US President Donald Trump had a busy day in office.
On his first day back in the White House, President Trump signed a series of executive orders that quickly garnered attention due to their far-reaching implications.
These orders ranged from withdrawing the US from international agreements to reshaping domestic policies, signaling his intent to undo several initiatives from the previous administration.
Pulling out of the World Health Organization
In a move that echoed his previous criticisms of the WHO, Trump signed an executive order directing the US to exit the organisation, citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
The US is the largest financial contributor to the WHO, and the withdrawal will take effect in 12 months, halting future contributions.
Pardons for Jan 6 defendants
Trump issued pardons and commutations to those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, effectively clearing the legal charges for many defendants and halting further Justice Department investigations into the incident.
The move fulfills a campaign pledge to support the individuals arrested and charged in connection with the insurrection.
Ending birthright citizenship
Trump issued an order targeting the automatic citizenship granted to children born in the US to undocumented immigrant parents.
The executive order aimed to restrict birthright citizenship for those born to parents unlawfully present in the country or whose status was temporary.
While the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, the order is expected to face immediate legal challenges, potentially making this a contentious issue moving forward.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali
In an unusual move, Trump signed an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and revert Alaska’s Mount Denali to its former name, Mount McKinley.
While the rebranding does not affect international usage, the decision reflects Trump’s broader stance on reasserting American identity and pushing back against previous administration’s decisions, including Obama’s renaming of the mountain in 2015.
Revoking EV targets
Trump revoked an executive order from the Biden administration that set a target for half of all new cars sold in 2030 to be electric.
This is part of Trump’s broader strategy to reverse Biden’s environmental policies and emphasize the protection of American industries, particularly in contrast to China’s energy policies.
Trump’s order also targets auto pollution standards that Biden’s administration had introduced.
Rescinding 78 Biden-era executive actions
Trump signed an order to rescind 78 executive actions from the Biden administration, focusing particularly on policies aimed at advancing racial equity and supporting marginalized communities.
He expressed his desire to dismantle policies he viewed as attempts to socially engineer race and gender in public life.
Reclassifying federal employees
Trump’s new order aimed at reclassifying thousands of federal workers as political hires, making it easier to dismiss them.
This decision reestablishes the “Schedule F” classification, which Trump initially instituted in the final year of his first term to reduce the influence of what he described as the “deep state” within government agencies.
National energy emergency declaration
Trump declared a national energy emergency, effectively fast-tracking permits for fossil fuel infrastructure.
This order, part of a broader set of pro-fossil fuel actions, seeks to remove restrictions on drilling in Alaska and other energy production areas.
The declaration is expected to face legal challenges due to its potential environmental impact.
Establishing a gender binary policy
In a move that reverses Biden-era policies, Trump signed an executive order declaring that there are only two genders: male and female.
This order removes the acceptance of gender identity from federal communication and policies, aligning with Trump’s stance against gender-related changes to laws protecting against sex discrimination.
Pause on the TikTok ban for now
Trump delayed the enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok for at least 75 days, stating that he would use the time to chart an “appropriate course forward.”
This is a shift from his previous stance, as he had once pushed for a complete ban on the app due to national security concerns but now appears more ambivalent, partly due to his popularity on the platform.
Declaring a National Border Emergency
Trump declared an emergency at the southern US border, setting the stage for a broader immigration crackdown.
This order would likely allow for the deployment of US troops to the border and lay the groundwork for large-scale deportations, a key part of Trump’s campaign promises.
Exiting the Paris Climate Agreement
Trump signed an order withdrawing the US from the Paris climate agreement.
This decision reverses Biden’s action of rejoining the agreement upon taking office in 2021 and continues Trump’s long-standing opposition to international climate accords.
It signals his intent to pursue policies that prioritize American industries over global environmental commitments.
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