Donald Trump moved swiftly to impose his will on the U.S. government just hours after reclaiming the presidency on Monday, signing a series of executive orders that would significantly reshape the nation’s policies.
One of the most controversial moves was his decision to pardon about 1,500 of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The pardons, which included leaders of far-right groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, sparked outrage among law enforcement and lawmakers, many of whom had been directly impacted by the attack.
Key Executive Orders Signed by Trump:
- Pardon for Capitol Rioters
Trump pardoned around 1,500 individuals involved in the violent January 6th insurrection, including many members of extremist groups. This decision is expected to cause significant tension with law enforcement, who faced violent attacks that day. - National Emergency at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to halt illegal immigration. His actions included the shutdown of a program that allowed migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling appointments, as well as plans to deploy military personnel to assist with border enforcement. - Suspension of U.S. Refugee Programs
In one of his first major actions, Trump signed an order suspending U.S. refugee programs for at least four months. This led to the cancellation of flights for nearly 1,660 Afghans approved for resettlement in the U.S., including families of U.S. military personnel and individuals at risk of Taliban retribution for assisting U.S. forces.
The move left many in limbo, including unaccompanied minors and Afghans who helped the U.S. military during the 20-year conflict. Advocacy groups, such as the Afghan Evac Coalition, condemned the decision, warning that it would leave vulnerable Afghans stranded in dangerous conditions. - Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
Trump re-signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, branding it “one-sided” and detrimental to American interests. This move aligns with his broader agenda to boost fossil fuel production and roll back environmental regulations. - Revocation of Biden’s Executive Actions
Trump signed a series of orders to revoke policies implemented by the Biden administration. This included the end of protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the reversal of policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military. - Economic Measures
Trump aimed to reduce regulatory burdens on the oil and natural gas industries, lifting restrictions on mining and declaring a national energy emergency to promote domestic energy production. - Diversity and Inclusion Policies
Trump ordered the rollback of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This included efforts to limit policies that promote racial and gender diversity in federal agencies and required that only genders assigned at birth be recognized by the government. - Federal Hiring Freeze
Trump imposed a freeze on federal hiring, with exceptions for national security and military roles, and mandated that federal employees return to in-office work rather than continuing remote work. - Creation of the Department of Government Efficiency
Trump signed an executive order to create an outside advisory board, the “Department of Government Efficiency,” which will be led by Elon Musk and tasked with slashing federal spending.
