Donald Trump initiated his second term as the 47th President of the United States by signing a series of executive actions on Monday.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump vowed to implement broad tariffs, expand domestic energy production, and launch mass deportations. He also promised to dismantle federal regulations, address what he perceives as government waste, and target his political adversaries.
However, there are legal limitations to what can be achieved through executive actions, and many of Trump’s orders are likely to face legal challenges, potentially slowing or halting their implementation.
Reversing Biden Policies
Trump’s first executive action rescinded 78 executive actions implemented by the Biden administration. These actions covered a wide range of topics, including racial equity, gender discrimination, climate change, the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, ethics requirements for political appointees, the root causes of migration, prescription drug costs, sanctions on Israeli settlers, and offshore drilling restrictions.
Trump also rescinded Biden’s 2021 order allowing transgender personnel to serve openly in the U.S. military, a policy Trump had initially barred during his first term.
Federal Workforce Policies
Trump ordered federal employees to return to their offices, directing agency heads to terminate remote work arrangements. A hiring freeze was also implemented, with exceptions for military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety.
Trump reinstated a policy that strips employment protections from tens of thousands of federal workers, a move he had previously made during his first term which Biden had reversed.
Trump also signed an order eliminating government diversity programs, including the termination of federal offices and positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as environmental justice.
National Security and Border Crisis
Trump declared a national emergency in the U.S.-Mexico border as part of his immigration-related executive actions. He also characterised the current situation at the border as an “invasion.” Trump ordered a halt to refugee admissions for at least four months and directed the designation of cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organisations.
The military was tasked with prioritising border security, including deploying troops and resources to end unlawful migration and drug trafficking. Trump also reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring migrants to await asylum hearings in Mexico. Additionally, he ordered the attorney general to pursue the death penalty for severe crimes committed by undocumented migrants.
Putting an End to the ‘Weaponisation’ of the Federal Government
A directive ordered the U.S. attorney general and the director of national intelligence to review potential misconduct within the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the intelligence community over the past four years.
Controversy Over Birthright Citizenship
Trump signed an order that reinterprets the 14th Amendment to exclude children born to undocumented immigrants from automatic U.S. citizenship. This also bars birthright citizenship for children born to individuals on temporary work, student, or tourist visas. The order is expected to face legal scrutiny.
Withdrawal from International Climate Agreement
Trump signed a letter to the United Nations to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, an initiative he made during his first term but was reversed by Biden.
Exiting the World Health Organization
Trump directed his administration to begin withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, a process he had initiated during his first term but was also reversed by Biden.
Two-Sex Policy Directive
Trump signed an order recognising only two sexes—male and female—based on reproductive cells at conception. Agencies were directed to issue documents reflecting this definition and to stop using gender identity or preferred pronouns. The measure also aimed to maintain women-only spaces in prisons and shelters.
Temporary Reprieve for TikTok
Trump ordered a delay in enforcing a federal ban on TikTok, giving the app’s Chinese parent company more time to negotiate a deal with a potential American buyer. This move is likely to face legal scrutiny, as it challenges legislation upheld by the Supreme Court.
Energy Dominance Agenda
Trump issued executive actions focused on energy policy, declaring a national emergency to expand natural resource production. He struck down rules that aim to speed up the transition to electric vehicles and scrapped restrictions on exporting liquefied natural gas.
Another order temporarily halted offshore wind lease sales and paused approvals for wind energy projects.
Clemency for Capitol Rioters
Trump issued a proclamation commuting the sentences of individuals charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He also granted pardons to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to the event and ordered the attorney general to dismiss all pending indictments.
Other Key Directives
Trump signed several other executive orders, including:
- Implementing a 90-day pause in U.S. foreign development assistance to realign aid with Trump’s foreign policy goals.
- Directing the secretary of state to align the agency with an “America First” foreign policy.
- Starting the process to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and reverting Denali’s name to “Mount McKinley.”
- Establishing the “Department of Government Efficiency” by reorganising the United States Digital Service.
- Directing recommendations to beautify federal civic architecture.
- Addressing the cost-of-living crisis in the United States.
- Issuing a directive to prevent the censorship of constitutionally protected speech by the federal government.
- Directing an assessment of U.S. trade relations with Mexico, Canada, and China, and investigating unfair trade practices.
- Revoking security clearances held by former officials who criticised him.
- Granting interim security clearances to certain personnel.