Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been marked by a flurry of activity, with the signing of numerous executive orders and directives impacting various aspects of American life. From government spending and defense to immigration and climate change, Trump’s actions are reshaping the federal landscape. This article provides a detailed overview of the orders Trump is signing today, offering insights into their scope and potential consequences.
BBC Stylized image of Donald Trump in front of a red and blue background, highlighting his prominent return to the forefront of American politics
Government Spending
Trump’s administration is focusing heavily on fiscal responsibility and realigning government priorities.
Halt to Federal Aid (Currently on Hold): An initial memo paused all federal grants and loans to ensure alignment with the administration’s agenda, but a federal judge has temporarily blocked this action. This “pause” was intended to allow a review of existing programs, and whether they aligned with Trump’s stated goals.
Department of Government Efficiency (Doge): Trump has established the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), aiming to cut government costs. Elon Musk is expected to lead this advisory body. The goal is to identify areas of waste and inefficiency in the federal government and implement cost-saving measures.
Freeze on Federal Hiring: A hiring freeze is in effect for all federal positions, except for the military and a few other crucial categories, giving the Trump administration greater control over the government workforce. This aims to streamline the federal bureaucracy and reduce overall government spending.
Federal Employees Returning to the Office: Trump has mandated that federal workers must return to in-office work, discontinuing remote work options. This measure signals a return to pre-pandemic workplace norms and emphasizes in-person collaboration and oversight.
Defense
Trump is prioritizing strengthening national defense and reshaping the US military. What Orders Is Trump Signing Today in the realm of defense?
Trump signed an order mandating a process to build a missile defense shield called an Iron Dome to protect the US.
He also enacted moves to reshape the US military by eliminating DEI programs and barring transgender recruits from enlisting.
Immigration
Immigration policy remains a central focus for the Trump administration.
‘National Emergency’ Declaration: Trump has declared a “national emergency,” citing an “attack” on American sovereignty, to unlock additional funding for border reinforcement. This declaration allows the administration to redirect resources to border security efforts, bypassing traditional budgetary constraints.
Border Wall: Efforts to construct a border wall with Mexico, initiated during Trump’s first presidency, have been relaunched. Funding for this project remains unclear.
Birthright Citizenship: An order has been issued to deny citizenship to children of migrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, which is expected to face legal challenges.
Terrorism Designation for Gangs and Cartels: Drug cartels and international gangs, including MS-13, have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
Shutting Down Legal Routes: A Biden-era immigration pipeline, which allowed up to 30,000 migrants from select countries to fly to the US, has been shut down.
Refugee Resettlement: The US refugee resettlement program has been suspended, with further details pending.
Tariffs
Trade and tariffs are being utilized to reshape international relationships.
Trump has said blanket tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico could come on 1 February.
He has ordered federal officials to review US trade relationships for unfair practices, including those with Canada, Mexico and China.
A spat with Colombia over deportations sparked a threat by Trump to implement 25% tariffs but a deal was reached to avert a trade war.
Climate and Energy
Trump’s energy policies prioritize fossil fuels and aim to reverse green initiatives.
Paris Climate Agreement Withdrawal: Trump has signed off on withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, a process that will take a year to complete.
‘Energy Emergency’ Declaration: An “national energy emergency” has been declared, with promises to fill up oil reserves and “drill, baby, drill” for more fossil fuels.
Alaskan Fuel: An executive order titled “unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential”, will promote oil, gas and other natural resources extraction from the state.
End Green New Deal: Trump has halted the Green New Deal, which includes a series of Biden measures that were aimed at boosting green jobs, regulating the fossil fuel industry and limiting pollution.
World Health Organization
Trump has initiated the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the second time.
Diversity and Gender
Policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as gender identity, are undergoing significant changes.
Transgender People: The US will only recognize “two sexes, male and female” on official documents. An executive order called “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” will restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for minors.
DEI: All DEI offices within the federal government have been shut down.
TikTok
Trump has postponed the implementation of a law that would ban TikTok in the US unless a new American owner was found.
2021 Capitol Riot
Pardoning hundreds who stormed US Capitol: Trump has issued pardons for nearly 1,600 of his supporters who were arrested in the riot at the US Capitol in 2021.
He has repeatedly referred to those arrested in the riot as “hostages”. At least 600 were charged with assaulting or impeding federal officers.
Commuting sentences of Oath Keepers, Proud Boys: Trump also commuted sentences for members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, far-right groups who were convicted of seditious conspiracy in relation to the riot.
Other Pardons
Trump has issued pardons for anti-abortion activists and Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road.
Reversing Biden Policies
‘American-First’: Trump has announced he is pausing foreign aid, outlining that he wants a review of foreign assistance programs.
Israeli settler sanctions: Trump rescinded sanctions that Biden began imposing on extremist Israeli settlers and settler groups in the occupied West Bank nearly one year ago. The last administration’s executive order was in response to a surge in attacks on Palestinians and their property in the territory.
Regulatory freeze: Another order directs federal agencies to refrain from issuing any new regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government.
Unvaccinated federal workers: As part of a directive reversing Biden-era policies, Trump revoked a mandate that federal workers must be vaccinated with the Covid vaccine. He has promised to reinstate the 8,000 military service members who were discharged over this.
Economy
Tackling inflation: Trump has signed a directive asking every US federal department and agency to address the cost of living.
Artificial Intelligence: Trump has signed a directive called the Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, looking to make the US “the global leader in AI”.
Science and technology: This directive establishes what the White House calls the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Digital financial technology: Trump has signed an executive order to regulate and promote the crypto industry, and to explore the creation of digital-assets.
Secret Documents
Declassification of records on JFK shooting: Trump has signed a directive ordering the release of classified documents related to the assassination of President John F Kennedy in 1963, as well as the 1968 killings of Senator Robert Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
‘Gulf of America’ and Alaska’s Mount Denali: Trump has directed the secretary of the interior to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America”.
The same order also directs the secretary to rename Alaska’s Mount Denali to Mount McKinley – in honour of America’s 25th president admired by Trump.
Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe
Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina: Trump has signed a directive supporting full federal recognition of the Lumbee tribe, a group of about 55,000 Native Americans who mostly live in one North Carolina county.
Conclusion
The executive orders and directives signed by Donald Trump cover a wide range of policy areas, signaling a significant shift in the direction of the US government. These actions are expected to have far-reaching consequences, sparking debates and legal challenges in the coming months and years. Stay informed as these policies unfold and impact the nation.
