President Donald J. Trump acted with his usual haste on his first full day back in the White House, issuing a series of executive orders and directives that emphasised the broad goals of his second term.
The Republican leader has not spent any time implementing a number of campaign pledges, ranging from controversial pardons and regulatory freezes to immigration crackdowns and energy policy reversals.
The president is keen to consolidate power, undo the policies of his predecessor, and impose his vision on the country and internationally, as evidenced by the acts he announced on Monday and Tuesday. However, a number of the directives are immediately subject to judicial challenges, reigniting discussions about constitutional restraints, presidential overreach, and America’s future in the wake of Trump.
The orders are crucial as the eyes of the world are on all the new administration. Several international leaders were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the ceremony. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were there.
Additionally invited to the ceremony were a number of billionaires, corporate executives, and influential people. Attendees included Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Dana White of the UFC, and Bernard Arnault of LVMH.
Here’s a closer look at the key actions Trump has undertaken so far, and the challenges they may encounter.
Immigration: A Return to Hardline Policies
The Trump administration has once again made immigration a top priority. The crisis at the southern border was declared a national emergency by Trump, who said that “America’s sovereignty is under siege ».
This order opens the door for the reallocation of federal funding to continue building a wall along the border with Mexico, which was one of his campaign’s main pledges. However, MPs have already expressed concern due to the absence of a clear financial plan.
In addition, Trump gave the military orders to « seal the borders, » citing crime, drug trafficking, and migrant smuggling.
An executive order denying birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas was one of his most contentious actions. Legal experts quickly challenged the order, declaring it unlawful, despite Trump’s longstanding criticism of this 14th Amendment protection.
Trump also brought back his « Remain in Mexico » policy, which mandated that asylum seekers wait for their hearings on the other side of the border. Additionally, he terminated the humanitarian parole program of the Biden administration, which permitted thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to lawfully enter the United States.
Trump further solidified his position when he reinstated the federal death sentence, which would be applied to crimes committed by unauthorised immigrants, such as killing police officers.
Energy and Climate: An Era of Fossil Fuel Revival
Regarding climate change, Trump has not wasted any time in reversing the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Removing the United States from the Paris climate deal once more, claiming that the agreement hindered American economic interests, was one of his first moves.
Trump proclaimed a « national energy emergency » and promised to greatly increase domestic drilling and fill the country’s strategic oil reserves. According to him, it’s time to « drill, baby, drill. »
Under the « Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential » order he signed, Trump pledged to unlock the state’s mineral, oil, and gas assets. Furthermore, he reversed rules intended to control carbon emissions and stopped financing alternative energy initiatives, such as wind farms.
Trump’s energy policies are viewed as a crucial move to ensure U.S. energy independence by supporters, while others claim they show a lack of respect for climate science.
Diversity and Inclusion: A Sharp Pivot
Trump’s executive order requiring the U.S. government to recognise just « two sexes, male and female » was one of his most divisive actions as president. It is anticipated that this order will have a significant impact on transgender rights, influencing everything from civil rights protections to federal financing.
Additionally, he declared all government diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs « radical and wasteful » and abolished them. These actions have been denounced by advocacy groups, which warn that they would chill underprivileged communities.
Justice and Pardons: Revisiting the Capitol Riot
Trump’s decision to pardon over 1,600 individuals detained in relation to the Capitol incident on January 6, 2021, has rekindled discussions about justice and accountability. Members of far-right organisations like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, whose leaders were found guilty of seditious conspiracy, were among them.
Trump called the accused « political prisoners » in his defence of the pardons. However, according to some, this sets a risky precedent that threatens the rule of law.
Government Reform: A Spotlight on Efficiency
The establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advising organisation charged with reducing government expenses, was one of Trump’s most unconventional orders. The billionaire businessman Elon Musk will be in charge of the division.
Trump simultaneously ordered all federal employees to resume in-person work and imposed a hiring freeze on the federal government, with the exception of the military and certain other categories.
Global Health and Foreign Policy: Withdrawing from WHO and Reassessing Alliances
Citing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) response to the COVID-19 epidemic, Trump has started the process of removing the United States from the organisation once more.
As part of a larger « America-First » strategy, Trump declared on the global scene that foreign aid would be frozen. His government is reassessing ties with nations like Venezuela and Cuba and reconsidering aid initiatives.
Economic Measures: Tackling Inflation and Renaming Landmarks
In an order, Trump urged federal agencies to address the growing expense of living. Though details are still unknown, the order specifies a 30-day deadline for suggestions to reduce prices in sectors like housing, healthcare, and fuel.
Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the « Gulf of America » and Alaska’s Mount Denali to be renamed Mount McKinley in honour of the 25th president, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism.
Challenges and Criticisms
Trump’s frenzy of executive actions demonstrates his resolve to get started right away, but they also pave the way for important legal disputes. Many of the directives, especially those pertaining to immigration and climate change, are criticised for going beyond the scope of the executive branch.
Furthermore, the president’s divisive language has increased worries about governance and togetherness in a country that is already divided. Civil rights activists caution that his policies regarding immigration, diversity, and gender may undermine hard-won safeguards for marginalised groups.
Written by Dr Florence Omisakin
