By: Shilpi Mohanty
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On Monday, January 20th, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. It has only been a month, but Trump has passed at least 50 executive orders since then. There are so many that it’s hard to keep track. Continue reading to see some of the key policies he has enacted in this brief period.
Trump has focused heavily on immigration regulations. He authorized military personnel to serve as border enforcement officers as part of his mass deportation plan (Barrow). In addition, he signed an executive order halting the refugee resettlement program, thereby allowing refugees to enter the U.S. only in cases beneficial to the country (Guardian). Trump stated that the U.S. lacks the resources to house many refugees (Guardian). He modified the interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship, specifying that children born in the U.S. will not automatically gain citizenship if their parents are not legally in the country, have not met requirements for duration of residence, or if the father is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Barrow).
Trump has signed executive orders that alter climate policies. He withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, which aimed to reduce carbon emissions (Barrow). He further issued an emergency order allowing the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite energy projects by bypassing wildlife protection regulations. Trump has advocated for fossil fuel use, reversing Biden’s policies promoting electric vehicles (Barrow). He halted the Green New Deal, which encouraged eco-friendly jobs and pollution reduction (BBC). Additionally, he signed an order to utilize oil, gas, and other natural resources from Alaska to promote fossil fuel use (BBC).
Trump also introduced provisions affecting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) regulations. He instructed executive branch agencies to eliminate DEI programs within 60 days, including diversity officer roles and environmental justice initiatives. He required these agencies to submit reports detailing past DEI actions, including lists of people who received DEI grants and contractors involved (Barrow). Another change eliminated the Equal Rights Act, which protected against discrimination in federal agencies (Barrow).
Trump has also enacted policies on transgender rights. He directed that U.S. government documents and passports recognize only two genders: male and female (Barrow). He restricted federal funding for programs promoting more than two genders and ensured that men are not housed in women’s prisons or detention centers (Barrow). He signed the “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” order, which limits access to medical care for transgender people, including hormone therapy and surgery (BBC). Moreover, Trump banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, citing constitutional concerns under Title IX (Guardian).
Finally, Trump implemented healthcare regulations. He halted Biden’s services that made Medicaid more feasible along with insurance that lowered costs of prescription medication (Barrow) . He removed the United States from the World Health Organization, also known as the WHO, and told the White House Office of Budget to reallocate WHO funding elsewhere (Barrow). This decision harmed the WHO, as the US is one of its top donors (Barrow).Â
In conclusion, within just one month of taking office, President Donald Trump has introduced numerous executive orders that significantly altered U.S. policies across various areas. His actions pertaining immigration, climate change, diversity, transgender rights, and healthcare portray his distinct approach to governing the United States. He is notably diverting from actions of previous presidents by regulating rights related to gender, immigration and utilization of fossil fuels. As he continues his presidency, more executive orders will likely be passed, further altering the landscape of the United States. Stay tuned to the news to stay informed about new policies that are being implemented.
Sources
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/29/donald-trump-executive-orders-signed-list