Donald Trump, the sworn-in 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, began enacting his goals immediately. With multiple executive orders being signed in hours of his presidency, the tone of the second term had been set. They also represent various fulfillments of his campaign promises and important issues: national and international. This blog discusses Donald Trump’s day 1 orders, right after taking the helm for his second term.
Top of Donald Trump’s Day 1 Orders: Change
On his first day in office, President Trump signed a series of orders on immigration, energy, national security, and federal employment that became known as the Donald Trump Day 1 orders. The most pivotal one was the regulatory freeze-a stop-order so that the agencies would ensure that new regulations did not clash with his administration’s policies.
He also instigated a federal hiring freeze, excluding only the most sensitive areas of the military and immigration enforcement, and called on federal employees to return to work full-time in person.
Other high-profile moves included an executive order granting pardons to about 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 riots at the Capitol, a move he had pledged on the campaign trail that was not without controversy. Of those, 14 received commutations of their sentences.
Key Highlights of the Executive Orders
Immigration and Border Policies
The President declared a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexico border as troops were stationed in an attempt to stop the “disastrous invasion.” His Administration took stricter laws with respect to illegal immigrations. President instructed the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty in cases against undocumented who kill American citizens. Trump has issued an executive order revoking birthright citizenship for kids born to persons in nonpermanent-resident status—a change expected to receive court challenges.
He had already suspended refugee resettlement programs for six months, and he announced that he will reinstate the so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy that requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their U.S. court dates are pending.
Energy and Climate Policy
As if acting out of true character, Trump immediately issued a directive to the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. Using his executive powers to support greater energy production inside the United States, he eradicated climate-related limitations on oil, gas, and mining activities. He signed off on drilling offshore and instructed the refueling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to full capacity.
Global Health and Public Policy
Trump signed an order to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization, attacking its performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also promised to reinstate military personnel who had been ejected for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations, with full back pay.
Economic Measures
For addressing inflation, Trump ordered agencies to trim spending in the primary drivers of inflation: housing, healthcare, and energy. He further ordered the creation of an “External Revenue Service” to enhance tariff collection to raise the revenue of the U.S. Treasury.
Social and Cultural Policies
Trump has also signed an order that created immense controversy in determining only two sexes, male and female, which are allowed in all federal documents and regulations. The directive reinscribes a conventional definition of gender and can make a very significant difference to the federal policy.
Controversial Moves and Reactions
While some of these Donald Trump Day 1 orders go along with the Republican agenda, the rest, including the January 6 pardons and his position on birthright citizenship, do not appeal to the Democrats and even a number of Republicans. As per House Speaker Mike Johnson, the president’s immigration orders are hard to implement because of constitutional restrictions.
Similarly, environmental activists opposed the pullout from the Paris Climate Agreement and the expansion of offshore drilling, citing concerns about long-term environmental damage. On the international front, Trump’s orders to revisit tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada could mean trade tensions, with new tariffs up to 25% hinted at by February.
Historic Inauguration
Inclement winter weather had forced President Trump’s second inauguration to be held inside the Capitol Rotunda. The second U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms, he was the first convicted felon to take office. His inaugural address pledged to “restore America’s greatness” and promised immediate action on the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
While Donald Trump’s rapid moves on Day 1 demonstrate that he is serious about keeping campaign promises, the road to fulfillment of all his election promises will be long and littered with legal, political, and social challenges-from national security to economic fixes, all under the watch of galloping local and foreign media attention.
As the weeks unfold, the effects of these executive orders will concretize, guiding the course of his second term.
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