Upon taking office, President Donald Trump swiftly signed a series of executive orders to initiate key actions aligned with his political agenda. His first set of directives focused on high-profile issues, including the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, border security, and national identity. Notably, President Trump issued pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol breach, signaling a commitment to overturn the legal consequences for many participants in the event.
One of the first major policy moves was declaring a national emergency at the southwest border, aiming to bolster security and address the ongoing immigration crisis. He also sought to challenge birthright citizenship by initiating an effort to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents, though this proposal would face legal challenges.
In addition to these measures, Trump focused on economic and public health issues. He temporarily halted a planned TikTok ban, granting a 75-day delay for further review. In terms of energy policy, he declared a national energy emergency, underscoring his administration’s focus on boosting domestic energy production and reducing dependence on foreign sources.
President Trump also sought to reverse several policies implemented by his predecessor, President Joe Biden. One of his first actions was an executive order to revoke around 80 of Biden’s earlier executive actions, signaling a clear shift in priorities. Another significant move involved withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the organization’s influence on global health policy. Similarly, President Trump directed the country’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, arguing that the accord unfairly burdened American industries.
Finally, President Trump issued an order requiring federal workers to return to in-person work, marking a shift back to pre-pandemic work conditions and signaling the administration’s stance on returning to normalcy. These executive orders laid the groundwork for the administration’s early policy changes and set the tone for its future governance.
