Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on January 20 and broke the record for the most executive orders signed in his first two days, with measures ranging from immigration to ending price caps on prescription drugs for seniors.
Trump signed nearly 200 executive orders, memoranda and proclamations on his first day, focusing on reversing Joe Biden’s policies of the past four years.
Here are some of the most relevant ones:
Pardon for those convicted of assault on the Capitol
The first order signed in the Oval Office by Donald Trump was the full pardon of about 1,500 people convicted of crimes in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, including those who were convicted of secession and violence against police officers.
Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
The United States is immediately withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and all of its climate-related obligations.
End of targets for electric cars
The goal of reaching 50% electric vehicles in the US fleet by 2030 has been revoked. This was one of several orders that end with measures to make energy production more sustainable, including increasing oil and natural gas extraction in Alaska, in areas that were previously protected.
End of anti-pollution rules
Regulations on pollution emitted by car and van exhausts are canceled. Energy efficiency rules for dishwashers, showers and gas stoves are also repealed.
Suspension of offshore wind power
The leasing of federal maritime territory for the production of offshore wind energy is suspended.
Elimination of environmental justice programs
All programs aimed at protecting poor communities from excess pollution are eliminated. Another order forces a review of all regulations that place obstacles to the use of energy sources such as coal and oil.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization
Trump ordered the exit from the WHO citing “the organization’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic” and the costs associated with membership.
End of price controls on medicines for the elderly
Joe Biden’s policy that lowered drug costs for seniors and imposed a price cap on pharmaceutical companies has been revoked.
Cancellation of admission of refugees and asylum seekers
Trump has canceled the admission of refugees and asylum seekers, one of several immigration-related measures that include declaring a national emergency on the border with Mexico, militarizing the Border Patrol, restarting construction of the wall and declaring gangs and cartels as terrorist organizations. The “remain in Mexico” policy is restored.
Deportations for all
The directive is restored to deport anyone who is undocumented, regardless of what they have done or their family situation, without priority criteria. ICE will be able to enter schools, churches and hospitals to detain people.
End of citizenship by birth
The president ordered the dismantling of the right enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which gives anyone born on American soil citizenship of the country. The order denies citizenship to babies born to people with visas and undocumented immigrants.
Death penalty for undocumented immigrants who commit capital crimes
The order requires the department to seek the death penalty for undocumented immigrants who commit capital crimes, including murder of police officers or civilians, kidnapping, rape and espionage.
Only two sexes and the end of diversity
Several executive orders require federal agencies to recognize only female and male sex and eliminate gender identity. All policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion are eliminated. Protections for trans people in prisons are being rolled back.
Extension of the deadline for banning TikTok
The Chinese social network whose ban process was initiated by Donald Trump in 2020 will have another 75 days of operation, an extension that will allow it to find alternatives to comply with the law passed by Congress.
Hiring freeze
All hiring for federal positions is frozen, except for military and national security. Civil servants are required to return to the office and the Schedule F category of federal employees, who have no labor protections, will be restored.
Security clearance without scrutiny
White House staff will be granted top security clearance without going through the vetting and screening process.
Review of investigations over the last four years
Investigations conducted during the Biden administration will be reviewed to “correct the federal government’s past misconduct in weaponizing the law enforcement and intelligence community.” The order concerns criminal investigations into Donald Trump and his allies.
External Revenue Service
The government will consider creating the External Revenue Service to collect fees and taxes, and federal agencies will have to investigate trade practices with other countries.
End of agreement to tax companies
Trump withdrew the US from a global agreement reached by 130 countries in 2021 to guarantee a minimum tax of 15% on multinationals’ profits, which was intended to make it harder for profits to be diverted to tax havens.
Name change
Mount Denali in Alaska becomes Mount McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico becomes the Gulf of America. In the latter case, the change does not need to be recognized by other countries.
DOGE Implementation
The order creates the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to cut government spending.
Revocation of security clearance
The 51 signatories of a letter warning that the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop could potentially be Russian disinformation have had their security clearances revoked in retaliation. Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton — a frequent target of threats — has had his Secret Service protection discontinued.
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