In a dramatic start to his second term, President Donald Trump wasted no time in implementing his agenda, signing a series of executive orders immediately after taking the oath of office. Among his first actions was the declaration of a national emergency regarding the U.S.-Mexico border, the resumption of construction on his controversial border wall, and an order to eliminate diversity programs across federal agencies.
Following a celebratory rally in Washington, Trump signed numerous directives focused on immigration, including a significant move to end birthright citizenship, a topic that has sparked legal debates and opposition from Democrats and various legal organizations. Birthright citizenship is rooted in the 14th Amendment, which asserts that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen.
In his inaugural address, Trump emphasized the importance of “common sense” in his approach to governance, stating, “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America.” He also acted on a promise to afford the Chinese-owned platform TikTok additional time to transition ownership to an American company.
One of Trump’s notable orders revokes approximately 80 executive actions from former President Joe Biden, signaling a clear pivot in policy direction. This includes initiatives aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion, with Trump promising to create a society that is “colorblind and merit-based.” He underscored this commitment by confirming that the federal government will recognize only two genders, male and female, on official documentation.
In terms of federal employment, Trump set in motion the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at reducing government spending. Although originally announced with plans for billionaire Elon Musk’s involvement, recent reports indicate Musk will not participate, steering focus toward efficiency and governance reform. Additionally, Trump reestablished “Schedule F,” potentially stripping protections from nonpolitical career officials.
The energy sector is also a focal point of Trump’s executive actions, with measures introduced to boost U.S. energy production and drilling, particularly in Alaska. Furthermore, he signed orders to change the names of significant geographical landmarks, including altering Alaska’s Denali back to Mount McKinley and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, despite existing ambiguities regarding international waters.
Amid these sweeping changes, Trump granted immediate top-secret security clearances to certain staffers in the White House, circumventing the traditional vetting process. This included revoking clearances for former officials who criticized his administration.
This wave of executive orders notably eclipses Trump’s first day in office in 2017, where he signed only one order, and contrasts with Biden’s nine executive actions on his first day. The aggressive approach reflects Trump’s intent to rapidly reshape the political landscape in alignment with his long-held views and promises.
As the administration embarks on this renewed era, the challenges posed by legal opposition and the practicality of implementing such expansive reforms remain significant. Observers are keenly looking to see how these initiatives will unfold and impact American governance going forward.