Trump's day-one executive orders

US President Donald Trump initiated his presidency with a series of executive orders addressing key policy priorities, including immigration, climate, and criminal justice. 

What are executive orders?

Executive orders are directives from the president on managing the federal government. They range from routine actions, like granting holidays to federal employees, to major policy changes, such as regulating artificial intelligence.

Presidents often use executive orders to bypass Congress and advance their agendas. They can also revoke orders from previous administrations; for example, Trump rescinded 78 Biden-era orders on his first day in office.

While executive orders don’t need congressional approval, lawmakers can block them by cutting funding or imposing restrictions. Courts also have the power to challenge their legality.

Below is an overview of Trump's day-one executive orders:

Immigration

• National emergency: Declared a national emergency, citing threats to US sovereignty, and redirected funds to bolster the border wall with Mexico.
• Border closure: Ordered the military to seal the US-Mexico border to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal crossings.
• Birthright citizenship: Directed officials to deny citizenship to children of undocumented migrants and temporary visa holders, despite constitutional challenges under the 14th Amendment.
• Terrorism designation: Classified drug cartels and gangs like MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Policy reinstatements: Revived the "Remain in Mexico" program and ended "catch and release" policies, aiming for mass deportations despite legal and logistical hurdles.
• Death penalty for immigrants: Reinstated the federal death penalty for immigrants convicted of specific crimes, including capital offenses and murdering law enforcement officers.
• Refugee resettlement suspension: Paused the US refugee resettlement program, pending further details.

Climate and energy

• Paris Agreement withdrawal: Signed an order to exit the Paris Climate Accord, marking his second withdrawal attempt.
• Energy emergency: Declared a national energy emergency to increase fossil fuel production and fill oil reserves.
• Alaskan resources: Ordered the expansion of oil and gas extraction in Alaska.
• End of green new deal: Halted funding for green initiatives under the Inflation Reduction Act and revoked policies supporting renewable energy development.

World Health Organization

• Initiated the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), criticizing its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diversity and gender policies

• Transgender recognition: Limited federal recognition to biological sexes, affecting policies, civil rights protections, and government documents.
• diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs: Terminated federal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, labeling them as wasteful.

TikTok

• Postponed the enforcement of a TikTok ban, granting 75 days to identify a US buyer for the app.

2021 Capitol riot pardons

• Pardoned nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the Capitol riot, referring to them as "hostages."
• Commuted sentences for members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy.

Government reform

• Department of Government Efficiency: Created a new advisory body led by Elon Musk to streamline federal operations.
• Federal hiring freeze: Suspended hiring for federal positions except for the military and select roles.

Reversing Biden-era policies

• Foreign aid review: Paused foreign aid as part of an "America-First" policy.
• COVID vaccine mandates: Revoked vaccination requirements for federal workers and reinstated military personnel discharged for noncompliance.
• Remote work ban: Mandated all federal employees to return to in-office work.

Economic policies

• Cost of living directive: Instructed federal agencies to address inflation by reducing costs for housing, healthcare, and essential goods.
• Renaming landmarks: Ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the "Gulf of America" and reverted Alaska’s Mount Denali to "Mount McKinley."

Other actions

• Tariff review: Announced potential tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, with decisions expected in February.
• Declassification promises: Pledged to release classified documents on the Kennedy and King assassinations.
• Cryptocurrency stockpile: Advocated for a federal Bitcoin reserve to bolster the economy.