By Milcah Tanimu
President Donald Trump’s first day in office as the 47th U.S. President saw a flurry of executive orders that have already started to reshape the country’s policies on a variety of issues, from immigration to climate change.
Some of these actions fulfilled campaign promises, while others, like the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), came as a surprise. Here’s a summary of the key orders signed by Trump during his first day in office.
Immigration Overhaul
Trump took immediate action to reshape U.S. immigration policy. He declared a national emergency at the southern border, promising a military-led operation to deport “criminal aliens.”
In a controversial move, Trump signed an order to revoke birthright citizenship. This action is expected to face legal challenges due to constitutional protections granting citizenship to those born in the U.S.
Pardons for January 6 Rioters
On the heels of the January 6 Capitol riot, Trump signed pardons for over 1,500 individuals charged in the attack. He referred to those convicted as “hostages” and justified the pardons as a way to restore justice for the rioters.
Reversal of ‘Woke’ Culture Policies
In line with his promise to combat “woke” culture, Trump repealed a range of executive orders that promoted diversity programs and LGBTQ equality. His administration will now officially recognize only two genders—male and female.
Paris Climate Accord Withdrawal
Trump reinstated his earlier decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. The move marks a continued defiance against global efforts to address climate change, despite growing concerns about catastrophic weather events worldwide.
Expansion of Oil Drilling
In a bold move, Trump declared a “national energy emergency” aimed at increasing oil and gas drilling. The new policies underscore his focus on boosting domestic energy production. He emphasized, “We will drill, baby, drill,” in his inaugural address.
Federal Workers and Remote Work
Trump signed an order requiring federal workers to return to the office full-time. This marks a move to reverse many of the work-from-home accommodations that were widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Withdrawal from WHO
Trump also signed an order for the U.S. to exit the World Health Organization (WHO). He cited the disparity in financial contributions, claiming that the U.S. was unfairly paying more than China to the UN body.
TikTok Ban Delay
Trump ordered a 75-day delay on enforcing a ban on TikTok, giving the Chinese-owned app a short window to negotiate with the U.S. government. The administration insists that TikTok must sell a 50% stake to American buyers.
Israeli Settler Sanctions Revoked
In a move that reversed the Biden administration’s decision, Trump lifted sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. These sanctions were initially imposed over concerns about abuses against Palestinians.
Cuba Policy Reversal
Trump also reversed Biden’s recent move to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This action comes after a deal brokered by Biden to free prisoners, marking another sharp policy shift by the Trump administration.
