On his inaugural day, President Trump enacted numerous executive orders to reshape U.S. policies, including declaring a national emergency at the Mexico border, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization, pardoning participants of the Capitol riot, revoking birthright citizenship, delaying a TikTok ban, and proclaiming a national energy emergency to boost domestic production. These actions represent a significant departure from the previous administration’s policies and aim to fulfill Trump’s campaign promises.
On his first day in office, US President Trump initiated significant changes in both domestic and foreign policy through a series of executive orders. What actions did he take, and how will they be implemented? Here’s a comprehensive overview.
With a flurry of executive orders, President Donald Trump made it clear that he intends to shift the political landscape away from his predecessor. On his inaugural day, he annulled 78 executive orders from Biden’s administration, signaling a decisive break from previous policies.
Immediate Policy Changes Following Inauguration
Emergency Declaration at the Mexico Border
Shortly after taking the oath of office, President Trump declared a state of emergency along the US-Mexico border and authorized military support for border surveillance. During his campaign, he had committed to a more stringent immigration policy, aiming to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and label drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
He also canceled all appointments made via the CBP One app, which was used to arrange asylum request meetings. While he stated he supports legal immigration, he declared in his inaugural speech, “All illegal entries will be stopped immediately, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal foreigners back to the places from which they came.” The situation in Tijuana, Mexico, is dire as many families face uncertainty and despair.
Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord
On his first day, Trump signed a letter to the United Nations announcing the US’s exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, which will officially take effect in a year. This move echoes his previous decision during his first term when he withdrew the nation from the accord, a reversal that only lasted months due to his successor’s re-entry into the agreement. Trump has consistently criticized the deal, viewing it as an unfair burden on the US that hampers competitiveness.
Pulling Out of the World Health Organization
When presented with the plan to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), Trump exclaimed, “Ooh, this is a big deal!” He criticized the agency for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and claimed the US was overpaying compared to China. “The World Health Organization has ripped us off; everyone rips off the US. That will not happen anymore,” he stated.
This isn’t Trump’s first attempt to sever ties with the WHO; he had previously announced the withdrawal in July 2020, amidst the pandemic’s escalation. However, President Biden reversed this decision on his first day in office in January 2021.
Pardons for Capitol Riot Participants
Around 1,500 Trump supporters are facing investigations for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trump has chosen to pardon them all, referring to them as “the hostages” while signing the necessary documents in the Oval Office. This decree also shortens the sentences of 14 individuals, including members of extremist groups like the ‘Proud Boys’ and ‘Oath Keepers,’ who faced serious charges.
The Capitol was stormed by Trump’s supporters in an effort to disrupt the certification of Biden’s election victory. While many anticipated extensive pardons, the full extent of Trump’s order was initially unclear. This decision has drawn criticism from various Democratic lawmakers, particularly given the violence that ensued during the attack. Trump defended his supporters, asserting, “In most cases, they did nothing wrong.”
Revoking Birthright Citizenship
Trump aims to abolish the right to citizenship by birth in the US and has signed a related decree. He emphasized that US citizenship is a “profound gift.” Throughout his campaign, he expressed intentions to dismantle the birthright system, which grants automatic citizenship to anyone born on American soil, as stated in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Trump argues that this should not apply if a mother is unlawfully present in the country.
Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), are gearing up to challenge this decree in court, potentially bringing the case before the Supreme Court, which has seen a significant rightward shift in recent years due to Trump’s appointments.
Temporary Stay on TikTok Ban
The popular video-sharing app TikTok has been granted an additional 75 days before a potential ban in the US. Trump is optimistic about negotiating a deal that would give the US a 50 percent stake in the app. Without US endorsement, the app’s viability is questionable.
A law requires the Chinese parent company, Bytedance, to divest from TikTok by Sunday for the app to continue operating in the US. The company has firmly resisted this demand, citing support from Beijing. TikTok remains immensely popular among American youth, boasting around 170 million users.
Proclamation of a National Energy Emergency
To enhance domestic energy production, Trump declared a national energy emergency. This measure aims to streamline the utilization of oil, gas, uranium, coal, and other essential resources while expediting approval processes for infrastructure projects like pipelines. The initiative is designed to lower energy costs for both consumers and industries.
Additionally, Trump ordered a review of permits for new wind farms, signaling a push for expanded energy development across various sectors.