuels and reversed climate initiatives:
1. Exit from Paris Climate Agreement
- Once again withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement. Withdrawal will take a year to finalize.
2. National Energy Emergency
- Declared an “energy emergency” and pledged to refill oil reserves while ramping up domestic drilling.
3. End of Green New Deal
- Stopped funding for Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and green energy initiatives.
4. Unlocking Alaskan Resources
- Signed an order to expand oil and gas drilling in Alaska.
Diversity and Gender Policies
Trump’s orders reshaped federal stances on gender identity and diversity:
1. Transgender Recognition
- Declared the US will only recognize “two sexes: male and female.”
- Impacted federal documents, civil rights protections, and funding.
2. End of Diversity Programs
- Halted all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, calling them “wasteful.”
TikTok and Social Media
Trump addressed the TikTok ban, which briefly went into effect before his inauguration:
1. TikTok Ban Delayed
- Signed a directive giving ByteDance 75 days to find a US buyer for TikTok.
- Trump stated this extension would allow for a resolution that protects national security while keeping the platform operational.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Trump has once again initiated the process to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing dissatisfaction with its handling of global health crises.
Conclusion: Trump’s Day One Agenda
President Trump’s return to office has been marked by bold and divisive actions. From immigration and energy to TikTok and diversity policies, his executive orders reflect a clear departure from the Biden administration. However, several of these orders face legal and logistical challenges, leaving their long-term impact uncertain.
As Trump’s second term unfolds, his actions will undoubtedly shape the political landscape at home and abroad.
External Link:
Learn more about Trump’s executive orders on BBC News
Internal Link:
Discover the implications of Trump’s TikTok policies at Kenkou Land