End to Birthright Citizenship, Other Executive Orders Trump Signed on Day 1 (FULL LIST)
Upon taking office for his second term, President Donald Trump wasted no time in fulfilling several promises from his 2024 campaign by signing a series of sweeping executive orders on his first day in office. These orders addressed a broad range of issues, from climate policy to immigration reform, to cultural issues, and international relations. Below is a summary of the key orders Trump signed, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. policy on various fronts.
1. National Emergency at the Southern Border
Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, positioning immigration as a central issue for his presidency. He emphasized the need for increased security and enforcement, targeting what he called “criminal aliens.” The declaration paves the way for military involvement in deportation efforts, particularly targeting those with criminal backgrounds.
2. Revocation of Birthright Citizenship
In a highly controversial move, Trump signed an executive order aimed at revoking birthright citizenship. This policy would seek to end the automatic granting of U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil, a right currently enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This order is expected to face significant legal challenges.
3. Pardons for January 6 Capitol Rioters
In a dramatic and polarizing move, Trump signed pardons for over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trump referred to those who were convicted or pled guilty in connection with the insurrection as “hostages,” framing the move as part of a broader effort to rectify what he viewed as politically motivated prosecutions. This move drew immediate backlash from critics who viewed it as undermining the rule of law.
4. Attacks on “Woke” Culture
Trump followed through on his pledge to combat “woke” culture by repealing various executive orders aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in government, businesses, and healthcare. He signed an order specifically targeting diversity programs, LGBTQ rights, and policies advocating for gender equality, calling for the government to only recognize “two genders: male and female.”
5. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord
Trump signed an executive order for the United States to exit the Paris Climate Accord, fulfilling a campaign promise to withdraw from the global agreement aimed at combating climate change. Trump has long criticized the accord, calling it unfair to the U.S. and economically disadvantageous.
6. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)
In another move aimed at distancing the U.S. from global institutions, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization. He argued that the U.S. was unfairly contributing more to the WHO’s budget than China, and he sought to reassert American sovereignty over its health policies.
7. TikTok and Tech Regulation
Trump signed an order delaying the enforcement of a law that would effectively ban TikTok, the popular social media app owned by a Chinese company. The pause gives the U.S. government 75 days to negotiate a potential sale of a 50% stake in the app to a U.S.-based entity, addressing national security concerns about Chinese data collection through the app.
8. Revocation of Sanctions on Israeli Settlers
In a controversial foreign policy move, Trump signed an order lifting sanctions on Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, particularly those accused of human rights violations against Palestinians. This act reversed an unprecedented decision by the Biden administration to impose sanctions on these settlers.
9. Cuba – Removal from State Sponsors of Terrorism List
Trump reversed one of Biden’s key foreign policy decisions by removing Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. This move was part of his broader approach to shifting U.S. policy in Latin America, where he focused on aligning more closely with certain regimes while distancing the U.S. from those he considered adversarial.
Trump’s first day in office marked the beginning of a second term characterized by bold and controversial executive actions aimed at reshaping American policies both at home and abroad. While some of these actions were expected based on his campaign promises, others, such as the pardons for January 6 rioters and the attempts to alter birthright citizenship, have already sparked intense debate and are likely to face legal challenges in the coming months. Trump’s executive actions have set the tone for a combative and populist approach to governance, with a strong emphasis on issues like immigration, national security, and cultural identity.
