US President Donald Trump’s decision on the Paris Climate Agreement in the Rose Garden of the White House on June 1, 2017. He withdrew the United States from the agreement for the second time on January 20, 2025, after becoming president for the second time. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump has issued nearly half a dozen executive orders since taking office. Through them, he has signaled the start of a second term with a strong use of power, which has revealed his intention to change the existing US policies on immigration, the environment and diversity.
Trump’s executive orders, one after another, aimed to bring the country back from the path of outgoing President Joe Biden. The most notable issues in this effort include various domestic policies, climate and immigration. In addition, Trump has brought his own agenda to the fore through executive orders. He has taken steps to explore and extract natural resources and change the global role of the United States as a sanctuary for refugees and immigrants.
In a speech on Monday evening after being sworn in, Trump said he was also reversing about 80 “harmful, radical executive actions” from the previous administration.
The orders Trump has rescinded include the federal government’s refugee program renewal and the Justice Department’s phased-out use of privately owned prisons.
Some of Trump’s executive orders will almost certainly face challenges in court, and many will remain symbolic. But together, the orders reflect his desire to change the way the Biden administration has run the United States more broadly. During the election campaign, Trump and his colleagues have made clear their efforts to dismantle what they called the US “deep state.”
Here are some of the notable changes Trump has made on his first day, including the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
Outgoing President Joe Biden stands in front of Donald Trump as he is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. In the Capitol Rotunda in Washington on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Federal government workforce
Hiring is suspended in all departments of the federal government except the military and immigration enforcement, national security and public safety.
No federal regulations will be implemented until Trump administration appointees are reviewed.
A review of the Biden administration’s investigative activities, so that the “misdeeds” of the past administration regarding the use of law enforcement and intelligence agencies can be corrected.
White House staff are given security clearances without the usual vetting process.
Remote work is banned and federal employees are ordered to work full-time in the office.
Immigration and border
People arriving at the southern border of the United States are banned from applying for asylum.
Birthright citizenship is revoked.
Emergency declared at US-Mexico border.
Non-Mexican asylum seekers in the US to wait in Mexico until hearings.
Drug cartels classified as ‘foreign terrorist organizations’.
Gender and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
In recent years, schools and businesses across the US have adopted policies to support women and ethnic minorities. The federal government has been funding these practices, classified under ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).’ Trump has ended the program.
Recognition of two genders—male and female.
Removal of protections for transgender people in federal prisons.
Energy and environment
The US has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement.
For the first time in US history, a national energy emergency has been declared.
Biden’s attempt to overturn a ban on mineral exploration in 625 million acres of water.
TikTok Banned
Trump has signed an executive order on TikTok. It suspends legislation to ban the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok. Trump had previously supported a ban on TikTok. But he has recently backed away from that position. Trump said his videos on TikTok were viewed billions of times during last year’s presidential election.
