President Trump has taken decisive action shortly after his inauguration, signing a series of executive orders and proclamations aimed at reversing many policies from former administrations and reinstating measures from his first term. His actions, which were celebrated by a cheering crowd at the Capital One Arena, reflect a commitment to key issues such as immigration, national security, and cultural concerns.
Among the most significant orders is one that grants pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, effectively nullifying many convictions related to the attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump expressed hope for their release that evening.
In another move, Trump temporarily paused the implementation of a bipartisan law aimed at banning TikTok, a popular social media platform, unless its Chinese parent company divested its U.S. operations. This pause allows for a review period to determine the best path forward while considering national security implications.
Additionally, Trump rescinded 78 executive actions from the Biden era, covering a range of topics including racial equality, climate policy, and immigration. In a sweeping overhaul of immigration policy, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, instructed the military to enhance border security, and initiated policies to end practices such as “catch-and-release” for asylum seekers. Furthermore, he outlined measures to define certain criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, which aims to expedite their removal from the U.S.
Trump also reinstated the federal death penalty in severe cases, particularly those involving law enforcement fatalities, and introduced a freeze on federal hiring. In his environmental policy shifts, he withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord, echoing his previous term’s commitments.
Adding a controversial agenda item, Trump required that federal agencies acknowledge only two genders, effectively reversing prior policies that recognized gender identity in more flexible terms. This move included the termination of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The president’s recent executive orders signify a bold strategy to reshape the federal government’s policies according to his campaign pledges. With hopes of stimulating job creation and reducing inflation emphasized in his directives, there is an underlying aim to restore what he calls “American prosperity.”
As Trump embarks on this challenging path, he faces various legal and political hurdles. However, the fervent support from his base suggests a potential for significant impact as he seeks to enact these sweeping changes.