On his first day back in office as the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump made sweeping moves to fulfill the promises he championed during his campaign. Through a robust set of executive orders and directives, President Trump sought to reverse the policies of his predecessor, address pressing national issues, and reestablish his “America First” agenda.
Below is an in-depth review of President Trump’s first day in office, including the key executive orders signed, their implications, and the context surrounding these actions. This article provides a comprehensive analysis supported by external references.
Unleashing American Energy
President Trump began his term by addressing the energy crisis he identified during his campaign.
1. Declaring a National Energy Emergency
To prioritize domestic energy production, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national energy emergency. This order is designed to expedite oil and gas production and streamline the permitting process, aiming to reduce energy costs for American families significantly.
• Source: Axios Coverage of Trump’s Energy Plans
• Key Impact: Expected reduction in energy prices and an increase in energy independence.
2. Rescinding Biden-Era Regulations
President Trump repealed regulations he claimed hindered American energy production. This included reversing restrictions on Arctic drilling and terminating the electric vehicle (EV) mandate imposed by the previous administration.
• Notable Directive: Reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil exploration.
• Source: USA Today: Energy Directives
3. Scrapping Offshore Wind Projects
In line with his opposition to wind energy projects, President Trump issued a memorandum halting all federal leasing and permitting for offshore wind projects, citing environmental and economic concerns.
Securing America’s Borders
Immigration reform was central to Trump’s campaign, and his Day One actions reflected this priority.
1. Declaring a National Border Emergency
President Trump declared a state of emergency at the southern border, enabling the deployment of military resources to prevent illegal crossings and combat cartels.
• Source: Fox News: Trump’s Immigration Policies
2. Reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” Policy
The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, were reinstated. This policy requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed.
3. Ending Catch-and-Release Programs
To deter illegal immigration, Trump ended the catch-and-release system that allowed undocumented immigrants to remain in the U.S. while awaiting court dates.
4. Designating Cartels as Terrorist Organizations
President Trump took a hard stance on drug cartels by officially designating them as foreign terrorist organizations, providing federal agencies with broader powers to dismantle their operations.
Restoring Common Sense Policies
President Trump introduced measures to address what he described as “radical ideologies” and to reaffirm traditional American values.
1. Defining Gender as Male and Female
One of the most discussed executive orders defined gender as strictly male and female for federal purposes. This order sought to reverse policies that recognized gender identity as fluid.
• Source: The Free Press: Gender Policy
2. Restoring the Death Penalty
Trump reinstated the federal death penalty for drug dealers and human traffickers, emphasizing the need for strong deterrents against these crimes.
Economic and Regulatory Reforms
President Trump targeted economic challenges, focusing on deregulation and reducing the cost of living.
1. Emergency Price Relief
An executive order directed all federal agencies to reduce administrative expenses and eliminate regulations driving up consumer costs. This was part of a broader effort to tackle inflation and provide relief to American families.
2. Regulatory Freeze
A regulatory freeze was imposed to halt the publication of new federal regulations, with the goal of reviewing and eliminating unnecessary rules.
Draining the Swamp
As part of his ongoing promise to “drain the swamp,” President Trump enacted policies to address government inefficiency and corruption.
1. Ending Remote Work for Federal Employees
Trump ordered federal workers to return to in-person work or face termination. This move aimed to increase accountability and productivity in government operations.
2. Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency
A new department, focused on reducing waste and improving federal operations, was created. The “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) will oversee efforts to streamline government processes.
3. Restoring Merit-Based Hiring
President Trump signed an order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from federal hiring practices. Instead, the focus will return to merit-based assessments.
Foreign Policy and National Security
Trump’s Day One foreign policy directives emphasized American sovereignty and security.
1. Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord
For the second time, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, arguing that it placed an unfair burden on American industries while benefiting competitors like China.
• Source: Reuters: Paris Climate Accord
2. Revoking U.S. Membership in the WHO
Trump directed the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization, citing mismanagement and bias during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Strengthening Vetting Processes
An executive order reinstated strict vetting measures for immigrants and travelers, targeting countries that do not cooperate with U.S. officials in providing essential information.
Lawmakers’ Reactions
Prominent lawmakers expressed support for Trump’s actions:
• Senator Katie Britt: Praised Trump’s border security measures, highlighting their importance in combating drug trafficking.
• House Majority Leader Steve Scalise: Celebrated the sweeping executive orders as a return to “America First” policies.
Criticism and Controversy
While Trump’s actions received praise from his supporters, critics raised concerns about the rapid reversal of Biden-era policies and the potential long-term consequences of some directives.
Key Criticisms:
• Environmental groups condemned the rollback of renewable energy projects.
• Civil rights organizations expressed alarm over policies defining gender and reinstating the death penalty.
• International allies criticized the U.S. withdrawal from global agreements like the Paris Climate Accord.
Conclusion
President Donald Trump’s first day in office marked an aggressive push to fulfill campaign promises, undo the policies of his predecessor, and set a new course for the nation. Through a combination of executive orders and policy directives, Trump aimed to tackle issues such as energy independence, border security, and government reform.
While these actions resonated with his base, they also ignited significant debate, both domestically and internationally. As the administration progresses, the long-term impact of these decisions will undoubtedly shape Trump’s legacy and America’s trajectory.
References:
1. Axios: Trump’s Energy Policy
2. Fox News: Immigration Measures
3. Reuters: Climate Accord Withdrawal
President Trump has signed the following Executive Actions:
- Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions
- Regulatory Freeze Pending Review
- Hiring Freeze
- Return to In-Person Work
- Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living-Crisis
- Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements
- Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship
- Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government
